司(sī)马(mǎ)光(ɡuānɡ)

佚(yì)名(mínɡ)〔宋(sònɡ)代(dài)〕

群(qún)儿(ér)戏(xì)于(yú)庭(tínɡ),

一(yì)儿(ér)登(dēnɡ)瓮(wènɡ),足(zú)跌(diē)没(méi)水(shuǐ)中(zhōnɡ)。
众(zhònɡ)皆(jiē)弃(qì)去(qù),光(ɡuānɡ)持(chí)石(shí)击(jī)瓮(wènɡ)破(pò)之(zhī),

水(shuǐ)迸(bènɡ),儿(ér)得(dé)活(huó)。

Explanation of Ancient Chinese Poetry

Sima Guang and a group of children were playing in the courtyard. One child stood on a large vat and fell into the water after losing his footing. The other children ran away, but only Sima Guang hit the vat with a stone, allowing the water to flow out and saving the child’s life.

Annotations

庭 (Tíng)：Courtyard.

瓮 (Wèng)：A container with a narrow neck and a large belly.

皆 (Jiē)：All, entirely.

弃去 (Qì qù)：To flee.

光 (Guāng)：Refers to Sima Guang.

破 (Pò)：To open, break.

迸 (Bèng)：To burst out.

Creation Background

“Sima Guang” is a historical story about Sima Guang, who was a child playing in the backyard with several companions. One child climbed onto a large water tank and fell in. Seeing that his friend was about to drown, the other children were too frightened to react.

At this moment, Sima Guang quickly picked up a large stone from the ground and hit the water tank hard. The water gushed out, and the child was saved.

This story has a far-reaching impact and inspires people to remain calm, observant, and daring to try when facing difficulties and challenges in order to find the best solution to the problem. It also reveals the importance of “reverse thinking.”