Yu Gong Moves the Mountains
Introduction
The tale appears in the Tang Wen chapter of Liezi. It is often read as a lesson in persistence, yet the source also shows Yu Gong consulting his family, his wife asking where the earth will go, and a neighbor's child helping. Spirits move the mountains at the end; that is part of the tale's imaginative form. Readers can discuss plans, questions and shared effort alongside determination.
Story source：《列子·汤问》— 愚公移山
Cultural origin：Classical Chinese tale, based on the version in Liezi, Tang Wen
This retelling keeps the family discussion, the neighbor's help, the skeptic and the spirits moving the mountains.
Vocabulary from "Yu Gong Moves the Mountains"
6 key words from this story with definitions and original context sentences for language learners.
a trip from one place to another
路程；旅行
He was nearly ninety, and every journey around the mountains took a long time.
住在山北的愚公快九十岁了，每次出门都得绕很远的路。
brought people together
召集
One day he gathered his family.
一天，他把家人请到一起。
earth in which plants grow
泥土
Where will we put all the soil and stones?
石头和泥土要放在哪里？
a person living nearby
邻居
A neighbor's child came to help.
邻居家一个孩子也来帮忙。
very large
巨大的
The mountains still looked enormous, but a little more ground was clear.
山似乎没变小，路却已慢慢清出一段。
the will to keep trying
决心；毅力
What else helped the family besides determination?
除了坚持，他们还做了什么？
Reading Together & Learning More
The Moral
Determination works best with listening, planning and cooperation.
Educational Value
Help children distinguish persistence from repetition without thought, and notice everyone's contribution.
Tips for Parents
Discuss the wife's practical question and the role of the spirits in this ancient tale.
Talk About It
- Why was the wife's question important?
- How did the neighbor's child help?
- When should we keep going, and when should we change our plan?
