画蛇添足的习语英汉翻译
英语寓言故事:画蛇添足
Draw a Snake and Add Feet to It 画蛇添⾜ Long long ago, several people had a jar of wine among them and all of them wanted to drink it by himself. So they set a rule that every one would draw a snake on the ground and the man who finished first would have the wine. One man finished his snake very soon and he was about to drink the wine when he saw the others were still busy drawing, so he decided to draw the feet to the snake. However, before he could finish the feet, another man finished and grabbed the jar from him, saying, "Who has ever seen a snake with feet?" The story of "Draw a snake and add feet to It." tells us going too far is as bad as not going far enough. 古时⼏个⼈分⼀壶酒。
他们都想独⾃喝完那壶酒,所以就定了⼀个规矩:每⼈在地上画⼀条蛇,谁画得最快,这壶酒就归谁。
有⼀个⼈很快就把蛇画好了。
他正打算喝这壶酒时,看见别⼈都还在忙着画,就决定给蛇再画上⼏只脚。
结果,他的蛇脚还没加完,另⼀个⼈已经把蛇画好了。
中英互译1
中英互译1.一举两得- Kill two birds with one stone2.杯弓蛇影- A figment of one's imagination3.画蛇添足- To overdo something and spoil it4.自相矛盾- Self-contradictory, inconsistent5.刻舟求剑- Focused on old outdated solutions6.对牛弹琴- Cast pearls before swine7.守株待兔- Waste time and effort waiting for something unlikely to happen8.虎头蛇尾- Strong start but weak ending9.杞人忧天- Fretting over imaginary troubles10.坐井观天- Limited view of the world11.画龙点睛- The finishing touch12.塞翁失马- Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise13.夜郎自大- Arrogant and ignorant14.九牛二虎之力- Tremendous strength15.一毛不拔- Stingy16.求仁得仁- One gets what he deserves17.铁杵成针- Perseverance can turn a hopeless situation around18.纸上谈兵- Armchair theorizing19.入乡随俗- When in Rome, do as the Romans do20.掩耳盗铃- Deceiving oneself21.心有灵犀一点通- Mutual understanding without communication22.路遥知马力,日久见人心- Time reveals all secrets23.两全其美- Best of both worlds24.打草惊蛇- Unnecessary action that alerts the enemy25.东施效颦- Imitating others without success26.言简意赅- Simple and to the point27.悬崖勒马- Stop short of the point of no return28.乐极生悲- Extreme joy begets sorrow29.多此一举- Superfluous, unnecessary30.抛砖引玉- Start a topic to invite other's opinions31.海底捞针- Finding a needle in a haystack32.骑虎难下- Hard to get off the tiger once you are riding it33.狐假虎威- To feign power34.画地为牢- Set boundaries35.授人以鱼不如授人以渔- Teaching someone how to do something is better than doing it for them36.无源之水,无本之木- Something without source or foundation37.虚虚实实- Half real and half imaginary38.有的放矢- Aimed and targeted39.明枪易躲,暗箭难防- Hidden danger is more difficult to handle40.守口如瓶- Keep one's mouth shut41.百年树人- Educate people that will last generations42.事半功倍- Half the effort, twice the effect43.束手无策- Unable to find a way out44.貌似天仙,实则蝼蚁- The appearance is beautiful, but the reality is insignificant45.亡羊补牢- Better late than never46.安居乐业- Live and work in peace and contentment47.鞠躬尽瘁,死而后已- Work hard until one's last breath48.碧血丹心- Loyalty and devotion49.画饼充饥- Deceiving oneself with false hope50.白驹过隙- Time flies51.得过且过- Coast along without planning for the future52.殊途同归- Different paths lead to the same destination53.人山人海- Crowded with people54.四海为家- Feel at home everywhere55.同舟共济- Work together when facing difficulties56.入木三分- Penetrate deeply57.一毫不差-Accurate to the smallest detail58.不可思议- Unbelievable59.顺手牵羊- Snatch something without effort60.水落石出- Truth will eventually come to light61.含沙射影- Imply something indirectly62.奉公守法- Be law-abiding63.扬眉吐气- Defeat an enemy and feel proud64.青梅竹马- Childhood sweethearts65.轻松自如- Easy and comfortable66.