Where Does Rice Come From? | 大米从何而来?

A rich man's overconfidence in his sons' intelligence is challenged when they give absurd answers...

Writer's in Prison | 狱中作家

A writing teacher conducts a monologue workshop in a crowded prison. A deeply withdrawn inmate, t...

No Setback Is Insurmountable | 没有过不去的坎儿

This article recounts the life of a resilient Chinese woman who endured war, loss, and poverty, y...

The Man in the Well | 井底有人

A family's metaphorical comment about gaining an 'extra person' after digging a well is distorted...

The Fisherman and the Genie | 渔夫与魔鬼

A poor fisherman, on his final cast, pulls up a sealed jar containing a vengeful genie. The genie...

The Mirror of Self-Knowledge | 自知之明

The ancient minister Zou Ji questions why his wife, concubine, and guest all claim he is more han...

Pandora's Box | 潘多拉的盒子

The myth of Pandora explains the origin of human suffering and the enduring presence of hope. In ...

Marking the Boat for the Lost Sword | 刻舟求剑

A man loses his sword in a river and marks the boat where it fell, foolishly searching at the mar...

The Fox and the Wolf | 狐狸与狼

A clever fox tricks a cart driver by playing dead to steal fish, then escapes. A foolish wolf tri...

A Silent Love | 无声的爱

A young couple overcomes family opposition and distance, only to be tested by a tragic accident t...

The White Duck | 白鸭

A queen is tricked by a witch, transformed into a white duck, and replaced in her palace. As a du...

The Misplaced Craftsmen | 不合时宜的工匠

A skilled shoemaker and weaver plan to move to a new region but are warned that their crafts are ...

The Clever Little Girl | 聪明的小女孩

A poor man and his rich brother dispute ownership of a newborn foal. When brought before the Empe...

The Two Kings' Children | 两位国王的孩子

A prince, fulfilling a prophecy, is captured and set impossible tasks by a foreign king to win hi...

Fairyland | 仙境奇遇

Jesse and Mary Sue run away from home after their father announces his remarriage. They discover ...

Beat the Grass and Startle the Snake | 打草惊蛇

The idiom 'Beat the grass and startle the snake' originates from a story about a corrupt magistra...

Follow Your Own Course | 走自己的路

The essay encourages readers to ignore naysayers and self-doubt, pursue their own passions with c...

The Two Crows | 两只乌鸦

Two rival crows argue about who can fly higher and decide to settle it with a contest carrying sa...

Dong Guochang's Many Wishes | 东郭敞的许多愿望

A man obsessed with imaginary wealth refuses to help his needy student, prioritizing his own ambi...

Composing a Poem with a Spear in Hand | 横槊赋诗

A story from the Three Kingdoms where Cao Cao, on the eve of a major battle, hosts a feast on the...