中國寓言故事雙語版 第83期:庭燎招賢
Huan Gong, King of the State of Qi and the first overlord in the Spring and Autumn Period, in order to show his sincerity to enlist able and virtuous men and scholars from various places, had a bright torch lit in front of his palace day and night.
春秋時期的第一霸王齊桓公，爲了表明自己招賢納士的誠意，在宮廷前燃起了明亮的火炬，準備日夜接待各地前來的人才。
But the torch had been burning for one whole year, and yet nobody came.
但是，火炬燃燒了整整一年，也沒有人前來求見。
One day, a villager from the eastern suburb of the capital wished to have an audience with Huan Gong, claiming that he had the ability to recite the multiplication table.
一天，來了一個國都東郊的鄉下人，聲稱自己有念九九算術口訣的才能，要求拜見齊桓公。
When Huan Gong heard of this, he thought it was very funny and sent an officer to tell the villager:
齊桓公聽完報告，覺得很可笑，派傳令官告訴鄉下人:
"How could you hope to see the King just because you can recite the multiplication table?"
“難道你憑會念九九算術口訣，就想來見國王嗎?”
The villager replied: "I hear that the torch before the palace has been burning for one year, yet nobody came.
鄉下人回答說:“我聽說，宮前火炬燃燒了一年，也沒有人來求見。
This is because His Majesty is a king of great talent and bold vision.
這是因爲國王是個雄才大略的君主。
All the talented men near and far couldn't be certain that His Majesty would have a high opinion of them, so they dared not come to see you.
四方人才都以爲君主不一定能看得上他們，所以不敢來求見。
My knowledge of the multiplication table is truly trivial, but if His Majesty could receive me with courtesy, then His Majesty need not worry that those with real ability and learning would not come."
我的九九算術口訣，的確是微不足道的，但是如果國王能以禮接待我，那麼還怕那些有真才實學的賢士能人不願來嗎?”
He then continued: "Mount Tai is huge because it never expels any single small stone; the sea is deep because it gathers together every small stream.
接着說:“泰山之所以大，那是因爲它從來不排斥每一顆小石子;江海之所以深，那是因爲它彙集起每一條小溪流。
The Book of Songs says: `The wise kings of ancient times often went to peasants who cut firewood and grass to ask for their advice. Only this way can you pool the wisdom of the masses."'
《詩經》中說過，‘古代英明君王有事，都去請教砍柴割草的農夫，只有這樣才能集思廣益。”，
Hearing this, Huan Gong of Qi repeatedly nodded assent, and accorded this villager a grand reception.
齊桓公聽了，連連點頭稱是，立刻以隆重的禮節，接待了這個鄉下人。
As expected, within one month, many able and virtuous men from all places came one after another to see Huan Gong.
果然，不出一個月，四方賢士能人都紛紛前來求見齊桓公。
