The story of how Chinese zodiac signs become the order we perceive today. Let’s find out together!

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Life

Dynasty: Mythical Period

Main Vocabularies: 种、比赛、动物、老鼠、生肖

Grammar: 才

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 532

Words Level: HSK4

Sun Moon Lake is a renowned tourist spot in Taiwan. People are attracted both by its beautiful scenery and its name. This story will tell you how and why this famous lake has such a poetic name.

Theme: Traveling、Fable, Mythology、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Mythical Period

Main Vocabularies: 死、爷爷、剪刀、太阳、月亮

Grammar: 终于

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 803

Words Level: HSK4

Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Chinese communities. This festival originates from a love story in ancient China. Let’s find out why people worship the moon during Mid-Autumn Festival.

Theme: Festival、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Mythical Period

Main Vocabularies: 把、天空、太阳、月亮、特别

Grammar: 才

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 821

Words Level: HSK4

Do you know what's the story behind Chinese Valentine's Day? It's about a common man fell in love with a beautiful goddess. Wanna read? Let's read it!

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Festival、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Mythical Period

Main Vocabularies: 牛、一边、另外、神仙、结婚

Grammar: 就、被

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 573

Words Level: HSK4

In Chinese fable, a man asked a fox for its skin, so that he could make clothes with it. Do you think the fox would agree to that?

Theme: Idiom、Fable, Mythology、Animals and Plants

Dynasty: Zhou Dynasty(1111-256 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 虎、皮、狐狸、当然

Grammar: 就是…

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 244

Words Level: HSK4

During the Spring and Autumn Period of China, there was an incompetent emperor who believed the lies of the eunuch Fei Wuji and wanted to dethrone the crown prince. At that time, the crown prince had a great teacher named Wu She. Fei Wuji asked Wu She to join him and depose the crown prince together, but Wu She refused and was framed and imprisoned.

Theme: Idiom、History

Dynasty: Spring Autumn Period、Warring States Period(700-221 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 皇帝,太子,厉害,加入,逃走,父亲,害怕,精神,压力,情况,突然,发出,任何,把,被,抓,救,极,而,追,吓,躲,并

Grammar: 被 bèi

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 348

Words Level: HSK4

In the state of Chu, there was a famous man known to all as "Ye Gong." Ye Gong often told people that he loved dragons the most because dragons could transform at will and control the weather, making them quite powerful. What's Dragon got to do with him?

Theme: Character、Idiom

Dynasty: Spring Autumn Period、Warring States Period(700-221 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 呼风唤雨,变化,相当,石头,除了,屋子,家具,关系,设计,日常,或是,当中,决定,突然,立刻,反而,龙,盖,时,内,并,连,传,被

Grammar: 反而 fǎn ér

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 378

Words Level: HSK4

In Chinese history, "Xishi" is one of the four most famous beauties. She offen suffered from pains in her chest.

Theme: Character、Idiom

Dynasty: Spring Autumn Period、Warring States Period(700-221 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 历史,美女,就是,而且,经常,发作,胸口,突然,一边,这样,难看,叫做,赞美,嫉妒,出门,屁股,结果,那样,方式,加上,之,皱,捂,而,却,敢,连,扭来扭去

Grammar: 一边......，一边......

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 343

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

During the Warring States period, there was a handsome man named Zou Ji in the state of Qi. One day, Zou Ji asked his wife and the guests, "Compared to Duke Xu, who is more handsome? They answered together, "Of course, you are more handsome!”

Theme: Idiom

Dynasty: Spring Autumn Period、Warring States Period(700-221 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 时代,根本,强国,提出,建议,奖赏,得到,就是,帅,而,全

Grammar: 对

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 300

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

Bian He, who discovered the most precious jade throughout Chinese history, actually had a saddening story behind the discovery of this piece of jade. Let's read the story together!

Theme: Character、History

Dynasty: Spring Autumn Period、Warring States Period(700-221 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 骗、玉、故事、命令、石头

Grammar: 却、被

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 554

Words Level: HSK4

There’s a saying in English which expresses that you can achieve two aims at once, and this story is going to introduce the Chinese version of this saying! Let’s read!

Theme: Idiom、Life、Social Phenomenon

Dynasty: Spring Autumn Period、Warring States Period(700-221 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 只、咬、死、老人、老虎

Grammar: 不但…又、被

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 296

Words Level: HSK4

Qing Xiba was a servant who went hunting with his master. Though furious, his master still managed to see the goodness in Qing Xiba.

Theme: Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Spring Autumn Period、Warring States Period(700-221 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 决定、难过、放、先、只

Grammar: 像...一样

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 563

Words Level: HSK2/YCT3&4

Target Age Group: For age over 13

Gong Sulong was the kind of teachers who were looking for unusual talent. Once, he had a student with a loud voice. How could he apply his talent?

Theme: Character

Dynasty: Spring Autumn Period、Warring States Period(700-221 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 收、当、其他、声音、本领

Grammar: 才、NV成N

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 519

Words Level: HSK4

The King of Qi asked a painter about what the easiest and the most difficult thing to paint is. The painter answered that the easiest would be dogs and horses, and the most difficult would be ghosts. Confused? Let’s find out!