老马识途- Experienced and knowledgeable67.七上八下- Feel anxious68.星星之火,可以燎原- Small sparks can start a big fire69.万无一失- Foolproof70.心惊肉跳- Frightened and trembling71.四面楚歌- Enemies on all sides72.投桃报李- Return a favor with a greater favor73.不打不成器- Spare the rod, spoil the child74.五体投地- Admire and worship someone75.刮目相看- Look at someone with new respect76.一日千里- Rapid progress77.身体力行- Put into practice78.不遗余力- Spare no effort79.如鱼得水- Feel at home80.金玉满堂- Abundant wealth and treasures81.入情入理- Full of sentiment and reason82.恍然大悟- Suddenly understand something83.刮骨疗伤- Cure a deep-rooted problem84.石破天惊- Astonishing and shocking85.七手八脚- Busy and bustling86.受宠若惊- Surprised by special treatment87.不知所措- At a loss what to do88.假以时日- Given enough time, anything can be accomplished89.面目全非- Completely changed in appearance90.人云亦云- Follow the crowd blindly91.先发制人- Strike first to gain the upper hand92.独善其身- Only concerned with oneself93.风雨同舟- In the same boat through thick and thin94.放眼世界- Take a worldly view95.如履薄冰- Tread on thin ice96.垂头丧气- Feel dejected97.大惊小怪- Make a fuss over nothing98.力不从心- Unable to live up to one's aspirations99.视同路人- Treat someone as a stranger100.恩将仇报- Repay kindness with enmity。
英语故事-画蛇添足
英语故事画蛇添足画蛇添足中文画蛇添足战国时代有个楚国人祭他的祖先。
仪式结束后,他拿出一壶酒赏给手下的几个人。
大家商量说:“我们都来画蛇,谁先画好谁就喝这壶酒。
”其中有一个人先画好了。
但他看到同伴还没有画完,就又给蛇添上了脚。
这时,另一个人也画好了,夺过酒壶吧酒喝了,并且说:“蛇本来是没有脚的,你怎么能给它添上脚呢?”“画蛇添足”这个成语比喻做了多余而不恰当的事,反而把事情弄糟了。
画蛇添足英文Drawing a snake and Adding FeetIn the Warring States Period (zhàn guó战国,475-221BC), a man in the State of Chu (chǔ guǒ楚国) was offering a sacrifice to his ancestors. After the ceremony, the man gave a beaker of wine to his servants. The servants thought that there was not enough wine for all them, and decided to each draw a picture of a snake; the one who finished the picture first would getthe wine. One of them drew very rapidly. Seeing that the others were still busy drawing, he added feet to the snake. At this moment another man finished, snatched the beaker and drank the wine, saying, ‘A snake doesn’t have feet. How can you add feet to a snake?This idiom refers to ruining a venture by doing unnecessary and surplus things.。
画蛇添足英语作文70字
画蛇添足英语作文70字"Drawing a Snake and Adding Legs" 。
In Chinese culture, there's a saying about "drawing a snake and adding legs," meaning doing something unnecessary or superfluous. This idiom can be applied to variousaspects of life. 。
In essence, it warns against overdoing things or adding unnecessary elements. In English, this concept can be conveyed as "gilding the lily" or "over-egging the pudding." It highlights the importance of simplicity and efficiency.In modern contexts, this idiom can be seen in projectsor tasks where people add unnecessary features or details, complicating the process without adding value. For instance, in product design, adding too many features can confuse users and detract from the core functionality.Moreover, in interpersonal relationships, adding unnecessary complications or drama can strain relationships unnecessarily. Sometimes, simplicity and sincerity are more effective in fostering genuine connections.In conclusion, the idiom "drawing a snake and adding legs" teaches us the importance of simplicity, efficiency, and avoiding unnecessary additions. Whether in design, communication, or daily life, keeping thingsstraightforward often yields the best results.。
[画蛇添足]写成英文你会吗?
