Selected Fables for Students

Author: Zhang Ying (Editor)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-01-01
Features: This is an introductory book of fables selected for primary and secondary school students. Fables are a unique literary form. They convey profound truths through short, vivid stories, serving to admonish people and satirize the world. The heyday of fables dates back to a period over two thousand years ago. During China's Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, masters like Zhuangzi, Mencius, Han Feizi, Liezi, and Yanzi were pioneers in storytelling through fables. In ancient Greece, there was the famous Aesop's Fables; in the Arab world, there are numerous folk fables. The stories of fables are vast as the seas, widespread across the world, with deep origins and long traditions, too extensive to be fully described in words or explored in a single day. Fables are about storytelling, and they are especially suitable for children and young adults to read. Therefore, this book selects over two hundred fables from both China and abroad for beginners. When compiling, special attention was paid to ensuring these fables are well-known, common, interesting, and representative of diverse regions. They are concise, polished, and clearly convey their moral lessons, making them suitable for quick reading and comprehension. To enhance understanding, the editor has provided annotations, translations, and analyses for Chinese fables, while only offering analyses for foreign fables. As for the chronological order of the fables, no strict arrangement is made—only their sources are noted. This is done to encourage young readers to explore on their own, improving their research skills and enriching their historical knowledge during the process.