Theme: Life、Social Phenomenon

Dynasty: Spring Autumn Period、Warring States Period(700-221 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 簡單、容易、畫、難、馬

Grammar: V+得+N/PN

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 255

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

Covering ones ears while stealing a bell is a prevailing saying in Chinese which describe a fool thought he could successfully steal the bell without being noticed. Lets find out how this fool tried but failed!

Theme: Idiom

Dynasty: Spring Autumn Period、Warring States Period(700-221 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 铃铛、办法、耳朵、声音、只要

Grammar: 一…就、就是

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 527

Words Level: HSK4

Jizi was a man of ancient China. He was very rich but with bad manner. One day he saw a piece of gold in the road. Will he pick it up?

Theme: Character、Social Phenomenon

Dynasty: Spring Autumn Period、Warring States Period(700-221 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 捡、旧、瘦、乞丐

Grammar: 被、还是、经过

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 303

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

Before she left for the market, Zenzi’s wife promised her son to kill the pig and make a delicious dish out of it. She was so surprised to see Zenzi serious about killing the pig, but what Zenzi later said convinced his wife, and also make this story

Theme: Character、Life、History

Dynasty: Spring Autumn Period、Warring States Period(700-221 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 骗、杀、哭、猪、而且

Grammar: 为了、才

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 522

Words Level: HSK4

Liu Bang and Xiang Yu were leaders and each of them commanded their own forces. They both wanted to be the “true” king. Thus, they agreed that whichever of them entered Xianyang city first could become the king.

Theme: Character、History

Dynasty: Qin Dynasty(221-206 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 上厕所,各自,任何,过程,带领,总是,遇到,战争,到达,比较,幸运,不仅,了解,服气,亲自,提醒,只好,保护,之后,打败,就是,久,杀,被,并,而,把,领导者

Grammar: 就 jiù

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 388

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

Hong Kong is a place with many delicious street food, and fishegg is one of them. Let's read a story about fishegg!

Theme: Gourmet

Dynasty: Qin Dynasty(221-206 B.C.)

Main Vocabularies: 清除、地方、汤

Grammar: 就是...

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 582

Words Level: HSK4

After seeing Hua's behavior, he immediately took out a knife and cut the mat that the two of them were sitting on together in half in front of Hua. Then he told Hua Xin that their interests were very different, and they were like mats on the ground, no longer friends.

Theme: Character、Idiom

Dynasty: Han Dynasty(206 B.C. -220)

Main Vocabularies: 看热闹,石头,只是,立刻,属于,突然,外面,开始,热闹,好奇,吸引,人群,再次,前面,兴趣,不再,约,把,丢,土,而,张,被,连,刀,割,

Grammar: 被 bèi

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 385

Words Level: HSK4

During the Han Dynasty, there was a famous general named Han Xin. Before becoming a general, he was just an ordinary person and often had nothing to eat. At that time, Han Xin could only go fishing by the river. On a good day, he might catch a few big fish. Unluckily, he often got nothing and was often hungry.

Theme: Character、Idiom、History、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Han Dynasty(206 B.C. -220)

Main Vocabularies: 家常便饭,普通人,只是,钓鱼,运气,同情,当成,保证,报答,希望,将来,需要,因此,丰盛,就是,钓,时,把,并

Grammar: 把A当作B bǎ A dāngzuò B

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 360

Words Level: HSK4

China’s papermaking is a great invention. Before the invention of papermaking, people mostly used animal skins or bamboo to write. But these create a lot of problems.

Theme: Character、Culture

Dynasty: Han Dynasty(206 B.C. -220)

Main Vocabularies: 造纸术,伟大,发明,书写,相当,实验,精神,总是,不断,希望,解决,价格,制作,成功,制造,类似,现代,购买,技术,并且,世界,文化,发展,产生,项,皮

Grammar: 经过

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 317

Words Level: HSK4

During the Three Kingdoms period in China, there were frequent wars between kingdoms. At that time, a man named Zhuge Kongming invented a flying lantern called "Kongming Lantern” to facilitate the transmission of signals during wars.

Theme: Culture、History

Dynasty: Three Kingdoms (220 – 280)

Main Vocabularies: 元宵节,时期,之间,战争,发明,称为,为了,传达,强盗,村民,害怕,里面,约定,近代,当作,祝福,上面,愿望,制作,希望,种,被,而,抢,躲,盏,将,每

Grammar: 历史,文化

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 331

Words Level: HSK4

Kong Rong was a renowned literary writer in ancient China, and he was also known for his morals. Let's read a story about how Kong Rong chose to divide the pears among his brothers.

Theme: Character、Life、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Three Kingdoms (220 – 280)

Main Vocabularies: 把、故事、年纪、应该

Grammar: 却

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 281

Words Level: HSK4

Wang Xizhi was a renowned calligrapher in Chinese history. He was famous for his perseverance and effort on practicing writing calligraphy. It’s said that he was so famous that even the emperor at that time wanted to ask Wang Xizhi to write something

Theme: Character、Idiom、History

Dynasty: Jin Dynasty(265-420)

Main Vocabularies: 手指、休息、练习、皇帝、书法

Grammar: 不仅…也、就是

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 579

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

In the Tang Dynasty of China, there was a famous female emperor named Wu, Ze Tian. When Wu Zetian was young, she had a lover named Chang, Jian Feng. They often went out to eat and drink together. They are food lovers.

