Chinese Idiom: 夸父逐日 (Kua Fu Zhu Ri)
English Translation: Kua Fu chases the sun
pīn yīn: kuā fù zhú rì
Idiom Meaning: This idiom describes someone who ambitiously pursues an unattainable goal or engages in a futile endeavor. It can also illustrate a situation where someone overestimates their own abilities.
Historical Source: 《山海经·海外北经》 (Classic of Mountains and Seas, Northern Regions of the Seas).
Idiom Story:
In ancient times, there was a towering mountain in the northern wilderness, home to a giant tribe known as the Kua Fu. The leader of this tribe was Kua Fu, the grandson of the underworld deity “Hou Tu” and the son of “Xin.”
Kua Fu and his tribe were incredibly strong, tall, and diligent. Despite the harsh conditions of the land, filled with wild beasts and treacherous terrain, they lived peaceful and carefree lives. They faced many hardships, including scorching heat that dried up crops and rivers, causing suffering among the people.
Seeing the dire state of his people due to the relentless heat, Kua Fu decided to chase the sun to make it listen to him and bring relief. He announced his intention to his tribe, who urged him not to pursue such an impossible task. They warned him of the dangers, but Kua Fu was determined. He set out at dawn, determined to catch the sun.
Kua Fu ran tirelessly, crossing mountains and rivers, leaving behind a trail of destruction. When he was tired, he rested and created mountains of soil from his shoes. When he was hungry, he ate wild fruits and cooked food, turning stones into mountains.
As Kua Fu drew nearer to the sun, he became increasingly thirsty. Despite drinking all the water from the Yellow River and the Wei River, he could not quench his thirst. His journey took him to the Great Marsh in the north, but he collapsed from exhaustion and thirst before reaching it.
As he lay dying, Kua Fu threw his wooden staff away, which magically transformed into a lush peach orchard. The peach trees provided shade and fruit to weary travelers, easing their thirst and fatigue.
This story highlights Kua Fu’s heroic but futile pursuit, symbolizing ambitious endeavors that can end in failure. The phrase “夸父逐日” is used to describe such futile or over-ambitious attempts.
