Welcome to CHINESE TALES...
We all love stories, enjoy tales, and appreciate the wisdom behind the legends...
This blog is full of Chinese stories, tales, and myth that sometimes can tease your fantasies and imaginations.
The stories presented here are simple, easy to grasp and fun. They can be your or your children bedtime stories :)
Chinese culture has rich tales, stories, myth, legends that reflect chinese people's ways of thinking, things they value and respect, and morals...
Anyway stories are fun to read...
Please Enjoy....
Once a person lost something, and though a couple of suspicious people were taken to the local officer, there wasn't one person who would admint guilt. So the officer had a method of finding out the guilty one. In the back he claimed he had a clock that could sense if a thief placed his hand on the clock it would chime.
So he made all of the suspects one by one enter the back room and touch the clock. If you hadn't stolen anything, the
clock wouldn't chime. As they came out the officer inspected their hands and finally grabbed one of the people and yelled,
"It was he who stole your thing." The culprit fainted, paralyzed in fear, and everyone was shocked and asked the officer how he knew. The officer with a smile, said that on the top of the clock he painted a layer of ink. The culprit feared touching the clock and therefore had clean hands.
Someone who does bad things often in his/her hearts feel the most guilt. From this guilty feeling arises fear. And fear will lead him to cover his crime. If we can rise up the fear and use it as a decoy then we can reveal the truth out of him.
Images sources:
http://blogs.kansascity.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/03/12/burglar.jpg
http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/shop2007/00_030.jpg
Reference:
Zhongguo Gudai Yuyan Gushi
In ancient times, there was a famous general. He shot arrows with such accuracy that at the time no one was able to better him. He himself believed that he was fabulous. One day he was at the archery field during a demonstration. When he shot the gallery would from time to time erupt into applause, but looking around he discovered that two old people selling oil to the people next to the fields were not clapping.
Only with a slight nod of their heads did they acknowledge his shots. Unhappily he walked up to the old couple and asked, "It seems you understand archery, what do you think about my archer ?" The old people answered, "We don't understand archery, we only watch." Infuriated the general asked, "If you don't understand archery, why don't you applaud ?" The old man slowly answered, "It's because of the oil that I sell."
He produced a bottle and placed it on the ground, then placing a copper coin on the mouth of the bottle, and using a spoon poured the oil into the bottle through the tiny hole in the coin. He spilled not a drop and all the people ar
ound couldn't help but applaud, and the old man modestly said, "Actually it is only practice."
Many times we are amazed by how skillful someone in doing his/her performance, work and productivity. But what we don't realize is that it takes lots of time, learning experiences, failures, and struggles to produce such maximum performance.
And when we achieve such level we shouldn't be boastful and live in pride. Since we realize that almost anyone can do what we do if they would go through what we have been through.
Chinese tales are fun to read, they provide self-improvement and contemplative stories. Find out more in the 3 links I recommend:
Images sources:http://www.fitzdecarts.com/daniel_achtermeier_pottery.htm
http://www.chinajointventures.com/legalities-an-joint-ventures-china.html
http://www.reappropriate.com/aaheroes/dc.php
Reference:
Zhongguo Gudai Yuyan Gushi
There once was an honest man named Zhengshen. Whenever he left home his mother never was worried because her son would never do any wrong. But one day when he was out, a man of the same name in the same town murdered another person. The local government hunted him by mistake, thinking he was the criminal.
In those days the family of the person who committed the murder would also be arrested. When a person hurriedly went to see Zhengshen's mother with the news of the murder, his mother simply smiled upon hearing the news and said:
"My son kill somebody ? This is impossible." She then continued stitching.
A moment later another person burst into the room reporting the news that Zhengshen had killed somebody. Still his mother smiled and resumed stitching. When a third person came with the same news, his mother could no longer sit. Panickingly she dropped her stitching, crossed the courtyard, climbed the wall and left.
When a rumor spreads from one to ten then ten to hundred, even those whom originally didn't believe the rumor sometimes have no choice but to change their opinions. These are the real tragedies.
Uncover The Great Ancient Chinese Strategies for Success in Life that are still very Applicable in this modern days... "A Clever Rabbit Has Three Hiding Places: Strategies for Life from Chinese Folk Wisdom"
Reference:
Zhongguo Gudai Yuyan Gushi
Image source:
http://www.wideangle.ca/images/chineseman.jpg
Once upon a time, there was a small and shallow water well, and in that well lived a frog. Everyday he lived life at his leisure and felt he was truly blessed.