Theme: Gourmet、Character

Dynasty: Tang Dynasty(618 – 907)

Main Vocabularies: 的时候,热爱,美食,附近,立刻,前往,老板,慢慢,因此,容易,面食,满足,总是,不了,怀念,幸福,尝,时,种,把,切

Grammar: V得下&V不下 V de xià&V bú xià

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 387

Words Level: HSK4

Fang Xuanling was notoriously known for being afraid of his own wife. The emperor found out about this, and he tried to test the wife. Let’s see what happened!

Theme: Character、History

Dynasty: Tang Dynasty(618 – 907)

Main Vocabularies: 皇帝、接收、醋、怕、对

Grammar: 被、V+光、像…一样

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 510

Words Level: HSK4

In the Song Dynasty, there was a man named Sun Shan. Sun is humorous, and he likes reading. Everyone likes him very much.One year, the state held an examination, and those who passed the examination could become officials in the government…

Theme: Idiom、Joke

Dynasty: Song Dynasty(960-1279)

Main Vocabularies: 读书,幽默,国家,举行,参加,结束,以后,放榜,查看,发现,表示,最后,担心,难过,后来,成功,一会儿,又,当,被,还,把,却,

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 331

Words Level: HSK4

Fan Zhongyan was a man of integrity, but when facing the dilemma between keeping his integrity and being fed and warm, what would he choose? Let’s find out!

Theme: Character、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Song Dynasty(960-1279)

Main Vocabularies: 还、拿、把、有名、金子

Grammar: 虽然…但是

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 551

Words Level: HSK4

Yue Fei was an important general in Chinese history. The day before Yue Fei joined the army, his mother, in order to let him remember the reason why he joined the army, got a tattoo of a four-letter phrase…

Theme: Character、History

Dynasty: Song Dynasty(960-1279)

Main Vocabularies: 故事、军队、但是、国家

Grammar: 就是

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 536

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

“Jiujia Shaobing” is a kind of Chinese baked roll. “Jiujia” in Chinese means help others out of trouble. So what’s the origin of “Jiujia Shaobing”?

Theme: Gourmet、Character

Dynasty: Ming Dynasty(1368-1644)

Main Vocabularies: 又、政府、皇帝、军队、有名

Grammar: 就是

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 271

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

During the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, there was a famous pastry shop in Yanghe Town. There was a long line every day, and its fame spread to the palace. Once the emperor went to the south of the Yangtze River for a tour, he happened to be near the famous pastry shop in Yanghe Town. The emperor and his ministers dressed up as ordinary tourists to try the so-called delicious cakes.

Theme: Gourmet

Dynasty: Qing Dynasty(1644- 1911)

Main Vocabularies: 看起来,没想到,有名,糕饼,皇帝,旅游,刚好,大臣,一般,旅客,所谓, 故意,师傅,按照,模样,并且,要求,难题,难看,车轮,得到,赞赏,立刻,传,便,口,所,尝,而,饼,以,此

Grammar: 而且 érqiě

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 330

Words Level: HSK4

In the early 19th century, the British introduced Coffee beans to Asia. By the end of the 19th century, many missionaries came to China and brought the habit of drinking coffee into the country. Gradually, coffee drinking became a new culinary culture in China.

Theme: Gourmet、Culture、Animals and Plants

Dynasty: Qing Dynasty(1644- 1911)

Main Vocabularies: 咖啡豆,传教士,世纪,亚洲,各地,咖啡,慢慢,形成,饮食,文化,神奇, 突然,发出,果实,好奇,过程,精神,附近,下来,并且,就是,无论,初,被,末,种,香,连,时,所

Grammar: 无论A都B

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 357

Words Level: HSK4

Have you tried stinky tofu before? Stinky tofu is one of the most controversial food from Asia. Most westerners find it weird, but it’s actually tasty! Let’s read its story together!

Theme: Gourmet

Dynasty: Qing Dynasty(1644- 1911)

Main Vocabularies: 把、店、种、食物、豆腐

Grammar: 就是、为了…也、V+光

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 821

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

There are also tasty snacks among Chinese food, and lu da gun is one of the most liked snacks in China. Let’s read the story about how it was invented!

Theme: Gourmet、Character

Dynasty: Qing Dynasty(1644- 1911)

Main Vocabularies: 米、层、把、点心

Grammar: 只好、像…一样、V得+N/PN

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 501

Words Level: HSK4

Zeng Guofan was a famous figure in Chinese history, but he wasn’t very clever as a child. Let’s read his story together!

Theme: Character、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Qing Dynasty(1644- 1911)

Main Vocabularies: 更、等、小偷、聪明、文章

Grammar: 却、竟然

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 278

Words Level: HSK4

Mapo Tofu, an all-time favorite dish for Chinese and Foreigners, was invented by a girl in Sichuan Province. Let’s find out its story!

