character development, child development, childhood education, children's literature, classic tales, creative thinking, cultural heritage, educational stories, emotional depth, emotional learning, fairy tales, family traditions, folktales, global stories, grimm brothers, hans christian andersen, imagination, language skills, literary arts, literary history, moral lessons, reading benefits, storytelling, storytelling impact, traditional narratives

The Magic of Fairy Tales: Keeping the Art of Storytelling Alive

From the treasure trove of our childhood memories emerge the enchanting stories told by grandparents, parents, or caregivers. Fairy tales, those captivating narratives, whisked us away to realms where dragons soared, ogres devoured misbehaving children, princesses discovered love in the most unexpected places, and ordinary objects concealed extraordinary secrets. But these stories offer us more ...

Nathan Machoka

Girl reading a story to her stuffed animals.

Rediscovering the Lost Treasures of Modern Life

Life is a process of simultaneously gaining and losing. As you grow and your living conditions improve, you often don’t realize what you’re losing while acquiring new things. Some of these lost treasures, although outdated by modern standards, are invaluable to you and, once lost, can never be reclaimed. 1. The loss of tradition When ...

Max Lu

People holding hands are seen in silhouette in front of the setting sun.

Empress Jiang: A Paragon of Virtue and Wisdom in Ancient China

In the annals of Chinese history, the mention of wise and influential empresses invariably brings us to Empress Jiang, the queen who successfully guided King Xuan of Zhou, the 11th monarch of the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 B.C.). Her story is not just about advising a king; it’s a narrative of moral strength, strategic counsel, ...

Mikel Davis

Oil painting of pink peonies.

Emperor Tang Taizong: A Legacy of Seeking Talent in Ancient China

Emperor Tang Taizong, renowned for establishing one of the most formidable empires in history, owes much of his success to his exceptional talent in identifying and utilizing gifted individuals. A prominent example of his ability to discern talent was in the rise of Ma Zhou, who evolved from a humble background to become the Prime ...

Mikel Davis

Illustration of the face of Emperor Tang Taizong.

Guiding Integrity: The Upright and Honest Advisors of Ancient China

In ancient China’s history, wisdom and integrity were paramount virtues. Rulers often sought counsel when faced with perplexing matters, including unsettling dreams and omens. Those endowed with good character, like Yan Zi and Gongsun Sheng, diligently fulfilled their duties, prioritizing their responsibilities over personal gain or safety. Yan Zi’s wise counsel and integrity Duke Jing ...

Mikel Davis

Illustration of a man dressed in the robes of an ancient Chinese official.

The Secret to Longevity: A Look Into the Oldest Company in the World (Part 2)

The journey of the Kongō Gumi, a company with over a millennium of history, has been anything but smooth. In 1868, during the first year of the Meiji era, Emperor Meiji implemented the “Shinto and Buddhism Separation Order,” leading to the destruction of many Buddhist temples. This policy stripped the Four Heavenly Kings of their ...

Max Lu

A black and white photo of Kongō Gumi employees from 1930.

The Secret to Longevity: A Look Into the Oldest Company in the World (Part 1)

A report published by the Tokyo Business Research Company reveals the key to longevity for Japanese enterprises: integrity and staying private. Among the many centuries-old businesses, the oldest is Kongō Gumi, a temple construction company established during the Asuka period now boasting a history of 1,440 years. Longevity secrets unveiled The Japan Imperial Database surveyed ...

Max Lu

Shitennoji Temple in Osaka, Japan.

The Unlikely Legacy: How the Smithsonian Institution Was Founded

This is the fascinating story of the founding of the Smithsonian Institution. In 1756, a woman of royal blood in Britain quietly gave birth to a baby boy for the Duke of Northumberland, a noble of high standing. The child, an illegitimate son named James Smithson, was gifted with remarkable talent and a quick mind. ...

Max Lu

Elephant on display at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC.

Integrity Above All: 3 Stories of Ancient China’s Upright Officials

In the annals of Chinese history, the legacy of integrity and righteousness has been long cherished and revered. Tales of principled officials who stood firm in the face of temptation and upheld the virtues of ethical governance have been passed down through generations, serving as moral compasses for both the rulers and the ruled. These ...

Emma Lu

Liu Tongxun.