[画蛇添足]写成英文你会吗?1.画蛇添足Superfluous or paint a snake with feet2.hold a candle to the sun太阳底下点蜡烛多此一举;做徒劳无益的事 3. send coals to NEWCASTLE 向煤区运煤,做徒劳无益的事,多此一举,白费力气;画蛇添足4.bring owls to Athens(hold a candle to the sun) 多此一举 2009-01-29 22:04:43 补充:一了百了ONE FINISHED 一刀两段be cutoffatasingleblow一口回绝flatly refuse 一口否认flatly deny 一口咬定cling to one's view 一寸光阴一寸金an inch of time is worth an inch of gold 一不作,二不休seek neither fame nor gain (fortune) 等等.........参考: me我Don't "paint/gild the lily". 不要在百合花上涂金出自莎士比亚.Todaythe followings are really画蛇添足多此一举. Teach Bill Gate how to make money. Teach Roger Federer how to play tennis. Tell Tiger Woods what Golf is.参考: Ownwhatiswhat24 's wer is wonderful.It is me again! O_O How about these? To gild refined gold to paint the lilyTo throw a perfume on the violetTo ... ooth the iceor add another hue Unto the rainbowor with taper-light To seek the beauteous eye of heaven togarnishIs wasteful and ridiculous excess. King John. ACT IV Scene 2. - William Shakespeare' More 老外white folks will understand these. O_O 886- To draw a snake and add feet to it. - To ruin the effect by adding sth. ; to gild the lily.。
英语小故事50字:画蛇添足AddingFeettoa
One day, Mr. Lion holds a party. Many animals come and drink a lot of wine. At last there is a pot of wine. Who can drink it? They drink out an idea and decide to have a match-Draw a snake. If you finish first, you can get it.
Soon Mr.Wolf finishes drawing. “Yeah, I’ve finished. I’m No.1,” he says. But he draws again and says, “Oh, let me add feet and my snake.” At the time, Mr. Gorilla also finishes. He takes away the pot of wine and drinks, then he says, “That isn’t a snake. Snakes have no feet. I get the wine.”
画蛇添⾜
⼀天,狮⼦先⽣举⾏⼀场聚会,许多动物都来了,他们喝很多酒。
最后只剩⼀壶酒了。
让谁喝呢?它们想了想,有个主意。
它们⽐赛画蛇,谁最快画好,谁就喝这壶酒。
不⼀会,狼先⽣画好了。
“哈,我画好了,我是第⼀个。
”它说。
可是它⼜画了起来,它还说:“再给它加⼏只脚吧。
”这是猩猩先⽣也画好了。
它拿起那酒壶喝起来。
⼀边喝⼀边说:“那不是蛇,蛇是没有脚的,我赢了这壶酒。
”。
小学生英语小故事:画蛇添足
小学生英语小故事:画蛇添足Draw a Snake and Add Feet to ItLong long ago, several people had a jar of wine amongthem and all of them wanted to drink it by himself. So theyset a rule that every one would draw a snake on the groundand the man who finished first would have the wine. One man finished his snake very soon and he was about to drink the wine when he saw the others were still busy drawing, so he decided to draw the feet to the snake. However, before hecould finish the feet, another man finished and grabbed thejar from him, saying, "Who has ever seen a snake with feet?”The story of "Draw a snake and add feet to It.” tells us going too far is as bad as not going far enough.【译文】画蛇添足古时几个人分一壶酒。
