Stories by topic
Chinese folklore
民间故事
Wisdom, courage, and wonder passed from one generation to the next.
海Shanhai StoryChinese stories for learners
58 stories
STORY 01年
HSK 4 · 3 questions
年兽的故事
The Nian Beast
STORY 03山
HSK 4 · 3 questions
愚公移山
Yu Gong Moves the Mountains
STORY 05笔
HSK 4 · 3 questions
神笔马良
Ma Liang and the Magic Paintbrush
STORY 06缘
HSK 4 · 3 questions
白蛇传
The Legend of the White Snake
STORY 08兔
HSK 4 · 3 questions
守株待兔
Waiting by the Tree for Rabbits
STORY 09缸
HSK 4 · 3 questions
司马光砸缸
Sima Guang Breaks the Water Vat
STORY 13城
HSK 4 · 3 questions
孟姜女哭长城
Meng Jiangnü Weeps at the Great Wall
STORY 14螺
HSK 5 · 3 questions
田螺姑娘
The Snail Maiden
STORY 17寿
HSK 1 · 3 questions
一碗长寿面
A Bowl of Birthday Noodles
STORY 19井
HSK 2 · 3 questions
井底之蛙
The Frog in the Well
STORY 20虎
HSK 2 · 3 questions
狐假虎威
The Fox Borrows the Tiger’s Might
STORY 21月
HSK 2 · 3 questions
猴子捞月
The Monkeys Fish for the Moon
STORY 22羊
HSK 3 · 3 questions
亡羊补牢
Mend the Pen After Losing a Sheep
STORY 23蛇
HSK 3 · 3 questions
画蛇添足
Drawing Legs on a Snake
STORY 24剑
HSK 3 · 3 questions
刻舟求剑
Marking the Boat to Find a Sword
STORY 27河
HSK 2 · 3 questions
小马过河
The Little Horse Crosses the River
STORY 28水
HSK 2 · 3 questions
乌鸦喝水
The Crow Drinks Water
STORY 29铃
HSK 3 · 3 questions
掩耳盗铃
Covering One's Ears While Stealing a Bell
STORY 30象
HSK 3 · 3 questions
曹冲称象
Cao Chong Weighs an Elephant
STORY 31盾
HSK 3 · 3 questions
自相矛盾
The Spear and the Shield
STORY 32琴
HSK 3 · 3 questions
对牛弹琴
Playing the Lute to a Cow
STORY 33象
HSK 4 · 3 questions
盲人摸象
The Blind Men and the Elephant
STORY 34竽
HSK 4 · 3 questions
滥竽充数
The Man Who Pretended to Play
STORY 35苗
HSK 3 · 3 questions
拔苗助长
Pulling Seedlings to Help Them Grow
STORY 36龙
HSK 3 · 3 questions
叶公好龙
Lord Ye Loves Dragons
STORY 37栗
HSK 3 · 3 questions
朝三暮四
Three in the Morning, Four at Night
STORY 38马
HSK 4 · 3 questions
塞翁失马
The Old Man Loses His Horse
STORY 39弓
HSK 4 · 3 questions
杯弓蛇影
The Snake Reflection in the Cup
STORY 40吒
HSK 4 · 3 questions
哪吒闹海
Nezha Conquers the Sea
STORY 41悟
HSK 4 · 3 questions
大闹天宫
Havoc in Heaven
STORY 42兰
HSK 4 · 3 questions
木兰从军
Mulan Joins the Army
STORY 54睛
HSK 2 · 3 questions
画龙点睛
Adding the Eyes to the Dragon
STORY 55辕
HSK 3 · 3 questions
南辕北辙
Driving North to Go South
STORY 56针
HSK 3 · 3 questions
铁杵成针
Grinding an Iron Rod into a Needle
STORY 67虎
HSK 3 · 3 questions
与虎谋皮
Asking a Tiger for Its Skin
STORY 68胆
HSK 4 · 3 questions
卧薪尝胆
Sleeping on Brushwood and Tasting Gall
STORY 69伥
HSK 4 · 3 questions
为虎作伥
Helping the Tiger Hunt
STORY 72梨
HSK 2 · 3 questions
孔融让梨
Kong Rong Shares the Pears
STORY 73狼
HSK 4 · 3 questions
东郭先生和狼
Mr. Dongguo and the Wolf
STORY 78信
HSK 3 · 3 questions
曾子杀猪
Zengzi Kills the Pig
STORY 80马
HSK 4 · 3 questions
田忌赛马
Tian Ji’s Horse Racing Strategy
STORY 102挂
HSK 4 · 3 questions
挂羊头卖狗肉
Hang a Sheep’s Head and Sell Dog Meat
STORY 103珠
HSK 3 · 3 questions
买椟还珠
Buy the Box and Return the Pearl
STORY 108虎
HSK 3 · 3 questions
三人成虎
Three People Make a Tiger
STORY 109争
HSK 4 · 3 questions
鹬蚌相争
The Snipe and the Clam
STORY 110熟
HSK 4 · 3 questions
熟能生巧
Practice Makes Perfect
STORY 111弓
HSK 4 · 3 questions
惊弓之鸟
The Bird Startled by the Bow
STORY 112兵
HSK 4 · 3 questions
纸上谈兵
War on Paper
STORY 113履
HSK 4 · 3 questions
郑人买履
The Zheng Man Who Bought Shoes
STORY 114颦
HSK 4 · 3 questions
东施效颦
Dongshi Imitates a Frown
STORY 115驴
HSK 5 · 3 questions
黔驴技穷
The Donkey of Guizhou
STORY 116忧
HSK 4 · 3 questions
杞人忧天
The Man Who Worried the Sky Would Fall
STORY 117鸣
HSK 4 · 3 questions
一鸣惊人
A Single Cry That Amazed the World
STORY 118齿
HSK 5 · 3 questions
唇亡齿寒
When the Lips Are Gone, the Teeth Grow Cold
STORY 119退
HSK 5 · 3 questions
退避三舍
Retreat Three She
STORY 120荐
HSK 5 · 3 questions
毛遂自荐
Mao Sui Recommends Himself
STORY 125箭
HSK 4 · 3 questions
一箭双雕
Two Eagles with One Arrow
STORY 126舞
HSK 4 · 3 questions
闻鸡起舞
Rise at Cockcrow and Practise