Chinese proverbs are rich and they are still widely used in Chinese people' daily life.
Behind these (proverb) there are often interesting stories. For example, the proverb, “ （pull） up a crop to helpit grow”, is based on the following story.
It is said that a short-tempered man in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) was very anxious to help (he)rice crop grow up quickly. He was thinking about it day night. But the crop was growing much (slow) than he expected.
One day, he came up with an idea he would pluck up all of his crop a few inches. He did so the next day.
He was very tired after doing this for a whole day, yet he felt very happy since crop did “grow” higher.
His son heard about this and went to see the crop. (fortunate) the leaves of the crop began to wither.
This proverb is saying we have to let things go in their (nature) course. Being too anxious to help an event develop often results in the contrary to our (intend).