他们都想独自喝完那壶酒,所以就定了一个规矩:每人在地上画一条蛇,谁画得最快,这壶酒就归谁。
有一个人很快就把蛇画好了。
他正打算喝这壶酒时,看见别人都还在忙着画,就决定给蛇再画上几只脚。
结果,他的蛇脚还没加完,另一个人已经把蛇画好了。
画蛇添足 中英对照
画蛇添足HuàshétiānzúDo not do something unnecessaryIdiom Story:古代几个人在地上比赛画蛇,谁先画好,谁就可以喝Gŭdài jĭ gè rén zài dìshàng bĭsài huà shé, shuí xiān huà hăo, shuí jiù kéyĭhē酒。
有一个人最先画好了。
他端起酒壶正要喝,右手jiŭ. Yŏu yí gè rén zuì xiān huà hăo le. Tā duān qĭ jiŭhú zhèng yào hē, yòushŏu继续画蛇,说:“我能够再给它添上几只脚呢!”可是jìxù huà shé, shuō: "wŏ nénggòu zài gĕi tā tiān shàng jĭzhī jiăo ne!" Kĕshì没等他把脚画完,另一个人已把蛇画成了。
那人把酒méi dĕng tā bă jiăo huà wán, lìng yí gè rén yĭ bă shé huà chéng le. Nà rén bă jiŭ抢过去,说:“蛇本来是没有脚的,你怎么能给它添qiăng guò qù, shuō: "shé bĕnlái shì méiyŏu jiăo de, nĭ zĕnme néng gĕi tā tiān脚呢”?这个故事告诉我们,做任何事情都要切合实际jiăo ne?" Zhè ge gùshi gàosu wŏmen, zuò rènhé shìqíng dōu yào qiè hé shíjì一点,不要做那些多余的事情。
英语寓言故事:画蛇添足_作文2250字_描写动物的作文_
英语寓言故事:画蛇添足寓言故事是文学体裁的一种。
含有讽喻或明显教训意义的故事。
它的结构简短,多用借喻手法,使富有教训意义的主题或深刻的道理在简单的故事中体现。
Draw a Snake and Add Feet to It 画蛇添足Long long ago, several people had a jar of wine among them and all of them wanted to drink it by himself. So they set a rule that every one would draw a snake on the ground and the man who finished first would have the wine. One man finished his snake very soon and he was about to drink the wine when he saw the others were still busy drawing, so he decided to draw the feet to the snake. However, before he could finish the feet, another man finished and grabbed the jar from him, saying, "Who has ever seen a snake with feet?" The story of "Draw a snake and add feet to It." tells us going too far is as bad as not going far enough.古时几个人分一壶酒。
他们都想独自喝完那壶酒,所以就定了一个规矩:每人在地上画一条蛇,谁画得最快,这壶酒就归谁。
画蛇添足文言文英语翻译
昔者,有二人游于山林之间,见一蛇,蜿蜒于草丛之中。
一人曰:“此蛇也,何不画之?”一人应声曰:“善。
”遂各执笔,就于地上,以指画蛇。
一人画蛇甚快,须臾之间,蛇已跃然纸上。
观者皆叹其工巧。
另一人亦画蛇,然其蛇形若龟,姿态笨拙。
众人皆笑之。
画蛇之人自觉不快,遂于蛇足处,添以一二笔,使蛇足更加丰满。
观者见之,无不窃笑。
未几,一人曰:“吾蛇足已画毕,请公等评之。
”众人皆曰:“蛇足虽添,然蛇形已失,此乃画蛇添足也。
”一人闻言,面红耳赤,赧然而退。
于是,二人各抒己见,争论不休。
一人曰:“画蛇添足,非但无益,反有害也。
蛇足已具,蛇形自显,何必多此一举?”另一人曰:“不然,画蛇添足,意在使蛇更加生动,以增观者之兴味。
虽蛇形未变,然蛇足之添,犹如画龙点睛,使画更加完美。
”二人争论良久,终无定论。
一人曰:“吾观蛇足之添,实为画蛇添足,无益有害。
公等以为然否?”众人皆曰:“然。
”一人默然良久,忽曰:“吾思之,画蛇添足,固非画蛇之本意。
然世间之事,往往如此。
初时以为添一物,能使事物更加完美,实则往往适得其反。
是以,凡事当求其本,不宜画蛇添足。
”众人闻言,皆有所悟。
一人曰:“公之言,深得我心。
今后遇事,吾必谨记,不可画蛇添足。
”自此,二人各有所得,不再争论。
然世人多以画蛇添足为诫,以防过犹不及,致生后悔。
