杯弓蛇影
A bow reflected in a cup
Read, find evidence, and explain in your own words.
Read
杜宣到朋友家做客。朋友请他喝酒，他低头看杯子，忽然发现里面像有一条小蛇。他心里害怕，却没有把疑问说出来。喝过以后，他总想着杯中的影子，越想越不安。
Du Xuan visited a friend, who offered him wine. Looking into his cup, he thought he saw a little snake. He was frightened but did not voice his concern. Afterwards, the image stayed in his mind and worried him more and more.
朋友知道这件事后，仔细查看屋里。墙上挂着一张弓，弓的影子正好映在杯中。朋友又把杯子放到原来的位置，请杜宣看看：你看见的不是蛇，是墙上那张弓的倒影。
After learning what had happened, the friend examined the room. A bow hung on the wall, and its reflection fell across the cup. The friend put the cup back in its original place and showed Du Xuan that the shape came from the bow, not a snake.
杜宣看看墙上的弓，再看看杯子，终于明白了。他原先只凭一个模糊的影子就作出判断，又一直没有询问。找到可以核对的线索后，他才放下了这件心事，知道自己误会了。
Du Xuan looked from the bow to the cup and understood. He had judged from a vague shape without asking about it. Once he could check the evidence, he let go of that particular worry and recognised his mistake.
Explore the text
故事据《风俗通义》的记载改写，保留弓影被误认的关键情节。害怕时可以说出来，再找证据。这不是说身体不舒服都由想象造成，也不是要求孩子嘲笑害怕的人。
This adapts an account in Comprehensive Discussions of Customs, keeping the mistaken reflection at its centre. Share a fear and look for evidence. The story does not mean that all illness is imaginary or that frightened people deserve ridicule.
Words to practise
杯弓蛇影心