One day, a man of the State of Chu was crossing a river by boat. Due to carelessness,his sword which hung at his side fell into the water. Not in the least worried, he slowly took out a small knife and cut a mark on the side of the boat.
Someone on the boat asked him:
"Why don't you jump into the water at once to fish for your sword? What's the use of making his mark on the side of the boat?"
He pointed to the mark on the side of the boat, saying unhurriedly:
"There is no need to worry. My sword fell into the river at this marked place. As soon as the boat reaches the dock and pulls in to shore, I will jump down from here to retrieve my sword."
一天，有个楚国人坐船过河，一不小自，身上挂的宝剑掉进了河里。他一点儿也不着急，慢腾腾地拿出小刀，在船舷上刻了一个记号。
船上有人问他：
你为什么不马上下水把剑捞上来？你在船舷上刻记号有什么用啊？”
他指着船舷上的记号，不慌不忙地说：
“不必担心。我的剑是从这个刻着记号的地方掉下去的。等船一到码头，靠了岸，我就从这里跳下去，把宝剑捞上来。”