The Vigil by the Tree Stump 守株待兔

守株待兔

从前宋国有个农民，他的田地中有一颗树桩。一天，一只跑的飞快的兔子撞在了树桩上，扭断了脖子而死。从此，那个农民荒废了他的耕作，天天等在树桩旁，希望能再得到只兔子。当然，兔子是没等到，他自己却成了宋国的笑柄。 (《韩非子》)

The vigil by the tree stump

In the state of Song there was a farmer in whose fields stood a tree stump. A hare, which was running very fast, dashed against the stump and died, having broken its neck. So the farmer abandoned his plough and waited by the tree stump, hoping to get another hare. He did not get his hare but became a laughing stock in the state of Song. (《Hanfeizi》)

株 tree stump 待 waiting for 兔 hair 农民 farmer 田地 field 树桩 tree stump 脖子 neck 荒废 abandon 耕作 plough 笑柄 laughing stick