Chinese proverbs are rich and they are still widely used in Chinese people’s daily life. 31 these proverbs there are often interesting stories. For example, the proverb, “plucking up a crop 32 (help) it grow”, is based on the following story.
It is said that a short—tempered man in the Song Dynasty (960—1279) was very anxious to help 33 rice crop grow up quickly. He was thinking about 34 day and night. But the crop was growing much slower than he expected.
One day, he came up with an idea 35 he would pluck up all of his crop a few inches. He did so the next day.
He was very tired 36 doing this for a whole day, 37 he felt very happy since the crop did “grow” 38 (high).
His son heard about this and went to see the crop. Unfortunately the leaves of the crop began to wither.
This proverb is saying we have to let things go in their 39 (nature) course. Being too anxious to help an event develop often 40 (result) in the contrary to our intention.