译文:Once upon a time, there were two men who were traveling through the mountains. They saw a snake slithering among the grass. One of them said, "This is a snake. Why not draw it?" The other agreed and took up a brush, drawing the snake on the ground with his fingers.One of the men drew the snake quickly, and in no time, the snake was vividly depicted on the paper. The onlookers all praised his skill. The other man also drew a snake, but his snake looked like a tortoise, with an awkward posture. Everyone laughed at him.The man who drew the snake felt uncomfortable, so he added a few more strokes to the snake's legs, making them look more full. The onlookers saw this and couldn't help but laugh.Not long after, one of them said, "My snake's legs are now finished. Please, everyone, judge it." Everyone said, "Adding the legs to the snake is unnecessary. The snake's shape is already complete. This is adding feet to a drawing of a snake."The man who drew the snake, upon hearing this, blushed and retreated in embarrassment.Then, the two men each expressed their opinions, arguing without end. One said, "Adding feet to a drawing of a snake is not only useless but also harmful. The legs are already there, and the snake's shape is clear. Why do you need to do this extra work?" The other replied, "Not so. Adding feet to a drawing of a snake is to make the snake more lively, to enhance the viewer's interest. Although the shape of the snake hasn't changed, the added。
少儿成语双语故事:画蛇添足
少儿成语双语故事:画蛇添足中国成语博大精深,每一个成语的背后都有一个非常有意思的典故。
少儿成语双语故事,通过阅读经典的小故事,既学习成语,又学习英语,何乐而不为呢? 下面是小编为您收集整理的少儿成语双语故事:画蛇添足,供大家参考!少儿成语双语故事:画蛇添足【开心一刻】Adding Feet to a Snake画蛇添足One day, Mr. Lion holds a party. Many animals come and drink a lot of wine.一天,狮子先生举行一场聚会,许多动物都来了,他们喝很多酒。
At last there is a pot of wine. Who can drink it?最后只剩一壶酒了。
让谁喝呢?They drink out an idea and decide to have a match-Draw a snake.If you finish first, you can get it.它们想了想,有了一个主意。
它们比赛画蛇,谁最快画好,谁就喝这壶酒。
Soon Mr.Wolf finishes drawing.不一会,狼先生画好了。
"Yeah, I've finished. I'm No.1," he says."哈,我画好了,我是第一个。
"它说。
But he draws again and says, "Oh, let me add feet and my snake."可是它又画了起来,它还说:"再给它加几只脚吧。
"At the time, Mr. Gorilla also finishes.这时猩猩先生也画好了。
He takes away the pot of wine and drinks, then he says, "That isn't a snake. Snakes have no feet. I get the wine."它拿起那酒壶喝起来。
少儿英语小故事30字:Adding Feet to a Snake画蛇添足
少儿英语小故事30字:Adding Feet to a Snake画蛇添足One day, Mr. Lion holds a party. Many animals come and drink a lot of wine. At last there is a pot of wine. Who can drink it? They drink out an idea and decide to have a match-Draw a snake. If you finish first, you can get it.Soon Mr.Wolf finishes drawing. “Yeah, I’ve finished. I’m No.1,” he says. But he draws again and says, “Oh, let me add feet and my snake.” At the time, Mr. Gorilla also finishes. He takes away the pot of wine and drinks, then he says, “That isn’t a snake. Snakes have no feet. I get the wine.”画蛇添足一天,狮子先生举行一场聚会,许多动物都来了,他们喝很多酒。
