English Original
King Li of the State of Chu proclaimed to his people: "Should any emergency arise, a drum will be beaten as a signal. Upon hearing the drum, you must assemble immediately outside the palace gate."
One day, King Li, heavily intoxicated, passed by the drum stand and beat it randomly. Hearing the urgent sound, the people rushed from all directions to the palace gate, believing a crisis was at hand. They gathered in a dense crowd.
King Li sent a messenger to explain: "The King beat the drum just now, but there is no emergency. He was merely drunk and did it for amusement."
The people returned to their homes, feeling angry and deceived.
Months later, a real emergency struck the State of Chu. The palace drum sounded from dawn till dusk. Although the people heard it, they no longer cared and did not rush to the gate.
中文翻译
楚厉王向百姓宣告："倘若国家发生紧急情况，将以击鼓为信号。你们一听到鼓声，必须立刻到宫门外集合。"
一天，厉王喝得酩酊大醉，路过鼓架时，便胡乱地敲起鼓来。百姓们听到急促的鼓声，以为发生了危机，从四面八方涌向宫门，黑压压地聚集了一大片。
厉王派人传话："刚才国王击鼓，并无紧急之事。他只是喝醉了，觉得好玩才敲的。"
百姓们纷纷回家，心中既愤怒又觉得受了欺骗。
几个月后，楚国真的发生了紧急情况。宫门外的鼓从清晨响到夜晚。然而，百姓们虽然听到了鼓声，却不再理会，也没有赶往宫门。