a shepherd, keeping watch over his sheep near the shore, saw the sea very calmerce. he sold all his flock, invested it in a cargo of dates, and set sail. but a very great tempest came on, and the ship being in danger of sinking, he threw all his merchandise overboard, and barely escaped with his life in the empty ship. not long afterwards when someone passed by and observed the unruffled calm of the sea, he interrupted him and said, "it is again in want of dates, and therefore looks quiet."

一个牧人在海岸边放羊，他望着风平浪静的大海，就心血来潮想要出海经商。【顾少家的小娇夫超甜哒】他用卖掉羊群的钱买了一批酸枣装到船上，就起航了。谁知途中暴风雨突然来袭，船只随时都有沉没的危险，牧人只好把所有货物都抛入大海。费了九牛二虎之力，他才死里逃生，回到岸上。不久之后的一天，他看到一个人站在岸边对着平静的大海赞叹不已，就打断那个人的话说道:“老兄，看样子，大海又想吃枣了，所以才会这么平静！”

吃一堑，长一智。