Classic stories

A series of comprehensible input videos telling classic Chinese stories and tales.

12 videos · Total duration: 01:50:32

15:56

Beginner

Gong MingyiThe video is about a man named Gong Mingyi who lived in ancient times and loved playing the qin. He tries to play the qin for a cow in the countryside, but realizes that sometimes it's not worth communicating with someone who doesn't understand or appreciate you, using the metaphor of "playing the qin for a cow."Blabla Chinese - Comprehensible Input

10:09

Beginner

Houyi Shoots the SunsThe video tells the Chinese mythological story of Hou Yi shooting down nine of the ten suns that were causing extreme heat and suffering on Earth, with his wife Chang'e intervening to save the last sun and restore order, allowing people to return to their normal lives under the warmth and light of the sun.Comprehensible Mandarin

09:34

Beginner

2 Chinese FablesThe video discusses two stories, one about a farmer who waits for a rabbit to bump into a tree and the other about a hero shooting down multiple suns to save the earth. Both stories highlight the importance of hard work and perseverance over relying on luck or quick fixes.Comprehensible Mandarin

07:24

Beginner

The Cup Snake ShadowThe video tells the story of "杯公蛇影", where a friend falls ill after mistaking a reflection of a bow in a cup for a snake. It illustrates the power of perception and how our mental state can affect our physical well-being.Comprehensible Mandarin

05:13

Beginner

How can you catch the tiger cub without entering the tiger's cave?The video discusses the Chinese idiom "不入虎穴 焉得虎子", which translates to "Without entering the tiger's den, how can one get the tiger's cub". It conveys the message that sometimes taking risks and facing dangers is essential to reap valuable rewards or achieve great success.Comprehensible Mandarin

10:29

Beginner

The Legend of White Snake The video discusses the traditional Chinese legend of Bai Suzhen, also known as Madam White Snake, who transforms from a snake into a beautiful woman and falls in love with a man named Xu Xian. Through various trials and tribulations, including their son's filial piety, they are eventually reunited for a happy life together.Comprehensible Mandarin

10:14

Beginner

Give up halfwayThe video discusses the Chinese idiom "半途而废" which means giving up halfway through a task. It tells a story about a man named 岳阳 who initially wanted to abandon his studies but was motivated by his wise wife to continue and eventually succeed.Comprehensible Mandarin

06:12

Beginner

One hundred shots, one hundred hits The video tells the story of a sharpshooter in ancient China who could hit his target with every shot from a great distance, leading to the idiom "百发百中" which now means to have a high level of certainty and success in achieving a goal in modern Chinese language.Comprehensible Mandarin

10:45

Beginner

To play the zither to a cowThe video discusses the Chinese idiom "对牛弹琴," which literally means "playing the lute to a cow." The story illustrates the idea that sometimes our efforts may not be understood or appreciated by the intended audience, likened to playing music to an unappreciative cow, symbolizing a futile or pointless endeavor.Comprehensible Mandarin

09:33

Beginner

Pulling up seedlings to help them growThe video discusses the Chinese idiom "拔苗助长" which means to rush things and hinder progress. It tells the story of a farmer who thought pulling up young plants would make them grow faster, but instead, they withered. The lesson is to not rush the natural growth process and follow objective rules.Comprehensible Mandarin

04:23

Beginner

Haste Makes WasteThe video tells the ancient Chinese story of "亚苗助长" where a farmer mistakenly believed that pulling up the seedlings would help them grow taller and ended up killing them, teaching the lesson that interfering too much can have negative consequences.Comprehensible Mandarin

10:40

Beginner

CinderellaThis video tells the story of Cinderella, a girl mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters but ultimately finds happiness with a prince after he finds her with the help of a lost glass slipper.Comprehensible Mandarin