Chinese Fairy Tales
Traditional Chinese stories — folklore, legends, and fables from ancient China.
77 stories in this collection
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[INTRODUCTION](#div1Refchintro)
The introduction itself does not contain a moral, but it sets up a story that will likely have one a...
A BODY-SNATCHING EXPEDITION
Greed and disrespect for other cultures can lead to absurd failures and international incidents.
A CHINESE FAIRY TALE
True artistic talent and dedication will eventually be recognized and rewarded, while malice and env...
A CHINESE FAIRY TALE
True artistic talent and dedication will eventually be recognized and rewarded, while malice and env...
A Pinocchio gli vengono gli orecchi di ciuco, e poi diventa un ciuchino vero e comincia a ragliare
Laziness, disobedience, and choosing bad company lead to undesirable consequences.
ADVENTURES OF THE THREE PRINCES, SONS OF THE SULTAN OF CHINA
It is wise to learn a useful skill, for even a king may one day need to rely on his own hands for su...
BAMBOO AND THE TURTLE
Chin-Chin Kobakama
Laziness can lead to unexpected and frightening consequences, and it's important to take responsibil...
CHIN-CHIN KOBAKAMA
Laziness can lead to unexpected and frightening consequences, and it is important to take responsibi...
CHING CHONG CHINAMAN
Kindness and perseverance are rewarded, while greed and cruelty lead to ruin.
CONFUCIANISM IN ITS PHILOSOPHICAL FORM
Right conduct, aligned with eternal verities and fulfilling one's destiny, is paramount for societal...
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DER KAISER VON CHINA UND DIE GRIECHISCHE PRINZESSIN
Prejudice based on limited experience can be overcome by a broader understanding of human (or animal...
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DIE CHINESISCHE SKLAVIN UND DER JÜNGLING VON BAGDAD
True love can overcome all obstacles, and generosity is its own reward.
Diventato un ciuchino vero è portato a vendere, e lo compra il Direttore di una compagnia di pagliacci, per insegnargli a ballare e saltare i cerchi: ma una sera azzoppisce e allora lo ricompra un altro, per far con la sua pelle un tamburo
Laziness and a refusal to learn lead to suffering and exploitation, while hard work and obedience ar...
DUMBOM PÅ VISIT
Attempting to conceal a person's true nature with memorized lines can lead to embarrassing and disas...
FABLES FROM THE CHINESE
Pride and anger can lead to one's downfall, and even the weakest can overcome the strong through wis...
FANCHA AND THE MAGPIE
To establish authority and respect, a ruling class may create a noble origin story for themselves.
FAYS OF WATER, WOOD, AND MEADOW
GHOST STORIES
Cunning and knowledge can overcome supernatural threats, but ignoring good advice can lead to peril.
HISTOIRE D'ALADDIN, OU LA LAMPE MERVEILLEUSE
With great power comes great responsibility, and true happiness is found in love and virtue, not jus...
HISTORIC LEGENDS
Even the most powerful sorcerer can be outsmarted, and true redemption requires confronting one's ow...
HOK LEE AND THE DWARFS
Even ill-gotten gains can be transformed into a means for good, and true change comes from within.
HOW FOOTBINDING STARTED
Some cultural practices, though seemingly traditional, may have originated from deceptive and harmfu...
INTERNAL POLITICS: CHINESE AND JAPANESE
La bella Bambina dai capelli turchini fa raccogliere il burattino: lo mette a letto, e chiama tre medici per sapere se sia vivo o morto
Disobedience and bad choices can lead to dire consequences, but there is always hope for redemption ...
LA MALĜUSTE TRAFITAJ KALKANOJ
Applying the wrong solution to a problem, even with good intentions, will only worsen the situation,...
LEGENDS OF THE GODS
LITERARY FAIRY TALES
One should not forget their origins or betray those who helped them, as true character is revealed i...
LU-SAN, DAUGHTER OF HEAVEN
Even in the face of cruelty and neglect, unwavering goodness and compassion can lead to divine rewar...
NATURE AND ANIMAL TALES
What is gained unfairly may eventually be reclaimed by its rightful owner, and supernatural gifts co...
NURSERY FAIRY TALES
Greed leads to ruin, while moderation and contentment bring lasting prosperity.
Pinocchio mangia lo zucchero, ma non vuol purgarsi; però quando vede i becchini che vengono a portarlo via, allora si purga. Poi dice una bugia e per gastigo gli cresce il naso
Lying has visible and often inconvenient consequences, and it's better to face unpleasant truths or ...
Pinocchio piange la morte della bella Bambina dai capelli turchini: poi trova un Colombo, che lo porta sulla riva del mare, e lì si getta nell'acqua per andare in aiuto del suo babbo Geppetto
True love and self-sacrifice can motivate even the most wayward heart to heroic acts.
