Although Chen Yaozi was a civil official in the Song Dynasty, he loved archery and was quite skilled at it.
One day, while practicing in his own field, he hit the target eight or nine times out of ten. He became quite complacent.
Looking around, he noticed an old oil-seller standing nearby. The old man merely nodded slightly at his skills, showing no particular amazement. Annoyed, Chen Yaozi called the old man over and asked, "Do you know archery? Aren't my skills brilliant?"
The old man took a gourd from his wicker basket, placed it on the ground, and covered its opening with a copper coin. He then scooped a spoonful of oil and began to pour it into the gourd through the coin's hole, drop by drop, without wetting the coin.
The old man said to Chen Yaozi, "This is only because practice makes perfect, nothing so brilliant." Chen Yaozi laughed and sent him away.