Grammar Activity

Chinese Folktale
When the night is clear you can see shadows on the moon. According

to an old Chinese folktale, they are the shadows of the cinnamon tree

in the moon. This tree came to be because of the laziness of an

immortal, Wu Kang.

  Wu Kang was in charge of guarding the dragon. However, he was

lazy. He often allowed the dragon to run away after drinking wine. One

day, he went to Mount K’un Lun. While he was there he met some of

his friends. They began to drink, compose poems, and throw dice. He

continued to drink, even after night came. He drank some more until

he became completely tipsy. When he saw some fellows playing chess,

he asked to join them. They advised him to go home because they

knew he was being negligent, but Wu Kang offered to wager the

dragon’s pearl. After playing a few moves of the game, Wu Kang lost

the pearl. As soon as he wagered and lost the dragon pearl, he wagered

and lost the mighty dragon.  When the Immortals learned of the loss

they were furious. They immediately sowed a pearl in the ground and

a tall cinnamon tree grew from it. When the tree reached a great

height they gave Wu Kang an axe and told him to cut off the branches.

As soon as he had cut off all the branches bigger ones sprouted and

grew. Wu Kang had to cut them off too. Wu Kang is still there to this

day cutting off branches. Now whenever you see shadows on the

moon, you will know that they are branches of cinnamon tree falling

down.