在古代的楚国，有一位名叫养由基的人，他以擅长射箭而闻名于世。他的箭术精湛无比，据说百步之外能射中细小的目标，且箭无虚发。然而，即使如此出色的射手，也曾遇到过一位对他提出挑战的智者。
这位智者对养由基说：“你虽然箭法高超，但若心神不定，恐怕也难以命中目标。”养由基听后哈哈大笑，认为对方不过是故弄玄虚。于是，智者便取来一片树叶，将其挂在树上，然后说道：“如果你能在百步之外射中这片树叶的中心，我就承认你的箭术确实无人能及。”
养由基欣然接受挑战，屏气凝神，拉弓搭箭，一箭射出，果然正中目标。智者微微一笑，又将树叶换了一个方向挂起，并要求养由基再次尝试。这一次，养由基却无论如何也无法射中那片树叶的中心了。无论他如何调整呼吸、瞄准角度，结果都差强人意。
养由基疑惑地问智者：“为何我第一次可以射中，第二次却失手了呢？”智者回答道：“因为你第一次充满自信，心中没有任何杂念；而第二次，你心中多了一丝犹豫与不安，这让你的箭偏离了目标。”
这个故事告诉我们，技艺固然重要，但心态同样关键。只有保持内心的平静与专注，才能发挥出最佳水平。
译文
In ancient Chu State, there was a man named Yang Youji who was renowned for his archery skills. His marksmanship was so precise that he could hit a small target from a hundred steps away without fail. However, even such an excellent marksman once encountered a wise man who challenged him.
The wise man said to Yang Youji, "Although your archery is superb, if you lose focus, it will be difficult for you to hit the target." Yang Youji laughed at this, thinking that the other person was just trying to show off. So the wise man took a leaf and hung it on a tree, then said, "If you can shoot the exact center of this leaf from a hundred paces away, I will admit that your archery skill is unparalleled."
Yang Youji happily accepted the challenge, took a deep breath, pulled the bowstring taut, and released the arrow, which indeed hit the center of the target. The wise man smiled faintly and hung the leaf in another direction, asking Yang Youji to try again. This time, no matter how Yang Youji adjusted his breathing or angle of aim, he failed to hit the center of the leaf.
Yang Youji asked the wise man in confusion, "Why did I succeed the first time but miss the second?" The wise man replied, "Because during your first attempt, you were full of confidence and had no distractions in your heart; during the second attempt, you had a hint of hesitation and worry, which caused your arrow to deviate from the target."
This story tells us that while skills are important, mindset is equally crucial. Only by maintaining inner calmness and focus can one achieve their best performance.