最后只剩一壶酒了。
让谁喝呢?它们想了想,有个主意。
它们比赛画蛇,谁最快画好,谁就喝这壶酒。
不一会,狼先生画好了。
“哈,我画好了,我是第一个。
”它说。
可是它又画了起来,它还说:“再给它加几只脚吧。
”这是猩猩先生也画好了。
它拿起那酒壶喝起来。
一边喝一边说:“那不是蛇,蛇是没有脚的,我赢了这壶酒。
”。
英汉双语中“蛇”及其习语的文化内涵与翻译
英汉双语中“蛇”及其习语的文化内涵与翻译蛇是十二生肖之一,虽与人类的生活不是息息相关,但却为人们所熟知,它的形象也在人脑中存在已久,包含一定的内容,拥有丰富的内涵意义。
“蛇”文化渊源流长,在中国文化中可以追溯至遥远的上古时期,在英语文化中则可追溯至圣经时期。
从此后,蛇文化便逐渐丰富发展,形成今天的模式,这其中形成了许多蛇的习语或固定的延伸意义等。
在英汉文化中,蛇的象征意义差别甚大,所以本文特列举一些习语加以佐证。
有关蛇的习语在英汉互译中也就需要转换意义。
为了让人们更多地了解英汉蛇文化的差异,译者在翻译时也需根据具体情况采用不同的翻译策略。
标签:蛇习语文化意义翻译策略一、引言长期以来,人类与自然界中的各种动物关系密切,对各种动物的生活习性、特征也十分了解,因此对它们产生了丰富的联想。
蛇虽说不象猪那样能保障人类的肉食,但它的习性、特征完全为人类所熟悉,且人类对它产生了特定的情感并赋予其丰富的联想意义,进而用蛇的某些特征或联想意义来表达或解释周围客观世界及其相关事物。
这些表达法因其为人广泛使用而被固定了下来,形成了生动的习语和谚语,成为一国文化中不可缺少的组成部分。
在英汉语言中,蛇的形象和喻义既有相似也有差异。
英美人和大多数中国人都深知日常生活中常常会有提及蛇的时候,但要是真的见到了蛇总会有各种感情的表露,各种联想涌上心头。
但是,英汉语言中蛇文化有着不同的文化发展轨迹。
蛇在英汉语言中存在不同的文化涵义,有时即便在同一种语言文化中,有关蛇的文化内涵与联想意义也在不同时期呈现出多样性。
这些富含文化意义的习语在展现英汉两种语言独特韵味的同时,也给译者在选择翻译方法上带来了不小的困难。
一、蛇在汉语中的文化意义:蛇在汉语中的文化意义非常丰富,既有积极意义,又有消极意义,还有中性意义。
蛇积极的文化意义是人们喜闻乐见的,如在很多时候,蛇都被比作龙,蛇通常称作“小龙”,蛇蜕下的皮叫蛇蜕,也叫“龙衣”。
民俗农历二月二是蛇冬眠结束,开始出洞活动的日子,而这一天也被称作“龙抬头”。
英语小故事画蛇添足
★以下是为⼤家整理的英语⼩故事画蛇添⾜⽂章,供⼤家参考![⼩编提⽰]更多请点击以下链接:||||||Adding Feet to a SnakeOne day, Mr. Lion holds a party. Many animals come and drink a lot of wine. At last there is a pot of wine. Who can drink it? They drink out an idea and decide to have a match-Draw a snake. If you finish first, you can get it.Soon Mr.Wolf finishes drawing. “Yeah, I’ve finished. I’m No.1,” he says. But he draws again and says, “Oh, let me add feet and my snake.” At the time, Mr. Gorilla also finishes. He takes away the pot of wine and drinks, then he says, “That isn’t a snake. Snakes have no feet. I get the wine.”画蛇添⾜⼀天,狮⼦先⽣举⾏⼀场聚会,许多动物都来了,他们喝很多酒。
最后只剩⼀壶酒了。
让谁喝呢?它们想了想,有个主意。
它们⽐赛画蛇,谁最快画好,谁就喝这壶酒。
不⼀会,狼先⽣画好了。
“哈,我画好了,我是第⼀个。
”它说。
可是它⼜画了起来,它还说:“再给它加⼏只脚吧。
”这是猩猩先⽣也画好了。
它拿起那酒壶喝起来。
⼀边喝⼀边说:“那不是蛇,蛇是没有脚的,我赢了这壶酒。
”。
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画蛇添足
原文
楚有祠者,赐其舍人卮酒,舍人相谓曰:“数人饮之不足,一人饮之有余,请画地为蛇,先成者饮酒。
”一人蛇先成,引酒且饮之,乃左手持卮,右手画蛇曰:“吾能为之足。
”未成,一人之蛇成,夺其卮曰:‘蛇固无足,子安能为之足?’遂饮其酒。
为蛇足者,终亡其酒。
译文
楚国有个搞祭祀活动的人,祭祀完了以后,拿出一壶酒赏给门人们喝。
门客们互相商量说:“这壶酒大家都来喝则不足够,一个人喝则有剩余。
我们各自在地上比赛画蛇,先画好的人就喝这壶酒。
”有一个人先把蛇画好了,他拿起酒壶正要喝,却左手拿着酒壶,右手继续画蛇,说:“我能够给它画脚。
”没等他画完,另一个人已把蛇画成了,把壶抢过去说:“蛇本来是没有脚的,你怎么能给它画脚呢!”然后他便把壶中的酒喝了下去。
为蛇画脚的人,最终失去了酒。
成语寓意编辑
以后人们根据这个故事引申出"画蛇添足"这句成语,比喻有的人自作聪明,常做多余的事,反而把事情办糟了。
比喻节外生枝,多此一举,反而坏事。
英译版本
