一天，有个楚国人坐船过河。
One day, a man of the State of Chu was crossing a river by boat.
一不小心身上挂的宝剑掉进河坚去了。
Due to carelessness, his sword which hung at his side fell into the water.
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。
Not in the least worried, he slowly took out a small knife and cut a mark on the side of the boat.
有人问他:“为什么不赶快下水把它捞起来?
Someone on the boat asked him: "Why don't you jump into the water at once to fish for your sword?
你在船舷上刻这个记号有什么用啊?”
What's the use of making this mark on the side of the boat?"
他指着船舷上的记号，不慌不忙地说:
He pointed to the mark on the side of the boat, saying unhurriedly:
“不用着急。我的宝剑是从这个刻着记号的地方掉下去的。
"There is no need to worry. My sword fell into the river at this marked place.
等舟到了码头，靠了岸，
As soon as the boat reaches the dock and pulls in to shore,
我从这里跳下去，就能把宝剑捞上来。”
I will jump down from here to retrieve my sword."