A Special Skill | 一技之长

English Original

Gongsun Long was a famous scholar who lived in the State of Zhao during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). He kept a circle of skilled people around him and often said, "A wise man should welcome anyone with a specialty."

One day, a man dressed in tattered and dirty clothes came to see him. "I have a special skill," the man said.

"What is it?" asked Gongsun.

"I have a loud voice and I'm good at shouting."

Gongsun turned to his followers and asked, "Who is good at shouting?" None of them answered. So, the scholar took the man in.

Some days later, Gongsun and his followers went on a trip. They came to a wide river and found the ferryboat was on the other side. No one knew what to do. Suddenly, Gongsun thought of the shouting expert. "Can you have a try?" he asked.

The man realized it was his chance to show his skill. He shouted to the ferryman as loud as he could, "Hey, ferryman, come here! We want to cross the river!" As his voice faded, the ferryman came to fetch them. Gongsun was very satisfied with his new follower.

Later, people used this story to describe anyone who has a special professional skill.


中文翻译

公孙龙是战国时期(公元前475-221年)赵国的一位著名学者。他身边聚集了一批有技能的人。他常说:“智者应欢迎任何有一技之长的人。”

一天,一个衣衫褴褛、满身污垢的人来见他,说道:“我有一项特殊的技能。”

公孙龙问:“是什么技能?”

“我嗓门大,擅长呼喊。”

公孙龙转向他的追随者们问道:“谁擅长呼喊?”无人应答。于是,这位学者收留了此人。

几天后,公孙龙和他的追随者们外出旅行。他们来到一条宽阔的河边,发现渡船在对岸。大家都束手无策。突然,公孙龙想起了那位呼喊专家,便转向他问道:“你能试试吗?”

此人意识到这是展示技能的机会。他用尽全力向船夫喊道:“嘿,船夫,过来!我们要过河!”他的喊声刚落,船夫便过来接他们了。公孙龙对这位新追随者非常满意。

后来,人们用这个故事来形容任何拥有特殊专业技能的人。

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