滕王阁序

In Tang Dynasty, there was a talented poet named, Wang Bo 王勃. One day, he was walking past the opening of 滕王阁 and there was a big feast there. The owner of 滕王阁 wanted to show off his great building so he invited Wang Bo too.

The owner initially wanted his son-in-law to show off his flair in poems, so he invited all the guests to write a poem regarding his Teng Wang Ge. Nobody dared to write anything as everyone knew the purpose of the owner. The paper and brush was passed around but no one touch it.

Wang Bo was sitting at the end of the hall as he was one of the last guest to be invited. When the paper and brush reached him, he just picked it up and started writing.

Seeing this, the owner was rather unhappy and found an excuse to leave the hall. Wang Bo, being young, was not sensitive with the behaviour on the owner and continued to write.

The servant of the owner started passing messages to the owner informing him what Wang Bo wrote.

豫章故郡，洪都新府。星分翼轸，地接衡庐。襟三江而带五湖，控蛮荆而引瓯越。

This was the first line, it clearly stated out the location of Teng Wang Ge.

"hmph!", thought the owner.

潦水尽而寒潭清，烟光凝而暮山紫.

"smart alec," thought the owner.

临帝子之长洲，得天人之旧馆。层台耸翠，上出重霄；飞阁翔丹，下临无地。

"not so bad, in fact," thought the owner.

落霞与孤鹜齐飞，秋水共长天一色。

*slaps the table* "Hao ah! (good)" exclaimed the owner.

He immediately stood up and went to Wang Bo's side to watch him finish the poem.

Those parts I mentioned above is not the full 序 and it is not the poem. It is just an introduction to the Teng Wang Ge and the poem.

Then Wang Bo proceeded to complete the poem.

滕王高阁临江渚，
佩玉鸣鸾罢歌舞。
画栋朝飞南浦云，
珠帘暮卷西山雨。
闲云潭影日悠悠，
物换星移几度秋。
阁中帝子今何在？
槛外长江空自流。

And Wang Bo became famous.

My favourite line is 落霞与孤鹜齐飞，秋水共长天一色。Imagine the scene... awwww.. isn't it just beautiful?

I forgot where I heard this story before, I think it is from some lit books. :D

Teng Wang Ge