English Original
During the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 B.C.), there lived a renowned music master named Yu Boya. He possessed superb skill in playing the guqin (a seven-stringed zither), yet felt he could not fully express the profound impressions of the world through his music.
His teacher, understanding his frustration, took him by boat to Penglai Island in the East China Sea, a fabled abode of immortals. There, Boya immersed himself in nature: the roaring waves leaping skyward, sea birds circling with pleasant cries, and lush green forests. A harmonious and intriguing feeling welled up within him, as if he were hearing the music of nature itself. He took up his instrument and played, freely incorporating the beauty around him into his music, reaching a realm of artistry he had never before experienced. "You have mastered the art," his teacher declared.
One evening, on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, Boya was boating under a bright moon and a cool breeze. Myriad thoughts filled his mind, and he began to play. His melodious music was so captivating that a man on the shore shouted "Bravo!"
Boya emerged to find a woodcutter, Zhong Ziqi, standing on the bank. Recognizing a kindred spirit who truly understood his art, Boya eagerly invited him aboard. When Boya played a piece eulogizing high mountains, Zhong said, "Wonderful! The melody is as magnificent and dignified as Mount Tai reaching for the sky!" When Boya played a piece depicting turbulent waves, Zhong exclaimed, "Wonderful! It is as vast and mighty as a great river!"
Overjoyed, Boya cried, "Bosom friend! You are truly my bosom friend!" From that day, they became the closest of companions.
This story from The Works of Liezi gave rise to the idiom "high mountains and flowing waters" (gāo shān liú shuǐ). It refers to a deep, understanding friendship between kindred spirits, or to describe supremely beautiful and resonant music.
中文翻译
春秋时期（公元前770-476年），有一位著名的琴师名叫俞伯牙。他琴艺高超，但总觉得无法通过琴声出神入化地表达自己对世间万物的深刻感受。
他的老师知晓其心思后，便带他乘船前往东海上的蓬莱仙岛。在岛上，伯牙沉浸于自然之中：波涛汹涌，浪花激溅；海鸟盘旋，鸣声悦耳；山林树木，郁郁葱葱。一种和谐而奇妙的感觉在他心中油然而生，仿佛听到了大自然本身的乐章。他情不自禁地取琴弹奏，将周遭的美景融入琴声，达到了一种前所未有的艺术境界。老师赞叹道：“你已经掌握了琴艺的真谛。”
一年中秋之夜，明月当空，清风徐徐，伯牙乘船游览。他思绪万千，于是抚琴而奏。琴声悠扬动听，引得岸上一人高声喝彩：“妙哉！”
伯牙出船相见，发现是一位名叫钟子期的樵夫。伯牙看出此人乃是知音，能深切理解他的艺术，便热情地邀他上船。当伯牙弹奏一曲赞美高山的旋律时，钟子期说：“真好！琴声雄伟庄重，仿佛高耸入云的泰山！”当伯牙弹奏表现奔腾波涛的曲子时，钟子期赞叹道：“真好！琴声宽广浩荡，如同滔滔江河！”
伯牙欣喜若狂，激动地说道：“知音！你真是我的知音啊！”自此，两人成了莫逆之交。
这个出自《列子·汤问》的故事，衍生出了成语“高山流水”。它比喻知己或知音之间深厚默契的友谊，也用来形容优美动人的音乐。