Get cozy and discover a classic Chinese fable retold for A1 beginners! In 'Waiting by a Tree Stump for Rabbits,' a lazy farmer spots a rabbit dash into a stump and knock itself out. Thrilled by this easy meal, he decides to stop working and wait by the stump every day, hoping more rabbits will come. But as you'll see, luck doesn't always repeat itself-his fields turn barren while he waits in vain.
Our version uses simple Simplified Chinese vocabulary and sentence patterns perfect for beginners. Tap any word for instant help, listen to the story audio to tune your ear, and check the lesson notes for clear explanations. It's a free, cozy way to build your Chinese reading skills with a tale that's as memorable as it is instructive.
A farmer in his . He has a tree and an old stump.
One day, a rabbit . It the stump and .
"Oh! A rabbit!" says the farmer. "Now I have for !"
The next day, the farmer the stump. "I for a rabbit," he says. He waits and waits. No rabbit comes.
Day after day, the farmer waits. He does not in the field. "I wait for a rabbit," he says .
His grow . His friends say, "Come and work!" But the farmer only waits.
No more rabbits come. The farmer is . "I must work, not just !" he .
A farmer works in his field. He has a big tree and an old stump.
One day, a rabbit runs fast. It hits the stump and falls down.
"Oh! A rabbit!" says the farmer. "Now I have meat for dinner!"
The next day, the farmer sits by the stump. "I wait for a rabbit," he says. He waits and waits. No rabbit comes.
Day after day, the farmer waits. He does not work in the field. "I wait for a rabbit," he says again.
His crops grow small. His friends say, "Come and work!" But the farmer only waits.
No more rabbits come. The farmer is hungry. "I must work, not just wait for luck!" he learns.
Let's meet the main words from the farmer's adventure. Each one is a building block for your Chinese.
These words appear again and again in the story. Say them out loud to lock them in!
- 兔子 (tùzi) - rabbit
- 树桩 (shùzhuāng) - tree stump
- 等 (děng) - to wait
- 工作 (gōngzuò) - to work
The story is more than a tale-it's the origin of a classic Chinese idiom: 守株待兔 (shǒu zhū dài tù). It literally means 'guarding a stump to wait for rabbits.'
Today, people use this idiom to describe someone who waits for luck instead of taking action. If a friend expects to pass an exam without studying, you might tease: 'Don't be a 守株待兔 person!'
The story shows how to talk about things happening over time. Notice these phrases:
Practice them to describe your own routines and past events.
- 一天 (yì tiān) - one day (sets the scene)
- 第二天 (dì èr tiān) - the next day
- 一天又一天 (yì tiān yòu yì tiān) - day after day
- 不再 (bú zài) - no more / not anymore
Now it's your turn to try! Use the new words and the idiom in simple sentences.
Retell the story to a friend in Chinese-even if it's just a few lines. Every practice session builds your confidence!
- Write: '我不等兔子，我工作。' (Wǒ bù děng tùzi, wǒ gōngzuò.) - I don't wait for rabbits, I work.
- Say: '别守株待兔！' (Bié shǒu zhū dài tù!) - Don't just wait for luck!
- Listen to the story again and shadow the farmer's lines: '我等一只兔子。' (Wǒ děng yì zhī tùzi.)
Waiting by a Tree Stump for Rabbits comes from the Chinese / idiom story tradition and is best known as a idiom/fable. This Yak Yacker article is an original learner retelling based on Ancient Chinese idiom story; public domain, so the wording here is simplified for modern learners rather than copied from one old edition.
Older printings, translations, and retellings of this story can vary quite a bit. The original audience was usually kids/general, but this version is adapted for A1 Beginner learners studying Simplified Chinese. Easy farming/animal vocabulary.
If you want to look into the source tradition, start with Wikisource.
If you want to keep going, browse more in our Simplified Chinese section and review the HSK Level 1 Chinese Vocabulary. After that, try Essential Chinese Grammar Words for another useful next step.
More Simplified Chinese to explore
The Battle of Red Cliffs: B1 Intermediate Simplified Chinese Story with Audio
The Oath of the Peach Garden: A Sworn Brotherhood Tale with Audio for Intermediate Chinese Learners
Nezha Conquers the Dragon King – An A2 Elementary Chinese Graded Reader with Audio & Word Help
