Someone on the boat asked him:
有人问他：
He pointed to the mark on the side of the boat, saying unhurriedly:
他指着船舷上的记号，不慌不忙地说：
One day, a man of the State of Chu was crossing a river by boat. Due to carelessness, his sword which hung at his side fell into the water. Not in the least worried, he slowly took out a small knife and cut a mark on the side of the boat.
一天，有个楚国人坐船过河，一不小心身上挂的宝剑掉进河坚去了。他一点儿也不着急，慢腾腾地拿出小刀，在船舷上刻了一个记号。
"There is no need to worry. My sword fell into the river at this marked place. As soon as the boat reaches the dock and pulls in to shore, I will jump down from here to retrieve my sword."
“不用着急。我的宝剑是从这个刻着记号的地方掉下去的。等舟到了码头，靠了岸，我从这里跳下去，就能把宝剑捞上来。
"Why don't you jump into the water at once to fish for your sword? What's the use of making this mark on the side of the boat?"
“为什么不赶快下水把它捞起来？你在船舷上刻这个记号有什么用啊？