English Original
In ancient times, a merchant from the State of Chu traveled to the State of Zheng to sell a precious pearl.
First, he crafted an exquisite casket from rare magnolia wood. He then perfumed it with osmanthus and prickly ash. The casket was further adorned with inlays of emerald-green jadeite and attractive rosy jade, making it exceptionally beautiful.
A man from Zheng saw the casket and was captivated by it. He paid a high price for the casket but returned the pearl inside to the Chu merchant.
People later ridiculed the Chu merchant, saying he was skilled at selling caskets but not pearls.
This story illustrates that excessive focus on external form can overshadow the essential value, leading to the opposite of the intended result.
中文翻译
从前，楚国有个商人到郑国去卖一颗珍贵的珍珠。
他先用名贵的木兰木制作了一个精巧的匣子，又用桂花和花椒将它熏香。匣子上还镶嵌了碧绿的翡翠和引人注目的玫瑰色玉石，装饰得极为华美。
一个郑国人看到这个匣子，非常喜爱，于是出高价买下了它，却把匣子里的珍珠退还给了楚国商人。
后来，人们都嘲笑这个楚国商人，说他善于卖匣子，却不善于卖珍珠。
这个故事说明，过分追求外在形式，反而会喧宾夺主，导致事与愿违。