Post 74 A glance of honour (一顾之荣 yi gu zhi rong)
There was a man who was an expert in judging horses. He was affectionately called Bo Le (伯乐), the name of the star in charge of heavenly horses in ancient Chinese mythology.
Once there was a person who tried to sell his horse at the market but there was no buyer. After failing to strike a deal on three attempts, this person went to see Bo Le for help. He requested Bo Le to just cast a glance at his horse and, before leaving the market, turn back to briefly glance at the horse again. Bo Le followed the instruction of the man. Soon after Bo Le had left, there were many interested buyers who offered to pay ten times more for the horse.
Initially this metaphor was for someone who had gained more status after having some social graces with a famous personality. It is now used to describe the honour of having a distinguished guest gracing an occasion or visiting a place. When a distinguished guest like the Prime Minister visits a school, that school is being honoured by a glance.
21 December 2010
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