【大纪元6月4日讯】
中山君设宴款待宠信，也有邀请子马子期。不过，当汤羹端上来时，不知何故，却漏了子马子期的份儿。
子马子期认为中山君故意悔辱他，一怒之下，投奔楚国，还做了楚王的顾问。
子马子期始终不能忘怀那一羹之辱，便煸动楚王攻占中山。中山君被逼出走。
逃亡的时候，中山君发觉后面有二人跟着他，便问道：“你们做什么？”
二人跪在地上回答说：“我们父亲将近饿死的时候，大王曾适时地赐他食物。他垂危时吩咐我们，要舍命保护大王。因此，我们将跟随大王，就是赴汤蹈火，也在所不辞。”
中山君听了，喟然长叹道：“施予不在多少，最重要的是能不能济人之困厄。怨恨不在深浅，最重要的是有没有伤透人心。我因食物而亡国，也因食物而得二位忠义之士。”
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.”
转自：《翀仔寓言网》@
(http://www.dajiyuan.com)