There was a man in the state of Chu who was engaged in sacrificial activities. After the sacrifice, take out a pot of wine for the door people to drink.
When the door people saw that there was only one pot of wine, they agreed with each other, "this pot of wine is not enough for several people to drink together; if one person drinks it, there will be some surplus. We can draw snakes on the ground together. Whoever draws the snake first will drink the pot of wine. "
So, we found branches and tiles and quickly drew them on the ground.
A man drew a snake first, and was about to drink it when he picked up the wine. He found that no one else had finished the painting, so he held the wine pot in one hand, and then drew again in the other hand. While drawing, he said triumphantly, "I can also add some feet to the snake! "
Before he had finished drawing the snake's feet, another man had finished drawing the snake. He grabbed the wine pot and said, "the snake has no feet. How can you draw feet for it? "
After that, he raised his neck and gulped up the wine. The man who added feet to the snake stood beside him, looking blankly at the loss of a chance to drink。
英译版本二:
In the past a family in the State of Chu made sacrificial offers to their ancestors, and after that they rewarded the people who helped in the ceremony with the pot of wine used in it.
从前,楚国有一户人家,祭完祖宗以后,把一壶祭祀时用过的酒,赏给帮助办事的人喝。
There were many helpers but only one pot of wine.
办事的人很多,可是酒只有一壶。
Who should drink it?
到底给谁喝呢?
Someone suggested:"Each person is to draw a snake on the ground. Whoever draws fastest and most lifelike will get the pot of wine."
有人提议说:“各人都在地上画一条蛇,谁画得快、画得像,就把这壶酒给谁喝。
”
Everyone thought this was a good idea.
大家都认为这个办法很好。
One man drew very fast, finished it in the twinkling of an eye, and was given the pot of wine.
有一个人画得很快,一转眼,就把蛇画好了。
这壶酒应该归他。
At this moment, he saw that the others had not yet finished, so he wanted to flaunt his skill once more.
可是,这时候,他看看别人都没有画好,就想再炫耀一下自己的能耐。
He said proudly: "How slow you are! Let me add a few snake feet."
他得意洋洋地说:“你们画得多慢啊,让我再画上几只蛇脚吧!”
Holding the wine pot in his left hand, he began to add feet to the finished snake with his right hand.
他左手拿着酒壶,右手又开始给画好了的蛇添上脚。
When he was just adding feet to the snake, another man finished his drawing.
当他正在添足的时候,另一个人却把蛇画好了。
He grabbed the wine pot at once, saying: "A snake has no feet. How could you add feet to it? The first one who finished drawing a snake is I, not you."
而且立刻把酒壶夺了过去,说: “蛇是没有脚的,你怎么画上了脚?第一个画好蛇的是我,不是你哩!”
Having said this, the man drank the wine with an easy conscience.
那人说完话,就心安理得地喝起酒来。