A man from the state of Qi constantly feared that the sky would collapse¹, the earth would sink, and human being would have no place to dwell on. Thereupon he was too anxious to eat or sleep well.

 

His friends advised him, "The sky is an accumulation of gas, thus weightless, and so it is impossible collapse. Stars are also made of gas, and they would not hurt people even if they fell down. The earth is made of soil, and extremely sturdy, which make it impossible to sink."

 

After hearing this, the man set his heart at ease instantly, the sight of which delighted his friend who was also relieved.

 

一个杞国人，成日担心天塌地陷，人类无处安身，为此焦虑的吃不好，睡不好。

 

他的朋友开导他说：“天是由气聚集而成的，没有重量，不可能塌下来。日月星辰也是由气构成的，坠落下来对人也不会有伤害。大地上由聚集的泥土构成的，非常结实，绝对不会陷落。”

 

杞国人听后，顿感放心，他的朋友见状，也如释负重，开心异常。

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