Theme: Gourmet、Character

Dynasty: Qing Dynasty(1644- 1911)

Main Vocabularies: 餐厅、豆腐、邻居、死

Grammar: 一方面…一方面

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 525

Words Level: HSK4

Anna missed her mom very much. Anna knows that there are many great mothers in the world, just like her mother, who gave everything for her family. She hopes to establish a special festival for mothers, so that everyone can express gratitude to their mothers on that day.

Theme: Festival、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 母亲节,地方,卫生,失去,为了,保护,决定,开始,环境,去世,想念,世界,伟大,母亲,付出,希望,设立,专门,属于,终于,慢慢,庆祝,通常,好好,祝福,惊喜,外面,餐厅,久,顿

Grammar: 为了 wèile

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 467

Words Level: HSK4

There was a wise old man who often went to the nearest store to buy a newspaper every morning. However, the store clerk treated customers very badly and lacked basic manners.

Theme: Philosophy、Life

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 不耐烦,智慧,店员,基本,商品,速度,比较,表现,相当,好奇,选择,为了,就是,左右,连,而,被,所

Grammar: 连……都…… lián……dōu……

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 322

Words Level: HSK4

Xiao Mei felt tired and lay down on the grass. As she lay there, she looked up at the clouds and exclaimed, "Look! That cloud looks like the triangular rice ball I just ate!" Xiao Ming looked up at the sky and said, "It really does! And that other cloud next to it looks like a puppy!" The two lay there discussing the clouds in the sky.

Theme: Life

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 水蒸气，的时候，看起来，天空，奇怪，遇到，慢慢，比较，形状，关系，就是，有趣，棵，朵，升，厚，薄，时，光，照，

Grammar: V 起来

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 437

Words Level: HSK4

During the Shang and Zhou dynasties in China, when people built a house, they would bury a large stone in the foundation of the house, which is now known as the "Shigandang" stone monument. This special stone monument is said to be able to reduce and avoid bad things from happening.

Theme: Culture、Art

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 超自然,时代,石头,就是,石碑,传说,发生,除了,比较,建筑,古代, 产生,崇拜,慢慢,开始,希望,存在,力量,膜拜,里面,保护,即使,现代,社会,类似,地下,文化,盖,埋,晒,于,被

Grammar: 即使.......，还是（也）......

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 335

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

A blind person is trying to wrap his head around the idea of the sun from the description of other people, as he has never seen it before. Lets read what happens together!

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 聊、盲人、其中、太阳、声音

Grammar: 却、就

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 748

Words Level: HSK4

A businessman meets a little girl at a flower shop on Mother’s day, and through her, this businessman finally realizes the true meaning of Mother’s day. Let’s read!

Theme: Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 花、店、地方、商人、把

Grammar: 先…然后、反正、才

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 563

Words Level: HSK4

There was a clever and hard-working student who thought he had known it all after five years of diligent studying. In order to show him that learning had no end, his teacher gave him a task. Let's read!

Theme: Social Phenomenon

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 装、把、沙子、认真、知识

Grammar: 不是…了吗、只要、就

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 492

Words Level: HSK4

Xiao Wang brings tea leaves back home for his family, but no one in the family has ever seen this, so let’s read about how they are going to handle the tea!

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 骂、放、把、叶子、老婆

Grammar: 不是…而是、难怪

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 244

Words Level: HSK4

There was an escalator accident in Beijing, and what a father did to save his daughter from harm will definitely move you. Let’s read the story together!

Theme: Life、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 脚、一定、自己、突然、动物

Grammar: 就是…

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 531

Words Level: HSK4

Three top stars that all star in the same stage play make the same demand to the director of the play. Let’s read how the director solve this conundrum!

Theme: Entertainment、Social Phenomenon

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 表演、燈籠、導演、明星

Grammar: 連…都

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 296

Words Level: HSK4

A German who has a Chinese name runs into an old Chinese gentleman, and they have a very interesting conversation about their names! Let’s read!

Theme: Joke、Life

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 又、老、自己、中文

Grammar: V起来

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 281

Words Level: HSK4

One of the must-eats in Beijing definitely includes Peking roast duck, and one of the most famous roast duck in Beijing is called “Quanjude”. Let’s read how the founder build up this business!

Theme: Gourmet、Business

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 店、烤、以后、招牌、餐厅

Grammar: 因为…而、就是

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 819

Words Level: HSK4

There are many interesting expressions in Chinese, and “shenmen Dongxi” is one of these expressions that has many different meanings.

Theme: Joke

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 文化、吵架、对

Grammar: 才、就是

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 299

Words Level: HSK4

An elementary student carries a bag of stones that weighs about forty-three kilograms every day. All of his classmates and teachers find it really strange, and they’re all greatly moved after knowing the real reason.

Theme: Life、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 背、石头、习惯、重量

Grammar: 卻、才

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 306

Words Level: HSK4

The story behind the name silk-stocking milk tea is actually because of the material the owner used to filter the black tea. Let's read!