One day a turtle came to his well, the frog happily welcomed and invited him to stay. As they talked the frog proudly said, "I can play in the well or I can frolic as I like, when I'm tired I rest in a hole in the wall of the well. Look at the small shrimp and insects to eat, don't you want to come and see my well ? It's my heaven on earth.
Hearing these stories, the turtle very much wanted to go and see the well. But he was too fat, and couldn't slip into the hole of the well. With a sigh he told the frog a story about the sea,
"The sea, have you ever seen the sea ? The sea is a massive expanses of blue. You can swim heading for faraway places and never reach them, you can swim down but never reach the bottom. The sea has always been this deep and big. Only when you are in the sea can you really feel truly free and happy." The frog hearing this was dumbfounded. He was so shocked he could only stare into the distance.
We ought to have a broad and far-reaching vision of life, unlike the vision of the frog living in the well, seeing only his little heaven on earth. One must have an open mind, ready to explore beyond his current knowledge, understanding and even his proudly proven skill.
Irene Tsai has the story retold in her wonderful book "The Frog in the Well (Chinese - English bilingual book) (Chinese Edition) (Hardcover)"
Reference:
Zhongguo Gudai Yuyan Gushi
Image source:
http://www.frontstreetreviews.com/Frog%20in%20Well.jpg
A long time ago there was a thief. Oneday as he was strolling along he passed a door with a beautiful doornocker, hanging. Naturally he wished to steal it. At night time he quietly tiptoed to the front door and was about to pluck the ornament when he suddenly thought,
"No ! If I grasp it, the bell will ring and others will be alerted, what should I do ? That's it, I'll block my ears so I won't hear the sound." He then proceeded to block his ears and grab the doornocker.
He still hadn't dislodged it when the ringing roused the people whose home it was. They grabbed the thief and tied him up.
Some people make decisions without being objective but rather by assuming that everyone else is the same as them. Some people make decisions by considering their own perspectives, that's why they don't see other possibilities that could happen.
Reference:
Zhongguo Gudai Yuyan Gushi
Image source:
http://www.dreamstime.com
Once there was a man from the Chu Kingdom who brought a spear and a shield to the market for sale. He first raised the spear clenched in his fist and in a loud voice bellowed, "Comes one, come all and see the sharpest spear in the world, it can pierce any shield ever made !" People within earshot all came running crowding into see. Some even grabbed the spear and inspected its point. This person seeing all the people by his stall then took the opportunity and raised his shield saying, "Comes one, come all, the sturdiest shield in the world, no matter how keen the spear, nothing will pierce it !"
Standing by his side was a boy listening to the man's boisterous calls, "So what happens if your shield meets your spear ?" Dumbfounded the man gaped, then picking up his spear and shield walked quickly away.
We say and do things but we must base the on reality, not speak loosely, otherwise we will contradict ourselves.
Reference:
Zhongguo Gudai Yuyan Gushi
Image source:
http://www.wle.com/media/W032.jpg
http://www.shaolin.com.au/weapon/shield.jpg
During the Warring-states Period, the Qi Kingdom had a king who was particularly fond of listening to orchestras. His favorite performance were those of hundreds of musicians playing in symphony, so he sent his servants to find 300 musicians and to organize them into an orchestra. There was one fellow called Nanguo, who actually couldn't play the instrument, accepted the offer.
So everyday he performed for the king with the hundreds of musicians, pretending to play, imitating exactly and seeming to play expertly. For a longtime no one else realized. Afterwards this king passed away, and his son succeeded him. His son also liked to listen to music, but he didn't like the listening to the cacophony of a 300 strong orchestra, rather he liked listening to them play individually in succession. Nanguo when he heard of this news knew he could no longer pass himself off as a musician and stole away never to be seen again the palace.
Around you, you may have people like Nanguo, who in reality have no skill but in the numbers can pass themselves off. You should be careful to detect them and be aware of their true strengths.
