Yu Boya was a famous musician during the Spring and Autumn Period. He was good at playing the guqin.

One day, when Boya was playing his instrument, Zhong Ziqi, a woodcutter stood by quietly. He enjoyed the music so much. When Boya played a piece of music about high mountains, Ziqi said, “This is as high and great as Mount Tai!” When Boya played a piece of music about water, Ziqi said, “The music is as great as a flowing river!”

Boya realised that Ziqi could understand his music. The two became the best friends.

Years later, Boya went to visit Ziqi. He was sad to find that Ziqi had passed away. He played the music High Mountains and Flowing Water for Ziqi. Then he broke his guqin. He never played music again because he believed no one could ever get the meaning of his music again.