Stonecutter
Listen to a story about a man who gets what he wants, and regrets it
Tao Quiz
What do you think, huh?
The words
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Word
Meaning
Spirit (n.)
A being that people believe has special power. Example: The story says a spirit lives in the mountain.
Depended (v.)
Needed something to live or work. Example: The plants depended on the sun.
Tools (n.)
Objects used to do work. Example: The stone cutter carried tools in his bag.
Wished (v.)
Wanted something very much. Example: The man wished for power.
Realized (v.)
Understood something clearly. Example: He realized the truth at the end.
The story
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The Stonecutter
Long ago, an old man worked as a stonecutter. He cut large rocks into small pieces and sold them in the market.
Life was difficult, and the old man wasn’t happy. He wanted something different. He sought power. The spirit in the mountain heard his wish and decided to help him.
One early morning, the old man went to the forest in search of the most powerful thing in the land. He looked up at the sun. “Nothing could be stronger than the sun! All life depends on its energy. I wish I were the sun,” he said to himself.
The mountain spirit heard the old man and changed him into the sun. For several days, he was happy. His light traveled around the world. Then a cloud appeared in the sky. It blocked the sun’s light and made the land dark. The sun, he learned, wasn’t so powerful.
“Nothing is stronger than a cloud! I wish I were a cloud,” he shouted.
The mountain spirit listened to his cry and changed him into a cloud. He was the largest cloud in the sky. He made storms, and he was content. Then he saw a rock. He tried to move it with heavy rain and strong winds, but failed.
“Nothing is stronger than a rock! I wish I were a rock,” he said.
The mountain spirit heard the old man’s voice and turned him into a huge rock. The old man was pleased. He rested on the mountainside side thinking his great size made him powerful.
Some months later, a young stone cutter climbed the mountain. He approached the rock, opened his bag, and took out some tools. Suddenly, the old man heard a noise. He felt his body changing.
He soon realized the stone cutter was more powerful than a rock.