English Original
Towards the end of the Spring and Autumn period, King Fuchai of Wu, having defeated the state of Yue, planned to invade the State of Qi to expand his territory. However, he was so preoccupied with celebrating his victory that he remained unaware of Yue's preparations for revenge.
One day, while walking in his garden, the king saw his prince approaching, soaking wet and carrying a bow and arrows. "What a mess, my son. What happened?" asked the king.
The prince replied, "I was playing in the backyard when I heard a sound from the bushes. I looked and found a cicada."
"But then I also saw," he continued, "a mantis stalking the cicada from behind, while an oriole, in turn, was about to pounce on the mantis."
"So I drew my bow and aimed at the oriole. But I failed to notice the pond behind me. 'Plop!' I fell into the water and came out looking like this."
The king laughed, amused by the mantis that was so intent on catching the cicada that it ignored the danger from the oriole.
But the prince said, "Father, a similar situation is unfolding. You are only thinking of invading Qi without minding the threat from Yue." The king was displeased and sent the prince away. Yet, the prince was correct. Soon after, Yue struck back and defeated Wu. The mantis is likened to those who pursue immediate gains without considering the hidden dangers.
中文翻译
春秋末期，吴王夫差战胜越国后，计划入侵齐国以扩张领土。然而，他沉溺于庆功享乐，完全没有察觉越国正在养精蓄锐，准备复仇。
一日，吴王在御花园散步时，看见太子手持弓箭，浑身湿透地走来。"我儿，为何如此狼狈？"吴王问道。
太子回答："儿臣刚才在后花园玩耍，听到灌木丛中有声响，一看发现是只蝉。"
"但接着我又看到，"他继续说道，"一只螳螂正悄悄在蝉身后潜行，而一只黄雀又紧随其后，准备扑向螳螂。"
"于是我便张弓搭箭瞄准黄雀。却没留意身后的水池。'扑通'一声，我掉进水里，就成了这副模样。"
吴王听后大笑，觉得那只一心只想捕捉蝉而忽视了黄雀威胁的螳螂十分可笑。
但太子说道："父王，眼下正发生着类似的事情。您只想着攻打齐国，却没有提防越国的威胁。"吴王很不高兴，打发太子走了。然而，太子是对的。不久之后，越国果然反击并击败了吴国。"螳螂捕蝉"这个比喻，用来形容那些只贪图眼前利益而不顾身后隐患的短视之人。