Great Figures, Small Stories · Educators

Author: Yan Xuzhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Throughout history, countless heroes, geniuses, and extraordinary talents have emerged in the world. Some have embraced the world, sacrificing their families for the nation and the people's well-being; some are both skilled in martial arts and literature, invincible in battle, and the bravest of the brave; some are extraordinary and wise, knowledgeable in all fields, and well-versed in wisdom; some are clever and eloquent, capable of stabilizing the state; some can compose poetry in seven steps, write books, and leave behind a legacy of works; some are versatile and possess extraordinary skills, standing out from the ordinary; some are ingenious and inventive, benefiting humanity; some are erudite and teach tirelessly, setting an example for others; some wander the world, facing life and death, daring to be the first; some endure humiliation and strive for self-reliance, building businesses through hardship. These outstanding individuals, who have achieved great accomplishments and left a lasting legacy, are the political leaders, military strategists, thinkers, diplomats, writers, artists, scientists, educators, explorers, and entrepreneurs that people admire. The brilliant achievements they have made in their respective fields all have their own reasons. Whether through diligence and learning, enduring hard work, frugality and perseverance, or humility and exploration, their success is inseparable from their strong psychological qualities and noble moral character. Their success is filled with hard work and tears of pain. Their success is accompanied by countless moving stories. These people are the talented, the strong, the famous, the giants, the sages, the "supermen," the great ones, and the big figures we often mention. They have left behind countless material wealth for future generations and given us an endless source of spiritual strength. They are the objects of people's admiration and the role models for others to learn from. As the saying goes, "The power of role models is infinite." "Near ink, one becomes black; near vermilion, one becomes red," and this is the truth. Mencius' mother moved three times to find a good neighbor for her son, choosing a place where he could have a good role model. Here, we have collected short stories of over 1,000 great figures from 10 different fields. These great figures, though and giants, are also ordinary people, the common folk. They have experiences similar to ordinary people. They have the seven emotions and six desires, joys and sorrows, successes and failures. They have had immense wealth and also been penniless. They have been invincible and also suffered defeats. They have been respected and also laughed at. There are many such vivid and interesting stories about them. Most of these stories are based on historical facts, with added descriptions; some are abridged from biographies; and some are adapted from news reports. These stories write about the political leaders' strategic vision and their hidden wisdom; the military strategists' willingness to face death and their filial piety; the diplomats' righteous indignation and their willingness to compromise; the thinkers' profound insights and their life pursuits; the artists' diligence and their moral and artistic excellence; the educators' extensive knowledge and their humility; the writers' creative struggles and their ingenious ideas; the scientists' painstaking efforts and their experiences of failure; the explorers' courage to face danger and their meticulousness; the entrepreneurs' generosity and their careful planning. These stories are like sparkling dewdrops, clear and bright, reflecting the dazzling light of the great figures. This is the charm of character! This is the power of character! This is the role model we should learn from. We have written these short stories about the great figures, showcasing their spiritual demeanor before you. Young friends, after reading these stories, you can gain knowledge, be inspired, understand the ways of the world, and learn how to be a good person. Wishing you, young friends, that you may also become a great figure!