守(shǒu)株(zhū)待(dài)兔(tù)

韩(hán)非(fēi)子(zǐ)〔先(xiān)秦(qín)〕

宋(sònɡ)人(rén)有(yǒu)耕(ɡēnɡ)者(zhě)。田(tián)中(zhōnɡ)有(yǒu)株(zhū)。
兔(tù)走(zǒu)触(chù)株(zhū),折(zhé)颈(jǐnɡ)而(ér)死(sǐ)。
因(yīn)释(shì)其(qí)耒(lěi)而(ér)守(shǒu)株(zhū),冀(jì)复(fù)得(dé)兔(tù)。
兔(tù)不(bù)可(kě)复(fù)得(dé),而(ér)身(shēn)为(wéi)宋(sònɡ)国(ɡuó)笑(xiào)。

Explanation of Ancient Chinese Poetry

In the Song state, there was a farmer whose field contained a stump. One day, a fast-running hare hit the stump, breaking its neck and dying. So, he abandoned his tools and waited by the stump day and night, hoping to get another hare. However, no more hares came, and he was ridiculed by the people of the Song state.

Annotations

株（zhū）：Tree stump.
走（zǒu）：Run.
触（chù）：Bump into.
折（shé）：Break.
因（yīn）：So, then.
释（shì）：Release, let go.
耒（lěi）：An ancient farming tool.
冀（jì）：Hope.
复（fù）：Again.
得（dé）：Obtain.
身（shēn）：Oneself.
为（wéi）：By, indicating passivity.

Creation Background

“Waiting for a Hare by the Stump” is a fable that depicts the experience of a farmer in the Song Dynasty. One day, while working in his field, he encountered a rabbit that ran into a tree stump, breaking its neck and dying.

Seeing this, the farmer abandoned his farming tools and waited beside the stump, hoping for the same good luck again. However, the rabbit never appeared again. This story has a profound meaning, warning people not to abandon persistent efforts due to a momentary stroke of luck.

The farmer was deceived by instant luck and abandoned his hard work, resulting in nothing but a laughingstock. It also tells us that accidental success cannot last, and true success requires continuous effort and patience.