从前有个鲁国人靠做木工为生。有一次主人需要一根很长的竹子,就派这个鲁国人进山砍伐。鲁国人砍了一根又粗又长的竹子,兴致勃勃地扛起来往回走,心想:“这次主人家一定会多给些赏金。”可是到了城门口,麻烦来了,毛竹太长,他把毛竹竖起来拿,被城门卡住了;他把毛竹横着拿,又被两边的城墙卡住了。 In the past, there was a man from Lu who depended on carpentry for a living. Once the owner needed a long bamboo, he sent the Lu people into the mountains to cut down. The Lu people cut a long, thick bamboo and happily picked it up and walked back. They thought: “This time, the host family will definitely give more rewards.” But at the gate of the city, the trouble came. The bamboo was too long. He took the bamboo upright and was caught by the gate; he took the bamboo sideways and was stuck on both sides of the wall.