Chinese idiom – 叶公好龙 yè gōng hào lóng
Here is a translation of the story of “Ye Gong Hao Long” (叶公好龙) into English:
Once upon a time, there was a nobleman named Ye Gong who had a profound admiration for dragons. He adorned his home with carvings and paintings of dragons, and he spoke fondly about them to all who visited. He even claimed that if he had the chance to meet a real dragon, he would be overjoyed.
Word of Ye Gong’s love for dragons spread far and wide, eventually reaching the ears of a real dragon who was flying through the heavens. Intrigued by Ye Gong’s devotion, the dragon decided to visit him.
One day, the dragon appeared at Ye Gong’s estate in a magnificent display of clouds and mist. Its scales glinted in the sunlight, and its eyes sparkled with wisdom and power. The dragon’s appearance was truly awe-inspiring.
However, when Ye Gong saw the real dragon, he was terrified. His face paled, and his heart pounded in his chest. He fled from the dragon in panic, screaming and begging it to leave.
The dragon was disappointed and confused. It had come in response to Ye Gong’s professed love for dragons, but Ye Gong’s fear and panic revealed that his admiration was only superficial.
The story of “Ye Gong Hao Long” teaches us the importance of authenticity and sincerity. It warns us against pretending to love something just for its appearance or reputation, without truly understanding or appreciating its essence.
