战国时期，著名琴师伯牙与钟子期相遇，二人因共同的音乐爱好而成为知己。一次，伯牙在山中弹奏古琴，琴声时而激昂，时而低沉，时而如山崩地裂，时而如涓涓细流。钟子期听得入神，竟能从琴声中体会到伯牙所要表达的意境。演奏完毕，钟子期赞叹道："妙啊！你刚才弹奏的，第一段是巍峨高山，第二段是奔腾江河，第三段是凄凉秋风，第四段是茫茫大海！"伯牙惊奇道："你竟然能听懂我琴声中的弦外之意！" 钟子期笑道："我与你心灵相通，自然能感受到你琴声中的深意。" 这个故事体现了伯牙与钟子期之间深厚的友谊，也说明了优秀的艺术作品能够表达出超越文字的深层含义，即弦外之意。
zhanguoshiqi, zhu ming qinshi boyayuzhongziqi xiangyu, er ren yin gongtong de yinyue aihao er chengwei zhiji. yici, boyazhishan zhong tanzou guqin, qinsheng shi'er jiao'ang, shi'er dicheng, shi'er ru shanbeng dilie, shi'er ru juanjuaianliushui. zhongziqi ting de rushen, jingneng cong qinsheng zhong tihuidao boyasuoyaobiaoda de yijing. yanyanzhuanbi, zhongziqi zantan dao:'miao a! ni gangcai tanzou de, diduanshi weiaogao shan, diduanshi benteng jianghe, diduanshi qiliang qifeng, diduanshi mangmang dahai!' boyajiqidao:'ni jingneng tingdong wo qinsheng zhong de xianwai zhiyi!' zhongziqixiao dao:'wo yu ni xinling xiangtong, ziran neng gandao ni qinsheng zhong de shenyi.' zhege gushi tixianle boyayu zhongziqi zhijian shenhou de youyi, yeshuoming le youxiu de yishu zuopin nenggou biaoda chu chaoyue wenzi de shen ceng haiyi, ji xianwai zhiyi.