Meaning: To amaze the world with a single brilliant sing as a bird does.
Usage: Mostly used as an adjective to praise someone’s performance as outstanding.
In the Spring and Autumn Period (春秋時代 / 春秋时代 770-476 B.C.), there was a king who enjoyed guessing riddles so much that he completely neglected his responsibilities for three years. Many of his liegemen tried to dissuade him from such laxity but were all ordered death by the king, and no one knew what to do with the situation. Finally, a liegeman named Chún Yú Kūn (淳于髡) came up with a plausible solution, which was to employ riddles as a mean to exhort the king.
One day, Chún Yú Kūn (淳于髡) said to the king: My lord, there is a special bird in our imperial court that has not been flying nor singing for three long years. Can you guess what kind of bird this is?
Recognizing the intention of Chún Yú Kūn (淳于髡), the king answered: Once flies, this bird will fly high into the sky; and once sings, it will amaze and startle everyone.
After this conversation, the king resumed to his duties and brought his kingdom back to prosperity and strength.
Recognizing the intention of Chún Yú Kūn (淳于髡), the king answered: Once flies, this bird will fly high into the sky; and once sings, it will amaze and startle everyone.
After this conversation, the king resumed to his duties and brought his kingdom back to prosperity and strength.