Theme: Gourmet

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 奶茶、过滤、袋子、工人、用

Grammar: 为了、像…一样、V+得+N/PN

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 483

Words Level: HSK4

Pearl milk tea is very a popular drink beverage in Taiwan. But do you know how the first cup of pearl milk tea was made? Let's read and find out!

Theme: Gourmet、Social Phenomenon

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 店、放、珍珠、奶茶、饮料

Grammar: 不但..还、不只…也

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 536

Words Level: HSK4

Three people went to a store to buy some snacks. They asked politely the owner, but the owner was pissed off at the end. What exactly did they ask?

Theme: Joke、Life

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 架子、老板、糖、包、拿

Grammar: 还是…

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 311

Words Level: HSK4

A-li is going back to his hometown, and his fellow townsman, Xiao Zhang, asks him to bring back some daily necessities to his mother. And A-li also prepares some money for his mother. However, the reaction from these two mothers is surprising. Let’s

Theme: Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 地、拿、带、袋子

Grammar: 不如…

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 256

Words Level: HSK4

Mr. Lin asked two of his students to fill up the entire room with cheapest thing they can find. What the students chose to stuff the room may give you a different aspect. Let’s read!

Theme: Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 把、父亲、紧张、整个、屋子

Grammar: 不管,..

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 584

Words Level: HSK4

Sometimes cities make people callous, Xiaoli was one example. It turned out that her neighbors were more than what she thought about them. Let’s read!

Theme: Life、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 借、邻居、蜡烛

Grammar: 连..都

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 296

Words Level: HSK4

Kaohsiung is the second largest city in Taiwan, and it has a very famous river. This river is well known for its romance, because it has a very moving story…

Theme: Traveling

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 记者、报导、河、条、用

Grammar: 却、让

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 327

Words Level: HSK4

Once upon a time, there are two friends. One was a man who sold eggs, with the other one who sold pork. One day, they had a debate about a Chinese character. What’s it about? Let’s take a glance!

Theme: Life

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 当然、用、破、指

Grammar: 被、却

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 292

Words Level: HSK4

A Frenchman considered having a Chinese name one day. Commonly, he names of Chinese people often contain two or more characters. However, this Frenchman didn’t want a common name. So what Chinese name did he make for himself in the end?

Theme: Joke、Life

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 踩、一边、中文、姓名

Grammar: 就是

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 568

Words Level: HSK4

If you go to Singapore, Singaporeans would sincerely recommend you to try the Hainan Chicken rice. Hainan Chicken rice has many tasty ingredients. Moreover, it has a very impressive story…

Theme: Gourmet

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 南、生意、移民、一定、历史

Grammar: 就是

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 578

Words Level: HSK4

Under the big and round moon, a little boy’s naïve words accidentally triggers the softest spot of everyone…

Theme: Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 月亮,主人,圓,為了,別人,突然,難過,生氣,其實,一定,需要,照顧,特別

Grammar: 又…又

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 830

Words Level: HSK4

In this story, John, who was learning Chinese came across the condition, and he was totally puzzled by his Chinese friend…

Theme: Joke

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 对、中文、明白、方便

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 313

Words Level: HSK4

There was a grandpa who went to the riverside to fly the kites every day. People were curious about why he insisted on flying kites, and they later found out that there was a touching love story behind it…

Theme: Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 越、放、爷爷、而且、自己

Grammar: 就是、才

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 560

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

A long time ago, there was a man called A-ping who was very foolish and thoughtless. One day he went out to buy shoes, but he forgot the size of his feet. What he did then was really ridiculous….

Theme: Joke、Life

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 店、鞋、双、脚、但是、自己

Grammar: 因为…而

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 549

Words Level: HSK4

Xiao-Fei was a 17-year-old girl, who unfortunately had leukemia in 2012. She was very frustrated, but her classmates didn’t want her to give up hope and fight with the illness. What will her classmates do?

Theme: Life、Inspirational Story、Social Phenomenon

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 一样、生病、锻炼、放弃

Grammar: 为了、让

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 340

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For age over 13

People need to eat to stay alive, but this grandma from the Hubei Province might disagree. Do you want to know what happen to her?

Theme: Life

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 奶奶、出现、神仙、生病、舒服

Grammar: 连…也、还是

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 565

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

A couple from the Czech Republic came to Taiwan to study with the scholarship, and they fell in love with traveling on the ocean. What did they do in the end, with the love for traveling and the ocean? Let’s find out!

Theme: Traveling、Life

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 船、以后、夫妇、世界

Grammar: 为了

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 281

Words Level: HSK4

Theme: Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Modern(1911-)

Main Vocabularies: 借、米、处理、以后、懒惰

Grammar: 才

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 298

Words Level: HSK4

Just as the little bird opened his beak to sing, the cookie slipped out and fell to the ground! The sly fox quickly opened his mouth and caught the cookie. In an instant, he gobbled it up. Before leaving, the fox smirked and said, “Thank you for the treat!” What's going on here?

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Animals and Plants

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 飞来飞去,突然,饼干,赶快,下来,享受,美丽,歌声,只是,为了,容易,好话,经验,希望,注意,错误,把,

Grammar: Compare 才 and 就

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 401

Words Level: HSK4

In the heavens, Thunder God possessed a unique power—he could tell exactly who was good and who was bad. Because of this, the Jade Emperor assigned him an important job: whenever someone did something bad, Thunder God could punish them with thunder and lightning.