PRINCE CAMARALZAMAN AND THE PRINCESS OF CHINA
RATTLE-RATTLE-RATTLE AND CHINK-CHINK-CHINK
Kindness and good deeds are rewarded, while cruelty and wickedness lead to ruin.
SHAMANISM AND MYTHICAL ZOÖLOGY
Table of Contents
TALES OF SAINTS AND MAGICIANS
True enlightenment and immortality require complete detachment from all earthly emotions, even love.
THE “SHINANSHA,” OR THE SOUTH POINTING CARRIAGE
Through ingenuity, perseverance, and a commitment to the welfare of one's people, a true leader can ...
THE ART OF ENLARGING PEARLS.—Vol. XI. p.197
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THE BOY WHO HAD A MOON ON HIS FOREHEAD AND A STAR ON HIS CHIN
Truth and virtue will ultimately prevail over deceit and wickedness, and those who commit evil will ...
THE CHINESE ETHICAL SYSTEM IN JAPAN
The cultivation of individual virtue and knowledge is the foundation for a well-ordered family, stat...
THE CURIOUS CASE OF AH-TOP
Obsessive vanity can lead to absurd and self-defeating outcomes.
The Feast of the Lanterns
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The Five Queer Brothers
Even in the face of insurmountable odds and injustice, cleverness and loyalty can lead to triumph.
THE FIVE QUEER BROTHERS
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THE FUYU RACE AND THEIR MIGRATIONS
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THE GOLDEN BEETLE
Betrayal of a friend for selfish gain leads to ruin, and true loyalty should be recognized and rewar...
THE GOLDEN BEETLE OR WHY THE DOG HATES THE CAT
Betrayal and ingratitude, especially towards those who help you, lead to lasting enmity and tragic c...
THE GOLDEN NUGGET
True friendship and unselfishness are more valuable than material wealth, and virtue will eventually...
THE GREAT BELL
True devotion and sacrifice can achieve the impossible and leave a lasting legacy, even when faced w...
THE HISTORY OF THE PRINCESS OF CHINA
THE ISSACHAR OF EASTERN ASIA
THE KOJIKI" AND ITS TEACHINGS
The Lake of Gems
True love and cleverness can overcome obstacles, even those set by powerful beings or greed.
The Leeching of Kayn's Leg.
Pride and ingratitude can lead to the loss of great fortune and happiness, while humility and respec...
THE MAD GOOSE AND THE TIGER FOREST
Kindness and humility can break even the most powerful curses, and true freedom comes from helping o...
THE MAN WHO WOULD NOT SCOLD
Laziness and dishonesty lead to suffering, while hard work and honesty, even when painful, lead to r...
THE NODDING TIGER
True justice can be found in unexpected places, and compassion can transform even the most savage he...
THE PHANTOM VESSEL
True kindness, given without expectation of reward, is the most powerful virtue and can lead to salv...
THE PRINCESS KWAN-YIN
True devotion and unwavering compassion, even in the face of adversity and death, can lead to divine...
THE SECOND STORY BROTHERS
Even the smallest and most unassuming individual can achieve great things through bravery and integr...
THE STONES OF FIVE COLORS AND THE EMPRESS JOKWA
Even in the face of overwhelming disaster, wise and determined leadership can restore order and pros...
THE STONES OF FIVE COLORS AND THE EMPRESS JOKWA. AN OLD CHINESE STORY
Even the most powerful forces of chaos can be overcome by wisdom, courage, and the restoration of na...
The story of Hok Lee and the dwarfs
Even ill-gotten gains can be transformed into legitimate wealth through ingenuity and a change of he...
THE STORY OF THE BIRD FENG
THE STORY OF THE WILLOW PATTERN PLATE
THE STORY OF TSEN-TSZE, A PUPIL OF CONFUCIUS
True filial piety involves not only outward obedience but also an inner reverence and trust in one's...
THE STRANGE TALE OF DOCTOR DOG
True happiness and wisdom can be found in unexpected places and forms, often requiring a leap of fai...
THE TALKING FISH
Experiencing the suffering of others can lead to a profound change in one's own character and behavi...
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THE THREE PRINCES OF CHINA.[\[303\]](#f303)
Resourcefulness and practical skills can save one from dire situations, and evil deeds will eventual...
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THE THREE PRINCES OF CHINA.[303](#linknote-303)
Be wary of strangers and their deceptive offers, especially when desperate.
THE TWO JUGGLERS
True magic can transform not only the physical world but also the hearts and actions of people, lead...
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THE WIND, THE CLOUDS, AND THE SNOW[1](#xd32e1302)
No single element of nature, or person, is superior to another; all have their unique and interdepen...
THE WONDERFUL TALE OF NIKKO
True worth and happiness are found not in titles or possessions, but in genuine character and loyal ...
THE WOODEN TABLET
Filial piety and respect for one's ancestors, even in the face of adversity, will be richly rewarded...
YE STORY OF A BLUE CHINA PLATE
Love can find a way to escape even the most determined opposition, sometimes with a touch of the mir...
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