Chinese Folk Tales |
China is the most heavily populated country in the world with over 1.3 billion people, living there.
China is an ancient country, its civilization is nearly 4000 years old. Chinese tales often explain human nature, historical or legendary events. The supernatural also frequently is encountered.
In common with many other cultures the stories frequently explain natural phenomena and local landmarks.
Our stories are mainly taken from T'ai-Shang Kan-Ying P'ien Translated from the Chinese by Teitaro Suzuki and Dr. Paul Carus published in 1906.
Ho Kwan would not hurt any living being. After he refused to melt down ants who had eaten his silver his reward was a dream telling him of buried treasure.
Three sons of a respected gentleman care not for culture, but rather hunting and destruction. They fatally do not heed the warning of an old man they meet.
The people of China did not have enough animal skins for clothes, but then Si-ling wife of Hoangti the emperor watched silkworms at work and had an idea.
Wing Ling wishes the moon will drop down money so that he can buy moon cakes. Little does he know even more magical things will occur by Porcelain Pagoda.
P'ang Heng-Hsiu and his friends worship the Northern Constellation, but one day he is disrespectful and is severely warned by Ti Chun, the Lord Superior.
Although he is poor Ch'uan Ju-Yu always tries to do good and be charitable. One day he is shipwrecked and a Taoist scholar shows him how true his path is.
Shen of Tai-Ts'ang is a wealthy but cruel man, who destroys others possessions and does not heed his daughter-in-law warnings that heaven will punish him.
Sources And Further Reading |
Sacred Texts T'ai-Shang Kan-Ying P'ien Translated from the Chinese by Teitaro Suzuki and Dr. Paul Carus [1906]