成语故事：一鸣惊人

King Jingzhuang（荆庄王） ruled for three years but neglected state affairs, indulging in pleasures.

Cheng Gongjia（成公贾） came to advise him, and the king asked:

“The censor (the officer who forbids advice) does not allow remonstrations. Why do you dare?”

Gongjia（公贾） replied:

“I do not dare to admonish; I only wish to share joy with Your Majesty.”

The king asked:

“Why not appoint a censor?”

Gongjia said:

“There is a bird resting on the southern mountain. For three years it neither moves, flies, nor sings. What kind of bird is this?”

The king shot at it.

Gongjia explained:

“This bird does not move for three years because it is focusing its will; it does not fly because it is growing its wings; it does not sing because it is observing the people’s conditions. Although it neither flies nor sings now, in the future it will surely soar into the clouds and amaze the world with its first cry.”

The next day, King Jingzhuang began appointing capable people and reformed the government, much to the joy of his ministers.

Let’s review this idiom:

  • Idiom: 一鸣惊人
  • Pinyin: yì míng jīng rén
  • Literal meaning: The bird’s single cry startles everyone.
  • Extended meaning: Refers to someone who is usually silent and unnoticed but suddenly achieves something amazing and becomes famous overnight.

That’s all for today’s idiom story. I hope one day you will also “一鸣惊人（yì míng jīng rén）.” See you next time!

Introduction of Related Figures：

  • King Jingzhuang（荆庄王）: King Jingzhuang, surnamed Mi, clan name Xiong, given name Lü (also written as Lv or Lü), was a ruler of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn period and one of the Five Hegemons of that era.