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Science

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 放大镜,能力,雷电,慢慢,年纪,受伤,任何,好好,错误,聪明,就是,打雷,闪电,现象,却,伤,死

Grammar: 才 cái

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 410

Words Level: HSK4

There was once a girl named Yuan Xiao who worked in the palace to ern a better living. However, the palace was far away from her hometown. To go home to see her family, she came up with the idea of sending sweet soup to Vulcan.

Theme: Gourmet、Festival

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 为了,里面,家乡,伤心,决定,担心,正月,点亮,着火,安排,赚,躲,烧,煮,甜,汤,把,没想到,元宵节

Grammar: 为了 wèile

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 400

Words Level: HSK4

A group of small animals were playing in the park, and they were comparing with each other who had the strongest ears. The dog said that his ears were the most powerful, and he could hear very small sounds far away. The rabbit said her ears are the most beautiful. Although they are not very big, her ears help dissipate heat when the weather is hot, and children like to touch her ears. So they laughed at the chicken together, and laughed that he was so small and had no ears.

Theme: Animals and Plants

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 看不到,互相,厉害,石头,兔子,跌倒,嘲笑,而且,发生,只有,这样,原来,摸,时,稳,毛,盖

Grammar: 从......到......

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 481

Words Level: HSK4

In a distant village, near the forests surrounding the village, there lived many large animals like lions and tigers. When these large animals could not find food, they would come to the village. As a result, the villagers' sheep and chickens often disappeared.

Theme: Technology、Life、Animals and Plants

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 附近,狮子,老虎,害怕,伤害,终于,里面,机器,发出,自动,羊,死,把, 牛,抓

Grammar: 把 bǎ

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 375

Words Level: HSK4

Girls love to wear high heels because they make you look taller and slimmer. Have you ever heard the story about high heels?

Theme: Life、Social Phenomenon

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 有钱人,就是,鞋子,之后,男人,女人,这样,只是,为了,需要,慢慢,流行,美丽,关系,到处,

Grammar: 比较 bǐjiào

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 350

Words Level: HSK4

Two young men were job haunting. They walked together on a road and, at the end, found a piece of land on each side of the road. They both thought, "I'll start working here!" What will happen to them?

Theme: Business、Life、Social Phenomenon

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 年轻人,动物园,越来越,左右,选择,星星,旅游,为了,另外,不同,于是,需要,努力,只有,是否,因此,认真,结果,盖,而

Grammar: 为了wèile

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 350

Words Level: HSK2/YCT3&4

Shadow Sister is a playful child. She likes to play around during the day because she can be seen wherever there is sunlight. She doesn't like to sleep. Even in the middle of the night, we can see her wherever there is light.

Theme: Science

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 一模一样,的时候,影子,任何,只是,只有,游戏,傍晚,整天,力量,有趣,光,约,照

Grammar: 有时候A,有时候B yǒu shí hou A yǒu shí hou B

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 363

Words Level: HSK4

Owls are very important pest controllers in nature, specializing in catching field mice to prevent them from damaging farmers' crops. However, owls are often considered ugly, and their calls are not as pleasant as those of the orioles. Many people dislike them and believe they bring bad luck.

Theme: Philosophy、Animals and Plants

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 五颜六色,赏心悦目,农作物,专家,专门,农夫,比较,自然,建议,就是,为了,动力,抓,替,类,被,所,把,而

Grammar: 其他 qítā

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 316

Words Level: HSK4

One day, a pair of brothers with a very good relationship made an appointment to go hunting together in the mountains. After reaching the mountaintop, the elder brother suddenly heard the voice of the wild goose. He said to his younger brother, "Shoot the wild goose down quickly, we can cook it." What’s next they will do?

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 找不到,感情,突然,下来,不断,争吵,决定,内容,简单,完美,解决,同意,建议,再也,任何,约,把,射,吵,时

Grammar: 来+VP

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 300

Words Level: HSK4

There is a mother and son living in a small village. The son is a farmer. He works in the morning and helps his mother with housework in the evening. He is a filial child and also a smart person. Whenever his neighbors have any questions, they will ask him.

Theme: Science

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 农夫,家事,孝顺,邻居,淹水,而且,锅子,慢慢,成功,工具,黑色,盐,泡,泥,混,倒,流,沙,留,煮,摸,滑,臭,舀

Grammar: 这样（一来）

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 402

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For age over 13

A man named Gao Yang in the Song Dynasty wanted to build a house. He hired workers to cut down trees and hastened them to build up his house. When the workers arrived at the site, they found that all the trees were freshly cut, with their bark still on, and the middle of the trees were not yet dry.

