Chinese idiom – 卧薪尝胆 wò xīn cháng dǎn

Here is a translation of the story of “Wo Xin Chang Dan” (卧薪尝胆) into English:

Once upon a time, there was a king named Goujian of the Yue kingdom. He ruled over a prosperous land but faced a formidable rival in the neighboring Wu kingdom. Unfortunately, in a series of battles, King Goujian was defeated and captured by the Wu kingdom.

Upon his capture, King Goujian was subjected to humiliation and harsh treatment. He was forced to serve as a servant to the Wu king and endured many hardships. However, instead of being broken by these challenges, King Goujian resolved to one day regain his kingdom and defeat his enemies.

To keep himself focused on his goal, King Goujian adopted a rigorous regimen. He slept on a bed of brushwood, which was uncomfortable and painful, to remind himself of the humiliation he had suffered. Every day, he would taste gall (bile), a bitter substance, to further strengthen his resolve and determination.

During his years of captivity, King Goujian also studied carefully the military tactics and strategies of the Wu kingdom. He learned from his mistakes and devised plans for the future.

After many years of hardship and perseverance, King Goujian finally had the opportunity to escape and return to his kingdom. With a renewed spirit and strengthened resolve, he led his army to battle against the Wu kingdom. Thanks to his careful planning and the support of his people, King Goujian was able to defeat the Wu army and regain his kingdom.

The story of “Wo Xin Chang Dan” teaches us the importance of perseverance, resilience, and learning from our mistakes. It reminds us that even in the face of adversity and humiliation, we should never give up and always strive to improve ourselves.