Chinese Fables
画蛇添足 HUA SHE TIAN ZU Draw a Snake by Adding Feet to It
This story dates back as early as the State of Chu (770 - 476 B.C.).
One day in an ancestral temple after the Spring Sacrifice ceremony, an official offered his men a jar of rice wine. Since there was only enough for one person, they all agreed that each of them should draw a snake; and the quickest one could drink the wine.
They all began to draw snakes. In just a few minutes, one man finished, but seeing the others still busy with their brushes, he couldn’t help adding some strokes to improve his drawing.
When he finally finished his improvements, he found, to his great surprise, that someone else had already finished drawing and was ready to get the drink.
Before he could protest, he heard the others burst into laughter at his drawing, \at his snake! A snake with feet!” So the first one lost his chance, and the drink went to the second competitor.
Hence the expression \画蛇添足 HUA SHE TIAN ZU (Draw a snake by adding feet to it.)\
Moral: Do the superfluous thing causing a negative effect just like Carrying coals to New Castle .
黔驴技穷 QIAN LU JI QIONG
The Donkey in Guizhou has Exhausted its Tricks
Long long ago, there were no donkeys in central Guizhou, until a fellow fond of novelties brought one there in his boat. Since no one knew how to use a donkey, it was released into the woods.
Hearing a monster had arrived, the tiger went to have a look at the new arrival. Seeing such an exotic animal with its big ears and long legs, the tiger was scared. So he hid himself in the trees, and peeked at the donkey in awe.
One day, all of a sudden, the donkey yelped. The tiger was frightened into running far away, fearing that the monster would eat him. However, the donkey didn't chase the tiger, but continued to munch the grass as usual.
Several days later, after getting used to the donkey's yelp, the tiger tried to get close to the donkey. But still the donkey didn't turn and fight. When he saw the approaching tiger, he was so angry that he only kicked him away.
Realizing the monster knew nothing more than kicking, the tiger was so delighted that this time he jumped onto the donkey and ate it.
Hence the expression \黔驴技穷 QIAN LU JI QIONG (The donkey in Guizhou has exhausted its skills or tricks)\
Moral: One has done all one can; that is, all tricks or skills have been exhausted; similar to \
滥竽充数 LAN YU CHONG SHU Make up the Number by Posing as a Player
The legend has it that in the State of Qi (403—221 B.C.), King Xuan loved to hear the Yu (an ancient Chinese instrument) played by 300 hundred players. Once when there was a vacancy in the ensemble, a man coming from the south applied for the post and was accepted. But he didn't know how to play.
Entertained by the Yu music, the king was very satisfied and treated his Yu players very well. The man was pleased too, for he no longer worried about being discovered as an imposter.
Several years later King Xuan died. His son who took the throne also loved Yu music. But the new king preferred to hear the Yu played one by one. Hearing the news, the man fled.
Hence the expression \滥竽充数 LAN YU CHONG SHU (Make up the number by posing as a player)\
Moral: Hold a post without adequate qualifications, just like the man passing himself off as one of the players in the ensemble, simply to make up the number.
杞人忧天 QI REN YOU TIAN A Man in Qi Worrying about the Falling Sky
This legend dates back 3000 years in a small kingdom called Qi.
There was a man who always worried about everything around him. He was ridiculous because he always made a fuss and went too far.
He was restless day and night, fearing that someday the sky would fall and the earth would sink. He constantly worried about where to hide, and could neither eat nor sleep.
Then a kind-hearted man came to explain to him: the sky had its own track to go around, like the Moon and stars, and would never fall down. Even if it fell, it was so huge that no one could stop it. So there was no use worrying about it and doing harm to your health. Hearing that, the man finally felt relieved.
Hence the expression \ 杞人忧天 Qi Ren You Tian (A man in Qi worrying about the falling sky)\
Moral: Having unnecessary worries.
叶公好龙 YE GONG HAO LONG Lord Ye Claims Love for the Dragon
Once, a lord named Ye loved dragons (the most magnificent and powerful imaginary animal in China). He was so crazy about dragons that he had all his houses decorated with images of dragons.
In his house, one could find the walls painted with dragons, the pillars and roof beams carved with dragons, the doors and window frames engraved with dragons. What's more, all his personal belongings were embellished with dragons. For example, his clothes and quilts were embroidered with dragons, and his cups and dishes were painted with dragons. Even all his furniture was built to look like dragons. In other words, there were dragons everywhere in his house, it was the world of dragons.
Moved by the news that Lord Ye was a dragon enthusiast, the real dragon in heaven decided to visit Lord Ye's house. Flying down to earth, the dragon landed in Lord Ye's courtyard, and poked his head through a window looking into the hall. He wanted to see Lord Ye.
Seeing the real dragon, Lord Ye was so scared that his face turned pale, and his legs shivered. Instead of treating it as a guest, he dashed out of his house and fled away, without saying a word,
Hence the expression \ 叶公好龙 Ye Gong Hao Long (Lord Ye claims love for the dragon)\
Moral: Someone who claims to be fond of something but is actually afraid of it.