The Moon and the Bamboo – A Chinese Fairy Tale about Striving for Height

Short Description: This fairy tale tells of a moonbeam that revealed to children the secret of why bamboo grows towards the sky. A story about striving, hard work, and the connection between nature and dreams.

High on Mount Luoshan, amidst dense forests and cool streams, stood slender bamboo plants. They reached so high towards the sky that it seemed as if they wanted to touch the moon itself. The villagers living at the foot of the mountain always admired these majestic plants. But no one knew why bamboo grew so diligently upwards.

One night, the children gathered around the campfire, listening to the elders' stories. But instead of sharing legends, the elders encouraged the children to come up with their own explanations. "Why do you think bamboo stretches towards the sky?" they asked. The children looked at each other, but no one knew the answer.

At that moment, a bright moonbeam that illuminated the village glided across the ground and lit up the bamboo grove. It spoke in a soft, melodious voice: "I will tell you why bamboo always strives towards the sky. It is a story about how nature teaches us to dream and work hard."

The children curiously surrounded the grove, and the beam began its tale:

Long ago, when Mount Luoshan was young, a small bamboo grew in its forests. Its stem was thin and short, and it envied the tall trees that towered above it. "I am too small to be noticed," the bamboo complained to the wind.

One night, the Moon descended upon the mountain. Its light was so bright that the entire forest was bathed in a silvery glow. The little bamboo stretched its leaves and called out, "Oh, beautiful Moon! Tell me, how can I become as tall and majestic as the trees around me?"

The Moon smiled gently and replied, "Height is not something that can be achieved in an instant. It is a path that requires patience and hard work. If you want to become great, strive towards me every night, but remember: growth takes time."

From that moment on, the little bamboo began to grow. Each day, it stretched higher, striving to reach the Moon. The wind propelled it, the rain nourished its roots, and the sun provided warmth. It learned patience because it understood: every effort brings it closer to its dream.

Slowly but surely, the bamboo became taller and stronger. The neighboring trees stopped laughing at its thin stem. Now, they looked at it with respect. And the Moon illuminated its path each night, reminding it, "Continue to strive. You are proving that dreams are achieved through hard work."

When the bamboo had grown, it became a symbol of hope and perseverance for the entire forest. Since then, all its descendants reach towards the sky, no matter how high it may be.

The moonbeam finished its story, and the children looked at the bamboo with newfound admiration. "Now we understand why bamboo stretches towards the sky," they said. "It teaches us not to give up and to always strive for our dreams."

From then on, the children loved to stroll through the bamboo grove, sharing this story with their friends. And the bamboo on Mount Luoshan reminded them every day of the importance of working hard for their dreams.

Moral of the Story: Great dreams require patience and effort. Only those who continue to strive achieve great heights.

Discussion Questions for Children:

1. Why did the little bamboo want to become tall?
2. How did the Moon help it?
3. What does this fairy tale teach us?