A Bird Startled by the Mere Twang of a Bow-String
This set phrase figuratively denotes those who have suffered disasters and so have a lingering fear when anything happen.
During the War Period ,in the Wèi State there lived a famous archer named Gēng léi.
One day,Gēng léi and the King of Wei standing on a high terrace saw some birds flying past.
At this Gēng léi said to the King:"I'll shoot a flying bird down for YourMajesty by drawing a bow with no arrow."
The King asked,"Is it possible that one's archery can attain such a level?"
A little later,a wild goose was flying from the east.
Gēng léi just drew his bow but didn't shoot an arrow.
As expected,the wild goose fell to the ground with the twang.
The King asked in surprise,"How can your archery reach such a high level?"
Gēng léi replied ,"This wild goose has been wounded."
The King got more surprised,asking,"How do you know it,sir?"
Gēng léi esplained,"This wild goose flew slowly and cried sadly.Its flying slowly suggested that it was still aching with the old wound; its crying sadly suggested that it had strayed long from its flock.When it heard the twang the wild goose had to flutter hard to fly high for its life.So it is evitably fell down with its old wound burst." |
