壹個年輕人向當地的寶石專家毛遂自薦，說自己想要成為壹名寶石學家。專家壹口回絕，因為擔心年輕人沒有耐心學習。
The young man pleaded（辯護） for a chance. Finally the expert consented（同意） and told the youth, “Be here tomorrow.” The next morning the expert put a jade（翡翠） stone in the boy's hand and told him to hold it.
年輕人懇求專家給自己壹個機會。終於，專家同意了：“那妳明天來學吧。” 隔天上午，專家把壹塊玉石放在男孩手上，讓他拿住。
The expert then went about his work, cutting, weighing, and setting gems. The boy sat quietly and waited. The following morning the expert again placed the jade stone in the youth's hand and told him to hold it.
然後自己就去忙工作了，壹會兒切割，壹會兒稱重，壹會兒又把寶石擺放到某個位置上。男孩就安靜地坐著等。第二天早上，專家又把玉石放到男孩手裏，讓他握住。
On the third, fourth, and fifth day the expert repeated the exercise and the instructions（指令）. On the sixth day the youth held the jade stone, but could no longer stand the silence.
第三、第四、第五天，專家也都重復相同的內容和指令。 第六天，年輕人握著玉石，終於打破了沈默
“Master,” he asked, “when am I going to learn something?” “You'll learn,” the expert replied and went about his business. Several more days went by and the youth's frustration increased.
“師傅，”他問，“您什麽時候才能教我啊？” “會教的。”專家回答說，說完繼續忙自己的事情。 又過了好幾天，年輕人越發感到沮喪。
One morning as the expert approached and beckoned（示意） for him to hold out his hand, he was about to blurt out that he could go on no longer.
壹天早晨，專家走過來，示意讓他伸出手來。年輕人忍無可忍，幾乎要爆發了。
But as the expert placed the stone in the youth's hand, the young man exclaimed without looking at his hand, “This is not the same jade stone!” “You have begun to learn,” said the expert.
但是當他握住石頭的時候，他看都沒看就喊了起來：“這不是那塊玉石！” “妳已經開始入門了。”專家說。