One day, a man of the State of Chu was crossing a river by boat.

一天，有个楚国人坐船过河。

Due to carelessness, his sword which hung at his side fell into the water.

一不小心身上挂的宝剑掉进河坚去了。

Not in the least worried, he slowly took out a small knife and cut a mark on the side of the boat.

他一点儿也不着急，慢腾腾地拿出小刀，在船舷上刻了一个记号。

Someone on the boat asked him: "Why don't you jump into the water at once to fish for your sword?

有人问他:“为什么不赶快下水把它捞起来?

What's the use of making this mark on the side of the boat?"

你在船舷上刻这个记号有什么用啊?”

He pointed¹ to the mark on the side of the boat, saying unhurriedly:

他指着船舷上的记号，不慌不忙地说:

"There is no need to worry. My sword fell into the river at this marked place.

“不用着急。我的宝剑是从这个刻着记号的地方掉下去的。

As soon as the boat reaches the dock² and pulls in to shore,

等舟到了码头，靠了岸，

I will jump down from here to retrieve³ my sword."

我从这里跳下去，就能把宝剑捞上来。”