【大紀元6月4日訊】
中山君設宴款待寵信，也有邀請子馬子期。不過，當湯羹端上來時，不知何故，卻漏了子馬子期的份兒。
子馬子期認為中山君故意悔辱他，一怒之下，投奔楚國，還做了楚王的顧問。
子馬子期始終不能忘懷那一羹之辱，便煸動楚王攻佔中山。中山君被逼出走。
逃亡的時候，中山君發覺後面有二人跟著他，便問道：「你們做甚麼？」
二人跪在地上回答說：「我們父親將近餓死的時候，大王曾適時地賜他食物。他垂危時吩咐我們，要捨命保護大王。因此，我們將跟隨大王，就是赴湯蹈火，也在所不辭。」
中山君聽了，喟然長歎道：「施予不在多少，最重要的是能不能濟人之困阨。怨恨不在深淺，最重要的是有沒有傷透人心。我因食物而亡國，也因食物而得二位忠義之士。」
Friend or Foe?
When the King of Zhongshan held a banquet for his favourtie officials, he also invited Ma Ziqi. However, when the soup was served, Ma Ziqi was accidentally left out.
Ma Ziqi thought that it was a calculated insult. He left for the State of Chu at once and soon became the King’s trusted counsellor.
Ma Ziqi could not get over the humiliating incident. He urged the king of Chu to invade Zhongshan. The King of Zhongshan had to take flight.
In his flight, the King noticed two men treading on his heels. Turning his head in suspicion, he demanded, “What are you doing?”
The men fell on their knees and said, “When our father was dying from starvation, you had duly fed him a meal. On his death bed he bade us give up our lives to save yu, so we’ll follow and protect you wherever you go.”
On hearing their pledge, the King sighed, “It doesn’t matter how much you give. It’s whether you’re giving it at the right time that’s most important. It doesn’t matter how deep the hatred is. It’s whether you’ve broken the person’s heart that really counts. I’ve lost my country over a banquet, but I’ve also gained two faithful men over a meal.”
轉自：《翀仔寓言網》@
(http://www.dajiyuan.com)
