Ping Gong of Jin ordered someone to make a stringed musical instrument. The strings of the instrument were of the same size, with no difference between the small strings and the large string.

晋平公令人制作了一张琴。琴上的弦，粗细一个样，大弦、小弦没有区别。

After the instrument was made. Ping Gong of Jin asked Shi Kuang, an official in charge of music, to tune the instrument. Shi Kuang spent a whole day doing it, but failed to tune out a melody.

琴制作好以后，晋平公让乐官师旷来调音。师旷调了一整天，也没调出个曲调来。

Ping Gong blamed Shi Kuang for his incompetence. Shi Kuang explained:

晋平公责怪师旷不会凋琴。师旷解释说:

"The large string of a musical instrument is like the king of a state, and the small strings are like his subordinates. The large string and the small strings have their own functions. Only by coordinating with one another can they compose temperament, and only by being orderly can they play harmonious and pleasant music. Now there is no difference in size between the large string and the small strings. This ruins the system and regularity which they should have. How can I tune an instrument like this?"

"一张琴，大弦就好比国君，小弦就好比臣子。大弦小弦各有各的功能，它们彼此配合，才能合成音律。大弦小弦有条不紊，才能奏出和谐悦耳的音乐。您现在把琴弦做成大小不分，破坏了它们应有的系统性与规律性。这样的琴，您让我怎么调呀!"

编辑:Liuxuepaper.Com

作文地带知识拓展:

• ‌“故事”的英文翻译是“Story”‌。‌

  Story是一个英语单词，主要用作名词、动词，作名词时翻译为“故事；小说；描述；新闻报道；来历；假话；层；一种测量单位（1 story 等于 3.3 米）；(Story) 斯托里（人名）”，作动词时翻译为“用历史故事画装饰；说谎”。

  故事是一种文学体裁，侧重于事件发展过程的描述，强调情节的生动性和连贯性，适合口头讲述。‌故事可以是真实发生的事情，也可以是虚构的情节。它们通常与人类的历史、文化传统和价值观念密切相关，通过记忆和传播，影响着社会的性格形成和文化形态。‌