English Original
There is a story about a cicada in the Chinese classic, Chuang-Tzu. Once upon a time, a male cicada joyfully sang praises of summer, completely intoxicating himself without noticing a great danger approaching.
A couple of inches away, a huge mantis extended its saw-like forelimbs, preparing to attack the helpless cicada. The mantis, concentrating on its prey, did not realize that a hungry yellow bird was hiding under the leaves, less than half a foot behind.
The bird was sure it could capture the mantis, but it never dreamed that a mischievous boy standing under the branches was aiming at it with a hand-made bow. When the boy got the bird, he jumped up excitedly, only to hurt himself by stepping into a big hole.
The author's message is clear: if you think you are smart enough to take advantage of another, there is always someone smarter trying to take advantage of you. The self-declared smartest person often becomes the victim of an unexpected accident.
There are traps behind leaves and under branches. As long as you do not seek to take advantage of others, you will be smart enough to defend yourself.
中文翻译
中国经典《庄子》中有一个关于蝉的故事。从前，一只雄蝉欢快地歌颂着夏天，完全沉醉其中，没有察觉到巨大的危险正在逼近。
几英寸外，一只巨大的螳螂伸出它锯状的前肢，准备袭击无助的蝉。螳螂全神贯注于它的猎物，却没有意识到一只饥饿的黄雀正藏在树叶下，就在它身后不到半英尺的地方。
黄雀确信自己能捉住螳螂，但它做梦也没想到，一个淘气的男孩正站在树枝下，用自制的弓箭瞄准了它。男孩捉到鸟后，兴奋地跳了起来，却因踩进面前的一个大坑而伤了自己。
作者的寓意很明确：如果你认为自己足够聪明去占别人的便宜，总会有更聪明的人试图占你的便宜。自认为最聪明的人，往往成为意外事故的受害者。
叶后与枝下皆有陷阱。只要你不企图占他人便宜，你就有足够的智慧保护自己。