Translation in Fju

Version : 簡秀如

Indigo is extracted from Indigo plant, but its color is bluer than the plant. This expression is used to describe that a student’s achievement is greater than his/her teacher, or someone’s performance tops what has been done in the past.

In Southern and Northern Dynasties, Li Mi became Kong Fan’s apprentice. A few years past, Li Mi’s knowledge surpassed his teacher, Kong Fan. Sometimes when Kong Fan ran into difficulties, he would ask Li Mi for advice, but this behavior embarrassed Li Mi. “Do not feel embarrassed,” Kong Fan sincerely told Li Mi. “Anyone who has expertise in a certain area can be my teacher, so can you.”

People were touched by this much-told tale about how Kong Fan modestly consulted with his student. Someone in the later generations wrote a song to praise Kong Fan’s attitude of not being ashamed to ask for advice:

“Extracted from Indigo plant,

Indigo brings out the true color of the plant

Everyone can be a teacher

As long as he/she acquires the knowledge thoroughly”

Version : 徐常智

As we know, indigo-blue is a color which extracted from the color of blue. Its hue and shade is deeper and more beautiful than blue. It can be described that student’s achievement excels his teacher, classmate, or predecessor.

    During Northern and Southern Dynasty period, Li-Mi was a student of teacher Kong-Fan. Li’s erudition had surpassed his teacher after years. Kong Fang was proud of his advancement.

    From then on, Li-Mi felt embarrassed when Kong-Fang go ask him for advice. Kong-Fan sincerely said that “To be yourself, everyone can be my teacher if he is a master in some territory, suchlike you.”

   Someone composed a short ballad to commemorate this much-told tale for the sprit of K0ng-Fan that he modestly raised questions to his student. It touched many people’s heart.  Student’s achievement was molded by teachers; Teacher gains his accomplishment from students. Anyone of you, who equips with wisdom and knowledge, can be my teacher.

Version : 陳靖芳

Indigo blue is a more beautiful shade of blue than the plant from which it is extracted

         Indigo blue is extracted from indigo plants, yet it’s deeper than the latter. The idiom is a metaphor for students surpassing their teachers, or heirs surpassing their predecessors.

         In Southern and Northern Dynasties, Li Mi was apprenticed to Kong Fan. After few years, Li Mi had more extensive knowledge than his teacher, Kong Fan. Kung Fan was very glad about it. Sometimes, Kung Fan asked for Li Mi’s advice when having problems, but Li Mi felt embarrassed. Kong Fan said sincerely to Li Mi, “ Don’t be embarrassed. Anyone who  is knowledgeable in some way could be my teacher, let alone you.”  

         People were deeply touched when they heard that Kong Fan humbled himself to ask advice from Li Mi. The posterity made a short song to extol Kong Fan’s modesty.

         Indigo blue comes from indigo plants.

         Indigo plants are grateful to indigo blue.

         Whoever is knowledgeable is worth our learning.