English Original
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.
中文翻译
宋朝大臣陈尧咨虽是文官，却酷爱射箭，且技艺不凡。
一日，他在自家场地练习，十箭能中八九，心中颇为得意。
环顾四周，他发现一位卖油的老翁站在一旁已有些时候。老翁对他的技艺只是微微点头，并未表现出特别惊讶。陈尧咨心中不悦，便将老翁叫过来问道：“你也懂射箭吗？我的技术难道不高明吗？”
老翁从筐中取出一只葫芦放在地上，用一枚铜钱盖住葫芦口。然后，他舀起一勺油，通过钱眼将油一滴一滴地倒入葫芦中，铜钱上却未沾丝毫油迹。
老翁对陈尧咨说：“我这不过是熟能生巧，谈不上什么高明。”陈尧咨笑了笑，便让老翁离开了。