Qin Qing was a famous singer in the State of Qin.

　　秦青是秦国著名的歌唱家。

　　A young man named Xue Tan acknowledged him as teacher to learn singing and playing musical instruments from him.

　　有个名叫薛谭的青年，拜他为师，向他学习演唱和弹奏。

　　Xue Tan learned for a certain period of time, but before he had mastered the skill of his teacher, he thought that he had learned all.

　　薛谭学习了一段时间，还没有把师父的本领学到手，就自以为都学好了。

　　One day, Xue Tan planned to leave his teacher for home. His teacher knew he was leaving and did not urge him to stay.

　　一天，薛谭打算离开老师回家。老师知道他要走，就没有挽留他。

　　The day Xue Tan said goodbye to his teacher and set out for home, Qin Qing accompanied him on his way and gave him an especial farewell dinner outside the city. During the dinner, Qin Qing beat time and sang a solemn and stirring song. His resounding voice shook the trees along the road; his beautiful singing kept the clouds lingering in the sky.

　　薛谭告别老师，动身回家的那天，秦青送他出城，并在城外特地为他饯行。席间，秦青打着拍子，唱起了悲壮动人的歌曲。那高亢的歌喉，震颤了路旁的树木；那美妙的歌声，留住了天上的行云。

　　Xue Tan heard the singing and felt ashamed of himself. He hurriedly knelt down before his teacher and apologized:

　　薛谭听了，感到很惭愧，急忙跪着向老师道歉，说：

　　"Master, after I heard you sing, I can find no place to hide myself for shame. I am ashamed beyond words. I am far from mastering your skill."

　　“老师，学生听了您的演唱，真是无地自容，羞愧难言！我还远远没有学会老师的技艺呢！”

　　He asked his teacher to forgive him and allow him to stay and resume his learning. From then on, he learned humbly and dared not ask to go home. Later, he said to everyone he met:

　　他请求老师宽恕，同意他留下来，继续学习。从此，他虚心学习，再也不敢要求回家了。后来，他逢人便说：

　　"To learn a skill, how can one be conceited and learn only half-baked knowledge?"

　　“学习技艺哪能骄傲自满，一知半解呢！”