Theme: Fable, Mythology

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 越来越,许多,木材,工人,现场,树木,而且,这些,新鲜,水分,等到,使用,倒塌,立刻,不久,顺利,坚持,正确,到处,变成,盖,当,并,干,闻,完,斜

Grammar: 而且/并（且）

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 396

Words Level: HSK4

In Guangzhou, China, there is a very famous teahouse that sells all kinds of dim sum and pastries. One day a new dim sum baker of the teahouse from Chaozhou, brought home some popular dim sum dishes for his wife to taste. After taking a bite of the dim sum he brought back, his wife said, "The famous tea house Dim sum is so ordinary! It is not comparable to the wax gourd cake made by my mother."

Theme: Gourmet

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 比不上,有名,茶楼,糕饼,师傅,老婆,竟然,这样,之后,品尝,刚好,相当,生意,不再,只是,成为,及,尝,口,饼,当,内,馅,并,赢,将,起,为

Grammar: 不再......bú zài.....

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 385

Words Level: HSK4

In ancient times, there was a terrible demon called "Sui". Every year, on the night of New Year's Eve, the demon would run into the villagers ‘houses and touch the heads of sleeping children. The children would be scared and cry. Even worse, the children who were touched by the demon's head would have fever and become stupid.

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Culture

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 可怕,妖怪,除夕,睡着,发烧,变成,夫妻,害怕,枕头,进入,立刻,原来,红色,因此,避免,遇到,这样,从此,靠近,做法,流传,演变,红包,古,偷,摸,吓,,当,正,时,光,敢,便,成

Grammar: 出 chū

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 370

Words Level: HSK4

There was a magician passing through the forest. He saw an eagle carrying a mouse. Suddenly, a strong wind blew, and the mouse fell from the eagle's mouth. The magician felt that the mouse was very pity, so he turned it into a beautiful little girl.

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Animals and Plants

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 魔法师,森林,老鼠,突然,下来,可怜,变成,姑娘,长大,丈夫,力量,强大,道理,完全,时,阵,吹,为,选,光,嫁

Grammar: 才 cái

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 389

Words Level: HSK4

A big gray wolf was eating and accidentally swallowed a hard bone. The big gray wolf felt very uncomfortable in his throat. He tried many ways, but he could not take out the bone. The wolf decided to go to the hospital to find a doctor to help him.

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Life、Animals and Plants

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 骨头,喉咙,无法,决定,遇到,乌鸦,情况,之后,嘴巴,立刻,并且,任务,竟然,狼,将

Grammar: 把 bǎ

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 333

Words Level: HSK4

Once upon a time, there was a man selling oranges on the roadside. At noon, an old man came across the road. He looked at his oranges and said, "I'm hungry, can you please give me an orange? The man selling the oranges was very stingy and said loudly, "No!”

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Social Phenomenon、Irony

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 越来越,橘子,不见,原来,免费,摘,小气,可怜,种子,忽然,感到, 惊讶,连,完,当,时,袋,换,埋,冒,根,芽,成,棵

Grammar: 越（是）......，越（是）....../愈（是）......，愈

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 413

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

A long time ago, an old couple saw a young man hiding in the rain at the entrance of their house. His clothes were already wet, so the old man invited him to come inside to take shelter and asked his wife to cook a bowl of taro for the young man.

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Social Phenomenon、Irony

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 年轻人,比不上,并且,芋头,为了,失望,根本,于是,各种,当然,久,躲,煮,香,派,把,皱

Grammar: 于是

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 318

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

There was a tiger sleeping under the tree. A mouse came by and jumped onto his back. The tiger was shocked and caught the mouse angrily, deciding to eat it. The mouse bagged the tiger not to eat itself and said, “If someday you have difficulties, I will help you.”

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Life、Animals and Plants

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 吓了一跳,好朋友,抓住,困难,害怕,下来,成功,逃走,跳,把,救,绑,玩

Grammar: 都dōu

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 239

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

A lion was just waking up. He then went for food. He saw a cave. He wanted to stay inside to wait for other animals living in the cave.

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Life、Animals and Plants

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 找不到,森林,里面,外面,脚印,逃走,久,躲,掉,心,笨，洞

Grammar: 的 de

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 331

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For age over 13

A Wang was a donkey. His work was to deliver the goods across the river. One time, he carelessly fell down in the river. The bags with some salt also fell down, making the bags lighter. After that, he would like to do this again purposely, and…….

Theme: Joke、Education、Irony、Transportation

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 轻松,故意,起来,小心,溶化,驴,把,运,河,岸,布袋,跌倒,重,轻

Grammar: 从…到…

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 251

Words Level: HSK4

The crow's voice was very terrible, while he liked singing. His neighbors couldn't stand him and hoped that he could make a move. He had no choice but to move around constantly. The pigeon told him, "If you sing less or change your voice, you don't have to make a move so often."

Theme: Life

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 乌鸦,鸽子,声音,离开,以前,其实,或者,经常,如果,还是自己,别人,邻居,搬家,又,吵,骂,搬,

Grammar: 又

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 327

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For age over 13

Several blind men are trying to figure out just exactly how elephants look like, and do you think they all agree with each other on the shape of elephants?

Theme: Idiom、Joke、Life、Animals and Plants

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 瞎子、叶子、样子、以后、大象

Grammar: 让

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 464

Words Level: HSK4

Little turtle thinks it deserves a better job with the many talents it has. Will it succeed in the end?

