《列子·汤问》英译

Xue Tan had been learning vocal music from Qin Qing, and after a short time he thought he had mastered his teacher’s virtuosity and told his teacher that he was going home. His teacher Qin Qing didn’t urge him to stay.

The farewell party took place by the road side not far from the city on the day of Xue’s departure. During the dinner, Qin Qing sang a farewell song for his pupil. So accompanied by the melody of a plucked instrument, the vocalist began.

[Oh! What a magnificent song! It was simply a miracle of vocal music.] The nearby woods were shaken by his voice, and the branches of the trees rocked and swayed on the waves of his song. [The leaves of the trees felt proud because the singing of this wonderful vocalist was accompanied by their rhythmic rustling.] His voice reached the sky where the white clouds paused to enjoy his touching singing.

Xue Tan who felt ashamed, changed his mind and asked sincerely to continue his study. From that moment on he never asked to go home again.