The Rooster and the Sunlight – A Chinese Fairy Tale about Courage and Joy

Short Description: This fairy tale tells of a rooster who drove away the rain clouds with his crowing and brought the sun back to the village. A story about how perseverance and bravery can bring joy to others.

In a small village nestled on the side of a hill lived friendly people. Their homes stood among green meadows, and the bright sun always shone in the sky. Children played outside, and adults joyfully went about their daily tasks. The villagers loved their village for its warmth and light.

But one day, everything changed. Dark clouds appeared on the horizon, and rain began to fall. At first, the people were happy, thinking the rain would soon pass and benefit the fields. But it poured day after day, turning roads into mud and making the air cold. The clouds blocked the sun, and the village became gloomy. Children could no longer play outside, and adults watched the sky with sorrow.

At the edge of the village lived a rooster known for his loud crowing. Every morning he greeted the sun, but on these cloudy days, his voice was barely heard. The rooster watched the sad people and thought, "I must do something. If the sun doesn't come, maybe I can call it."

Early one morning, while the entire village was still asleep, the rooster climbed onto the roof of his henhouse. He looked at the gray sky, took a deep breath, and crowed loudly: "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" His voice echoed throughout the village, but nothing happened. The clouds remained thick and heavy.

The rooster didn't give up. He crowed again, even louder: "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" His crow resonated off the hills. For a moment, a faint ray of light appeared in the clouds but then disappeared.

"I won't stop until the sun returns," thought the rooster. He continued to crow again and again. His cries grew louder, and his voice reached higher into the heavens. The clouds began to part, and the first rays of sunlight broke through the veil. The village started to come alive.

Hearing the familiar sounds, the villagers came out of their homes. They saw the clouds gradually disappearing and the sky brightening. The rooster kept crowing until the sun fully rose above the hills, warming everything around.

The children rushed outside, laughing and rejoicing at the return of the light. The adults thanked the rooster for his persistence. "You chased away the rain and brought us the sun!" they said. The rooster proudly lifted his head, knowing his efforts were not in vain.

From then on, the rooster became a symbol of the new day and joy. Every morning, he woke the village with his loud crowing, reminding everyone that even a small act can bring great joy.

Moral of the Story: Perseverance and bravery help overcome any difficulties. Even the smallest hero can do something important for others.

Questions for Discussion with Children:

1. Why were the villagers sad?
2. How did the rooster help bring back the sun?
3. What does this story teach?