Long ago, there was a farmer. One day, while he was ploughing his fields, he saw a hare running wildly towards a tree. Then the hare fell near the tree, without a move. The farmer went over and saw that the hare ran so fast that it ran into a tree, broke its neck, and […]
Once upon a time, in China, there lived a musician named Gongming Yi. He played all the musical instruments, especially the lute very well. One day when Gongming Yi was unwinding himself in the countryside, he saw a cow grazing in a field. He thought, ‘Everybody loves my music. Why don’t I play some music
Once upon a time, an elderly Chinese woman had two large pots. Each pot hung on the end of a pole which she carried across her shoulders. One of the pots was perfect while the other had a deep crack in it. At the end of the walk from the stream to the house, the
Hou I was a good archer who lived in ancient China in the days of Emperor Yau. Apart from his bow, Hou I also had a horse which ran so speedily that even the wind could not catch up with it. One day, he mounted on his horse to go hunting. But his horse ran
Once upon a time, two hunters went hunting. They saw a wild goose flying overhead. Immediately, one of the hunters placed an arrow in his bow. He aimed it at the goose. He said, “That goose will make a fine stew.” “Stew!” said the second one. “It would be far better to roast it.” “Stewed!”
Once, there was a shepherd who kept a flock of sheep in a sheepfold. One morning, he went to the sheepfold and discovered that one of his sheep was missing. He looked at the sheepfold and found a hole in it. So, he thought that the wolf must have sneaked in and carried away the
To read the books at night, Yu Heng needed a lamp and oil to burn. But his family was too poor to afford the oil. Depressed, Yu Heng sat down with his book which he was reading during the day. Suddenly, he saw a ray of light at the back of his bed. It was
In ancient China, there was a peasant’s son named Yu Heng. From an early age, he wanted to study. But he was poor and had no money to go to school. He enjoyed reading. Yu Heng could not afford to buy a book, so he had to borrow books to read. During those times, the
In ancient China, there was a peasant’s son named Yu Heng. From an early age, he wanted to study. But he was poor and had no money to go to school. He enjoyed reading. Yu Heng could not afford to buy a book, so he had to borrow books to read. During those times, the
One morning, Si-ling said to the Emperor, “I can find a way to weave those long threads into cloth.” “But how will you unwind the threads?” asked the Emperor. “I will find a way,” Si-ling said. After many attempts, she did find the way. She put the cocoons in a hot place, and the worms
The Emperor of China, Hoangti and his wife Si-ling loved their people and always thought of their happiness. During those times, the people in China wore clothes made of skins. With time, the animals started decreasing and the people did not know what to wear. The Emperor and the Empress tried to find some other
Mencius’ father died when he was very young. His mother had to raise him alone. At the beginning, she lived with Mencius near a cemetery where funerals and religious activities were conducted daily. Mencius and other children used to imitate these funeral activities. Seeing this, his mother said, “No, I can’t let my son live
Once upon a time, a woman was granted one wish of visiting both Heaven and Hell. She arrived in a great banquet hall at the lunchtime. Delicious food and drinks were laid on the tables. Around the tables were sitting miserable, starved and fatigued people. “Why are they like this?” the woman asked the angel.
They soon discovered that the two girls had lit the fire. They pleaded, “Let us out!” But the girls did not listen to them and built up the bigger fire. So, the wolf and the fox died in the cauldrons. The girls lived happily in the cave for some days. One day, their father came
Inside the cave, they saw a mass of precious stones and jewels which glowed. The cave belonged to a wolf and a fox. The girls lay down and fell asleep. During the night the wolf and the fox came back home. The wolf said, “Let’s go to bed and sleep.” But the fox said, “Let’s