The story happens during the Warring States Period from the 900 B.C. to the 500 B.C. when every state fought to be a superpower.

The newly enthroned King Weiwang of the State of Qi was carried away by his newly gained power and boundless freedom. Two years after he was crowned, he led a loose life, wasting away his time on hunting, drinking, and women and leaving his state ungoverned. The country became weaker and the prey of stronger States.

An adviser to the King, Chunyu Sun decided to bring this to the king's attention.  He said to him, "There's a big bird living in a tree in the King's palace. But for three years, it crawled aimlessly on the tree branches. Does your Majesty know what bird this is?"

The young King immediately understood Chunyu Sun was referring to himself.

After some thinking, the King replied: "The bird's not flying now. But when it does fly, it will shoot right up into the highest sky. It's not crowing, but when it does, it will crow with such might that it will shock all."

With that the King began to change. He reformed his political system so that there's no corruption among his officials. He also built up a strong army. His state soon took a completely new look. Other states were shocked and soon gave the idea of invasion. Once, King Weiwang was that big bird that crows once and shocks all.

A bird's crow that shocks all thus becomes an idiom, illustrating people with talents can achieve whatever he wished to achieve once he realizes his potential and decides to make good use of it.