Chinese civilization has been evolving for more of 5000 years, they have faced lots of troubles, famines, wars, and many experiences that many Chinese Scholars from across the ages had successfully learned and derived significant Lessons from these Great Society's experiences. I suggest you to explore and gain the advantages for your success in life:"One Hundred Unorthodox Strategies: Battle And Tactics Of Chinese Warfare"
Reference:
Zhongguo Gudai Yuyan Gushi
Image source:
http://www.i170.com/attach/B4DDFE2C-6ACE-4F00-A3C8-AADDD8B29CF6
The sandpiper is a type of bird that lives by the water. He loves eating small fish and insects. One day a sandpiper was next to the water searching for his next meal, when he spied a river clam spread open sunning himself. The sandpiper looked hungrily at the clam's soft white flesh, and suddenly pounced on the clam poking his beak in. Immediately the clam clamped shut, hard on the sandpiper's beak and trapped him.
The sandpiper struggled, still wanting to eat that soft juicy clam but unable to move. Then to the clam he mumbled, "If you always clamp me like this what good is done ? If it doesn't
rain today, tomorrow or the next day, will you be able to survive ?" The clam in reply said, "If I don't let you go today tomorrow or the next day what are the chances of finding a live sandpiper ?" So both sides remained in this way.
Later a fisherman happened to come along, without the slightest effort he grabbed them both and left. In the end both the sandpiper and the clam found their way onto his dining table.
People sometimes argue with each other endlessly over a small issue. But the result often is a mutual loss whilst benefiting a third party.
Extend your imaginations and fulfill your desire for more of Chinese Tales and Folklore, "Chinese Fairy Tales and Fantasies (Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library)"
Reference:Zhongguo Gudai Yuyan GushiImage source:http://blogs.rep-am.com/nature/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/corm-clam.jpg
In ancient times there once was a lover of dragons. He was so fond of dragons that all his clothes had embroidered dragons, and his columns and pillars also had engraved dragons. His love of dragons was widely known, so one day a real dragon decided to visit this dragon lover. He poked his head into his home and dragged his long tail down the hall.
The dragon lover saw the head and was frightened out of his wits. Turning, he ran.
The real dragon finally understood that this dragon lover loved only the images of dragons but not real dragons.
Some people with interests are only superficial in their passions and at the critical moment it becomes apparent that there is no love in their hearts, and often the love is a disguise for fear.
The Pet Dragon is A Great Story to tell to your children or to your Mandarin Class. It's easily memorable and provide great ways to introduce Chinese Characters. Everyone will love this story..."The Pet Dragon: A Story about Adventure, Friendship, and Chinese Characters"
Reference:
Zhongguo Gudai Yuyan Gushi
Image source:
http://www.wehug.com/feng-shui-supplies.html
In the Song Kingdom there once was a farmer, who was an impatient man. After he'd sowed seedlings he ran back to check their growth four times a day. A few days had passed and still the seedlings had not sprouted.
One day he went to the paddy field depressed and hanging his head. Grabbing the seedlings he methodically pulled them up row by row. That night he said to his family,
"Today almost killed me ! I worked the field all day and I am exhausted. I can't even straighten my back. But all in all the effort wasn't in vain, all the seedlings have grown."
His son thought this to be strange and ran to the field to look the next day. What he saw were rows of seedlings uprooted and all were withered and dead.
When we do anything we must be careful not to spoil things with excessive enthusiasm. It's good to have passion on things that we do, but we must always remember to do things appropriately. There are 3 types of growers:
- Natural Growers. They do their parts accordingly and let the Nature do its part. They patiently wait and watch their investment grow. They try not to interfere with the Nature since they know they can have unexpected results if they try to do so.
- Stimulus Growers. They are like Natural Grower but they push their parts a little bit more by trying to give some appropriate stimuli such as fertilizer. But they also don't interfere with the way of the Nature.
- Hasty Growers. They simply cannot wait, they do things in hurry. They try to break the law of Nature and we know the results they fail.
Interested to learn more and unveil the true wisdom of Chinese Cultures ? I Highly Recommend You to have a copy of "Wisdom's Way: 101 Tales of Chinese Wit"
Reference:Zhongguo Gudai Yuyan GushiImage source:http://www.ashepherdsbushmaneatsfromacan.co.uk/china24.jpghttp://www.ianandwendy.com/OtherTrips/ChinaVietnamCambodia/China/Longshen/_26_0037.jpg
