Here are a few classic Chinese stories translated into English for elementary school students:
- The Monkey King (Sun Wukong)
Once upon a time, there was a monkey named Sun Wukong. He was very clever and strong. Sun Wukong became the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and helped the Tang Monk on his journey to retrieve the sacred scriptures from India.
- The Story of the White Snake
Long ago, there was a white snake who lived in a cave by a river. She was a wise and kind spirit. The white snake fell in love with a young man named Zheng He, who was traveling. Despite the dangers, they lived happily together. However, their love was forbidden, and they faced many challenges.
- The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is one of the wonders of the world. It was built to protect the Chinese empire from invaders. Many people worked together to build this magnificent structure over many years. It’s said that the wall is so long that it can be seen from the moon!
- The Fisherman and the Dragon King
A poor fisherman caught a magical fish while fishing in the sea. The fish asked the fisherman to release him, promising to grant him a wish. The fisherman wished to become a rich man. The fish turned into a dragon and helped the fisherman achieve his wish.
- The Journey of the Jade Rabbit
The Moon has a bright white rabbit living in it. This rabbit is said to be the Moon Goddess’ helper. Every night, the rabbit pounds the moon with a hammer, making the moon shine so brightly.
- The Tortoise and the Hare
This is a famous fable about a slow-moving tortoise and a fast-running hare. The hare boasts about how fast he is and challenges the tortoise to a race. The tortoise, though slow, wins the race by not giving up.
- The Magic Mirror of Yen Ouyang
Yen Ouyang was a wise and generous man. He had a magic mirror that could show him anything he wanted. One day, he saw a poor old woman and decided to help her. The old woman turned out to be the goddess of mercy, who rewarded Yen Ouyang with great wealth and happiness.
These stories are not only entertaining but also rich in cultural and moral lessons.
