Children’s Stories to Learn Mandarin
Learn Mandarin through the stories generations of Chinese speakers grow up knowing! Read traditional legends, idiom stories, fables, and classics in level-matched Mandarin. You’ll build useful vocabulary and character recognition while discovering the figures, morals, and references woven through Chinese culture.
8 stories
Kong Rong Gives Away the Pears
Young Kong Rong chooses a small pear so his brothers can share the larger fruit.
Marking the Boat for a Sword
A traveler marks a moving boat after losing his sword, then learns why the mark cannot show where it fell.
Waiting by the Stump
A farmer abandons his crops to wait for another lucky rabbit, then discovers what his waiting has cost.
Sima Guang Smashes the Water Vat
Sima Guang breaks a water vat to save a friend while the other children run for help.
Foolish Old Man Moves the Mountains
An old man and his family begin moving two mountains that block their road, one basket at a time.
Lord Ye Loves Dragons
A man fills his home with dragon art, but a visit from a real dragon reveals what he truly loves.
Drawing Legs on a Snake
A quick artist loses a jug of wine when pride makes him add four unnecessary legs to a finished snake.
Impostor in the Orchestra
A man hides inside a royal orchestra until a new king asks every musician to perform alone.