English Original
Ji Zi of the Shang Dynasty was a devoted seeker of Taoism. He traveled far and wide with a heavy purse, hoping to find a true master. Whenever he saw someone wearing a yellow cap, he would kneel and beg for teachings, mistaking them for a Taoist priest.
One day, a cunning swindler, eyeing Ji Zi's money, deceitfully claimed, "I am a Taoist priest with the true doctrine. Follow me, and I will teach you."
Believing him completely, Ji Zi followed the man faithfully. The swindler waited for a chance to steal the purse, while Ji Zi persistently asked for instruction.
Eventually, they reached a riverbank. Seeing a moored boat, the swindler hatched a plan. "The Tao is right here!" he declared.
"Where?" Ji Zi asked eagerly.
"At the very top of that mast," the swindler replied. "Climb up, and you will grasp it."
Ji Zi placed his purse at the base of the mast and hurriedly began to climb. The swindler clapped and shouted from below, "Up! Higher!"
When Ji Zi reached the top and could climb no further, he suddenly had an epiphany. Clutching the mast, he cried out joyfully, "I've found the Tao! I've learned it!"
Seizing the opportunity, the swindler snatched the purse and fled.
After climbing down, Ji Zi continued his joyful cries. Bystanders exclaimed, "Fool! He was a swindler who stole your money!"
Ji Zi replied, "He is my master! This too is his teaching!"
中文翻译
商朝的季子痴迷于道学。他带着大量钱财云游四方，寻访名师。只要见到戴黄帽子的人，他就以为是道士，跪拜求教。
一天，一个狡猾的骗子盯上了季子的钱袋，欺骗他说：“我是得了真传的道士，只要你跟着我，我一定将道学传授给你。”
季子信以为真，诚心跟随。骗子一直想下手偷钱，却苦无机会，而季子则不时催促他传授道法。
一天，两人来到江边。骗子看到一艘停泊的船，灵机一动，准备行动。他对季子说：“道就在这儿！”
季子忙问：“在哪儿？”
骗子说：“就在这条船的桅杆顶端。你爬上去，就能得道。”
季子将钱袋放在桅杆下，急忙抓住桅杆开始攀爬。骗子在下面拍手喊道：“上！再上！”
当季子爬到顶端、无法再上时，他忽然大彻大悟，抱着桅杆欢叫：“我得道了！我得道了！”
骗子趁机捡起钱袋跑掉了。
季子下来后，仍然欢叫不停。旁观者说：“嘿，傻瓜！他是个骗子，早就拿着你的钱跑啦！”
季子回答说：“他是我师傅！这也是他在教我啊！”