晉朝時有個樂（yuè）廣很好客，
有一次把一位知心朋友請到家，
擺上了美酒和佳肴，
飲酒敘說知心話。
忽然間客人見杯中亂蠕動，
分明是一條小蛇在杯裏趴，
小蛇兒曲曲彎彎真嚇人，
便懷疑是朋友存心想害他。
那樂廣殷勤敬酒沒在意，
朋友卻推說酒醉要回家。
各樣的珍饈（xiū）美味不願嚐，
臨別時悶悶不樂沒說話。
回家後鬱鬱寡歡生了病，
那樂廣知道以後倍驚訝，
他專到朋友家裏去探望，
朋友卻不願把實情告訴他。
回家後樂廣坐客位仔細瞧，
見一把常用的角弓牆上掛。
又把那酒杯斟滿放原處，
弓影兒落在酒杯無偏差。
他這才知道朋友得病因，
趕快去又把朋友請到家。
懇切地讓他坐在原位上，
接著把弓影落杯細細拉。
那朋友恍然大悟疑懼消，
方曉得杯中蛇影原是假。
到後來“杯弓蛇影”作成語，
比喻人疑神疑鬼生懼怕。
A Snake Shadow in a Cup
There was a hospitable man whose name was Yue Guang in the Dynasty of Jin（265—420A。D。）。One day，he invited one of his friends to dinner in his home。Having put on the table various expensive wines and delicious dishes，they sat drinking and talking delightfully。All of a sudden the guest caught sight of something wriggling in his cup。Apparently it was a little snake，twisting and turning，a fearful snake in his wine cup。
It must be evil。The guest thought that Yue Guang meant to do harm to him。Yue Guang was busy toast-ing him and didn't notice what was going on。The guest pretended to be drunk and said he had to be going。He did not taste a variety of dishes on the table and he made very few remarks when he said good-bye。