呆若木鸡 — “Dumbfounded”

The idiom '呆若木鸡' (dāi ruò mù jī) originates from the 'Zhuangzi - Chapter on the Dao of Preserving Life'. It recounts an allegory about a man named Ji Shenzi, who was a specialist in training fighting cocks for the king, a popular pastime in ancient times.

After ten days, the king asked Ji Shenzi if the cock was ready. Ji Shenzi replied, 'Not yet. It appears fierce on the surface, but it lacks true inner strength.'

Ten days later, the king inquired again, and Ji Shenzi said, 'Still not ready. It becomes nervous immediately upon seeing the shadow of another cock, indicating it still possesses a combative spirit.'

Another ten days passed, and the king asked again, but Ji Shenzi still deemed it unready, as the cock's gaze was still too sharp, and its aggressive spirit not yet completely subdued.

Finally, after another ten days, Ji Shenzi declared it was almost ready. He explained, 'Although it occasionally crows, it now appears dull and motionless, resembling a wooden chicken. This signifies it has achieved a perfect spiritual state.'

The king then placed this cock into the fighting arena. Unexpectedly, when the other cocks saw this 'wooden chicken-like' fighting cock, they all turned and fled without even engaging in a fight.