Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Introduction
Preface
The Snipe and the Mussel (Clam): A fable about compromise in the face of adversity
The Tiger: A 2300 year old story from the Strategies of the Warring States
The Thousand Li Horse: A fable which explains how to collect many fine things or how to find the best advisors
The Man Who Pretended He Could Play the Reed Pipes: A fable from Han Fei Tzu which tells about the futility of pretending to be who you are not
It Is Worth a Thousand Li Feather: A story about an old Chinese proverb
A Blessing or a Curse? : The story behind a commonly used Chinese idiom or chengyu
Tuīqiāo - Push or Knock: An ancient Chinese story about weighing one's words
Longevity: A story about wisdom which comes with old age
The Young Head of the Household: A riddle story
Weaving Fair Lady and Water Buffalo Boy or The Magpie Bridge: A star story and a love story about Qi Xi, the Chinese Valentine's Day, a day for lovers
Butterfly Lovers: A love story that although earlier in origin is reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet
Tears that Crumbled the Great Wall: A love story of great sacrifice and devotion that explains in part how the Great Wall was built
The Legend of the White Snake (Su-Zheng): A complex love sotry that has changed over the years and become a popular opera
Across the Bridge Rice Noodles or Guo Qiao Mi Xian: Adapted by Judith Heineman from a story about the origin of the renowned savory dish from Kunming
A Storied Past: A brief history of storytelling from Ancient China through modern times
Map of China
Glossary of Pinyin Words and Terms
Bibliographic References