The White Snake
Introduction
This tale belongs to the worldwide family of "grateful animals" stories, which folk tale scholars call type ATU 554. Yet Chinese children will find it familiar in another way: our old saying goes, "A drop of kindness is repaid by a spring," and we have long believed that good deeds are rewarded. That is why we have retold it in the style of a fable — short, sharp, and pointed at one lesson. In a fable, every character stands for one quality, every turn moves the story forward, and the moral lands at the end like a stamp. The white snake at the start is also full of meaning. Since ancient times, Chinese legends have spoken of people who could understand the speech of birds. We believe that the one who can hear the voices of all creatures must first be the one who cares for all creatures. So the true heart of this tale is not the magic power but the kindness behind it. The young man saves fish, gives way to ants, and even kills his own horse to feed starving ravens — all without hoping for a reward. As you read, ask your child: which of these good deeds was done for a reward? None. Kindness that expects nothing back is the kindness that comes back to you in the end.
Vocabulary from "The White Snake"
12 key words from this story with definitions and original context sentences for language learners.
Very surprised, in a good way.
使大为惊奇；惊叹。
Long ago there lived a king whose wisdom amazed the whole land.
很久很久以前，有位国王，智慧过人，天下的大小事情，没有瞒得过他的。
A strong wish to know or find out about something.
好奇心。
One day the servant could not fight his curiosity.
这一日，仆人实在按捺不住好奇。
Believed that someone might have done something wrong.
怀疑（某人做了坏事）。
Everyone suspected the servant, because he could go anywhere in the palace.
宫里人人起疑，都说偷儿准是他——因为他什么地方都去得。
Not guilty of a wrong or a crime.
清白的；无辜的。
The servant swore he was innocent, but no one believed him.
仆人再三喊冤，无人肯信。
Breathed out slowly and loudly to show a feeling.
叹气；叹息。
One duck sighed, "I ate too fast today.
一只鸭子叹道：“今天吃得太急。”
Taking short quick breaths because of difficulty or surprise.
喘气；倒吸一口气。
One day he came to a pond and saw three fish stuck among the reeds, gasping for air.
这一天，他路过一口池塘，见三条鱼卡在芦苇丛里，张嘴喘气。
Stepped on heavily and crushed something underfoot.
踩踏；践踏。
His horse has trampled a crowd of my people.
那马蹄子又沉又狠，把我的子民踩死了一片！
Threw or spread things over a wide area.
撒；散开。
She went into the garden and scattered ten sacks of millet on the grass with her own hands.
她走进花园，亲手把十袋小米撒在草地上。
A small sea creature with a dark shell in two parts.
贻贝；蚌。
The middle one carried a mussel in its mouth and laid it at his feet.
当中一条嘴里衔着一只蚌，轻轻放在他脚边。
A grain crop with very small round seeds.
小米；粟。
But when the first light touched the grass, ten full sacks of millet stood in a row.
谁知太阳刚露头，十只口袋齐齐立在草地上，装得满满当当。
A soft light sound, like dry leaves moving.
沙沙声。
He heard a rustle above his head, and a golden apple dropped into his hand.
忽听头顶沙沙作响，一只金苹果落进他手里。
Extremely happy about something.
喜出望外的；欣喜若狂的。
Overjoyed, the young man hurried home with the apple.
年轻人喜出望外，捧着金苹果赶回城里。
Reading Together & Learning More
The Moral
To hear the speech of all creatures, you must first care for all creatures. Kindness is repaid: every good deed you give to the weak will one day come back to you.
Educational Value
Helps children see that kindness given without expecting anything is the most precious kind, builds empathy and care for the weak, and shows how gratitude and good deeds are rewarded.
Tips for Parents
After reading, play a matching game: which three animals did the servant help, and how did each one repay him? Then talk about whether a favour done for a reward is still true kindness.
Talk About It
- The servant ate the white snake and learned the speech of animals. Was it luck or a kind heart that saved him? If he had been unkind, what might have happened?
- He killed his only horse to save the starving chicks. Could you give up something you love to help others? Does kindness always cost something?
- Fish, ants, and ravens are the smallest and weakest creatures, yet they did what no human could do. What does that teach us about how to treat the weak?
- The princess looked down on him at first and set one hard task after another. What finally changed her heart — the apple, or something else?
- If you could understand the speech of animals, which animal would you ask first? Why?