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Life、Animals and Plants

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 青蛙、老虎、陆地、池塘

Grammar: 不管,..还是、像…一样

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 521

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For age over 13

What’s your definition of a good friend? Is intelligence a must, or, is loyalty the most important thing to you? Let’s find out what the donkey's definition of a good friend!

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Joke、Life、Animals and Plants

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 扔、拉、猪、应该、绳子

Grammar: 于是、不管…都

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 511

Words Level: HSK4

Two vendors who sold blankets and steamed buns were taking shelter in a crummy house. How would they survive the night with one vendor starving and the other chilled to the bones?

Theme: Life、Irony

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 还、盖、包子、被子

Grammar: 于是

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 520

Words Level: HSK4

A fox tells a tiger that it's greater, and the fox even offers to take a walk with the tiger to prove what it says is right. Can you guess what happens in the end?

Theme: Fable, Mythology

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 怕、只、一定、动物、老虎

Grammar: 不但…还

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 524

Words Level: HSK4

Ghosts’ festival is one of the most important festivals in Chinese culture. Let’s read the story about this festival!

Theme: Character、Festival

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 拿、办法、别人、经常

Grammar: 终于、V+光

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 620

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For both above

The story behind the idiom, “Three in the morning and four in the evening”, is about how a master allocating the fruits to the monkeys he kept. Let’s read!

Theme: Idiom、Life

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 颗、主人、以前、猴子、欺骗

Grammar: 一会儿…一会儿

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 316

Words Level: HSK4

Chick only knows eating and sleeping all day. Its mother’s worried about it, but it wouldn’t listen. What would happen to it?

Theme: Life、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 对、自己、总是、以前

Grammar: 只好、不管…也、V+下去

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 523

Words Level: HSK4

An ant is saved by a little bird someday, and it keeps this favor in it mind, wishing it would have a chance to return the favor. And one day, the chance comes when the little bird facing a fatal danger…

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 救、鸟、只、叶子、池塘

Grammar: 该...

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 294

Words Level: HSK2/YCT3&4

Chen Peng was a student who was on his way to attend the government exam. He was so nervous that he made two seemingly odd dreams two days before the exam. Let us read how the fortune teller and inn keeper deciphered his dreams!

Theme: Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 种、墙、梦、参加、老板

Grammar: 就是、V得+N/PN

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 535

Words Level: HSK4

Big sheep and little lamb are planning to take a trip together. But little lamb always has some excuses not to go, what would happen in the end? Let’s find out!

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Life

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 等、羊、旅行、太阳

Grammar: 等…再

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 260

Words Level: HSK2/YCT3&4

Target Age Group: For age over 13

Life for was Xie Dingzhu hard. He had to take care of his family since his father passed away. One day, a tiger came to take away his mother for its food. What would Xie Dingzhu do?

Theme: Life、Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 只、牛、马上、石头、老虎

Grammar: 被

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 796

Words Level: HSK4

A lion takes over the little monkey’s house. Since the little monkey can’t win the house back by force, so he comes up with a clever way to get its house back. Let’s read!

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 把、狮子、猴子

Grammar: V+得+N/PN

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 279

Words Level: HSK4

A resourceful village chief has saved the entire village by observing elephants. Let's read together and learn from the chief!

Theme: Inspirational Story

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 长、带、鼻子、大象

Grammar: 才

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 275

Words Level: HSK4

The story of the little tadpoles looking for their mother, and their encounters with various animals.

Theme: Life

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 自己、特别、一样、条、地

Grammar: 还…、就…

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 791

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For age over 13

A fox is trapped inside a well, and it thinks of a clever way to get out of it when a goat wonders by. Let’s read it!

Theme: Fable, Mythology、Life

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 先、只、井、然后

Grammar: 才

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 260

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For age over 13

The kangaroo in the zoo escapes from its cage one day, and all the zookeepers are wondering how it comes out of the cage. But what they don’t see is revealed in the conversation of other animals.

Theme: Joke

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 米、动物、决定、于是、管理员

Grammar: 还是…

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 280

Words Level: HSK4

There was a little monk who lived in a small temple by himself, and one day a tall monk moved into the temple. By the time the tall monk got the temple, they had an argument of who should fetch the water from the river. And when another fat monk move

Theme: Fable, Mythology

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 又、光、半、自己、个子

Grammar: V+光、却、才…

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 549

Words Level: HSK4

Once upon a time, there was a king who broke his leg while he was hunting. Everybody was very sorry about that, except his chancellor. The king was very angry and asked him why. The chancellor told him that it’s the best arrangement from the god. Why

Theme: Fable, Mythology

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 礼物、狮子、最好、安排、死

Grammar: 以为..没想到、V+起来

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 813

Words Level: HSK4

A hungry lion found a rabbit that was sleeping deeply under a tree. However, just then a deer appeared not far away from him. What’s the lion’s choice?

Theme: Fable, Mythology

Dynasty: Other

Main Vocabularies: 努力、正在、狮子、食物、蝴蝶

Grammar: 只好

Level of Difficulty:

Words Count: 560

Words Level: HSK4

Target Age Group: For age over 13