There was a young man named Ruqing in the State of Qin.
秦国有个年轻人，名叫鲁青。
He was very talented and good at mechanics and crafts.
他聪明过人，擅长机关和工艺。
He made bows and arrows that were more accurate and powerful than ordinary ones.
他打造的弓箭，比一般的更精准更有力。
He also made wooden carts that were strong and light, running faster than ordinary ones.
他的木车结实轻便，比普通马车跑得更快。
One day, he heard that the King of Qin was looking for talented people.
有一天，他听说秦王要招贤能之士。
He hurried to the palace, eager to serve the country.
他兴冲冲地进宫，希望能为国家效力。
But the officials only asked him to fix the doors of the palace.
但官员只是安排他去修宫里的木门。
Ruqing was confused and asked, "I am good at making weapons. Why am I asked to fix doors?"
鲁青不解地问：“我擅长兵器制造，为何让我修门？”
The official smiled and said, "The king’s palace cannot have broken doors. This is also an important task."
官员笑着说：“国王的宫殿不能有破门，这也是功劳。”
Ruqing sighed but still carefully fixed the door.
鲁青叹了口气，但还是认真修好了宫门。
Day after day, he continued to repair the palace’s furniture and doors.
日复一日，他一直在修理宫中的桌椅、门窗。
He wanted to use his talents but never had the chance to make weapons.
他想发挥才能，却没有机会建造兵器。
Years later, his name was slowly forgotten.
几年后，他的名字渐渐被人遗忘。
Another craftsman in Qin improved the bows and arrows and was greatly rewarded.
秦国另一位工匠改进了弓箭，受到重用。
Ruqing looked at the new weapons on the battlefield and felt very sad.
鲁青看着战场上的新武器，心里十分失落。
He understood that a talented person, if placed in the wrong position, cannot show their full potential.
他明白了，一个有才能的人，如果被安排在不适合的地方，就无法发挥作用。
"Wasting talent" means putting a capable person in a small, unimportant job and not allowing them to show their true abilities.
大材小用，形容有才能的人却被安排做不重要的事，无法发挥真正的才干。
If you don't place talent in the right place, it's a waste of their abilities.
如果不能让人才用在合适的地方，就是对能力的浪费。
