The Magical Bell – A Chinese Fairy Tale about Good Deeds and the Fulfillment of Wishes

Short Description: This fairy tale tells about a magical bronze bell that granted children's wishes. But to make this happen, they had to perform good deeds. The story teaches about caring for others and the importance of sincere actions.

In a small town by the river stood an old bell tower. It was adorned with a bronze bell that, according to the elders, possessed magical powers. Legend had it that if you rang it with a pure heart, you could make a wish, and it would come true. But not everyone could use this magic. Only children who performed good deeds could hear its melodious chime.

One day, a family arrived in the town with two children: brother Min and sister Lan. They were curious and quickly heard from the locals about the magical bell. "If it really grants wishes, we must try!" said Min.

The next morning, the children went to the bell tower. Min was the first to pull the rope. The chime echoed throughout the town, but nothing happened. "Why didn't my wish come true?" he wondered. Then his sister Lan said, "Maybe we need to do something good before ringing it?"

They decided to help an old woman who lived nearby. Her garden was overgrown with weeds, and the children set to work together: Min removed the weeds, and Lan swept the paths. When the work was done, the old woman thanked them and said, "Your good deeds will surely bear fruit."

Returning to the bell, Lan gently pulled the rope. The bell tower filled with a gentle melody, and for a moment, the children felt their hearts become lighter. "I wish for our town to always have happiness and joy," said Lan.

The next day, their wish began to come true. People in the town became kinder to each other, neighbors helped one another with tasks, and children played without quarrelling. The bell granted the wish, but only thanks to their good deeds.

From then on, Min and Lan told other children that the magical bell only works for those who do good deeds. Children began helping the elderly, caring for animals, and even planting flowers throughout the town. The bell tower became a symbol of kindness, and the bell—a reminder that happiness starts with our actions.

Moral of the Story:

• True magic is the good deeds that change the world around us.
• Wishes can come true if we act sincerely and from a pure heart.
• Goodness returns, making the world better for everyone.

Questions for Discussion with Children:

1. Why didn't Min's first wish come true?
2. What good deeds did the children do?
3. What does this fairy tale teach us?