Gǔshíhou, yǒu yīɡè fùrén, hěn xǐhuɑn ɡúdǒnɡ bìnɡqiě shōucánɡle hěnduō. Qízhōnɡ yǒu yījiàn yùyú, zuòɡōnɡ jīnɡzhàn, jiàzhí-bùfēi, shēnshòu zhèɡe fùrén de xǐài.
古时候，有一个富人，很喜欢古董并且收藏了很多。其中有一件玉盂，做工精湛，价值不菲，深受这个富人的喜爱。
In ancient times, there was a rich man who liked antiques and had collected many. Among his collection was an exquisite jade vase, and was highly treasured by him.

Yītiān wǎnshɑnɡ, yīzhī láoshǔ tiào jìnle yùyú, xiǎnɡyào chī lǐmiàn de shíwù, zhènɡqiǎo bèi fùrén kàndào le. Tā fēichánɡ shēnɡqì, shènɡnù zhīxià, tā nále kuài shítou zá xiànɡ láoshǔ. Dānɡrán, láoshǔ shì bèi zásǐle, kěshì nàɡè zhēnɡuì xīyǒu de yùyú yě bèi dǎpò le. Fùrén fēichánɡ nánɡuò, tā hěn hòuhuǐ zìjǐ de lúmǎnɡ dàilái zhème dà de sǔnshī, wèile chúdiào yīzhī láoshǔ ér huǐhuài zhēnɡuì de bǎowù, bìnɡ ɡàojiè zìjǐ zuòshì bùnénɡ lúmǎnɡ, yào kǎolǜ hòuɡuǒ.
一天晚上，一只老鼠跳进了玉盂，想要吃里面的食物，正巧被富人看到了。他非常生气，盛怒之下，他拿了块石头砸向老鼠。当然，老鼠是被砸死了，可是那个珍贵稀有的玉盂也被打破了。富人非常难过，他很后悔自己的鲁莽带来这么大的损失，，为了除掉一只老鼠而毁坏珍贵的宝物，并告诫自己做事不能鲁莽，要考虑后果。
One night, a mouse jumped into the vase, seeking to find food therein. It just so happened that the rich man saw it. He became so angry that, in the heat of rage, he threw a stone at the mouse. Of course, the mouse was crushed, but the precious vase was broken too. The rich man was very sad and regretted that his recklessness had ended in such a huge loss. A precious treasure was destroyed for the purpose of killing a mouse. He exhorted himself not to be reckless, and to think about the results of his actions.

Words：
古董gǔdǒng：antique(n.)
玉盂yùyú： a vase made of jade(n.)
精湛jīngzhàn： exquisite(a.)
价值不菲jiàzhíbùfěi： valuable(a.)
盛怒shèngnù： (very)angry(a.)
砸zá：to smash(v.)
鲁莽lǔmǎng： rash(a.)
Meanings：

“投鼠忌器”：想用东西打老鼠，又怕打坏了近旁的器物。比喻做事有所顾忌，不敢放手进行。
 
“投鼠忌器”means, when you throw stones at a rat, beware of the vase. It is a metaphor of holding back from taking action against sb. for fear of injuring others.

Sentences：
1.Suīrán xiànzài ɡǔshì zǒuɡāo, kě yīxiàzǐ bǎ suóyǒu jīxù dōu tóudào ɡǔshì, jiùyào chénɡdān hěndà de fēnɡxiǎn, wǒ dānɡrán tóushǔ-jìqì le.
虽然现在股市走高，可一下子把所有积蓄都投到股市，就要承担很大的风险，我当然投鼠忌器了。
Although stocks are rising, I would be undertaking a huge risk by investing all my money in the market, I am certainly cautious.

2.Zhènɡfǔ sìhū shì tóushǔ-jìqì, dānxīn zhèmeduō ɡōnɡsī tónɡshí pòchǎn huì yínɡxiǎnɡ quánɡuó de jīnɡjì xínɡshì.
政府似乎是投鼠忌器，担心这么多公司同时破产会影响全国的经济形势。
The government seems to be afraid that the bankruptcy of so many companies at the same time will affect the national economic situation.

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