Start with the story. Then go through each chapter, one lesson at a time. Each lesson has three short checks. Each chapter ends with a review. The unit ends with a wrap-up.
Pencil drawing, not a photograph: a small gnarled tree growing in a shallow footed pot, with a butterfly resting on the pot's rim and a calabash gourd tied with a cord lying beside it
2Unit
Stories of Laozi and Zhuangzi
The Dao
This unit tells stories about two wise teachers from old China. One is Laozi, the Old Master. The other is Zhuangzi, who told puzzling stories.
You will hear how Laozi left a book at a gate. You will hear about a butterfly dream and a crooked tree. You will learn the word Dao, which means the Way.
By the end, you can retell these stories. You can say what the Dao means. You can ask your own 'what if?' questions. You can share them.
When it happened
Step 1
Laozi, the Old Master, cares for old writings
Step 2
Laozi rides west on a water buffalo, the stories say
Step 3
A gatekeeper asks him to write his wisdom down
Step 4
He leaves a short book: the Daodejing
Step 5
Later, Zhuangzi tells funny, puzzling stories
Step 6
Zhuangzi and Huizi talk about happy fish
Step 7
Zhuangzi dreams he is a butterfly
Step 8
A crooked tree grows old and gives shade to all
3
Chapter
The Old Master Rides West
Laozi
Big questionWhat did the stories say the Old Master left behind for us?
The story
Stopped at the Gate
A gatekeeper asks an old man for one last gift.
Long ago, an old man rode slowly toward the west. The stories say he rode a water buffalo. His beard was long and white. He was leaving China for good.
At a mountain pass there was a gate. A gatekeeper stood there. He saw the old man coming. He knew this man was a wise teacher.
'Please wait,' said the gatekeeper. 'Before you go, write down your wisdom. Then we will still have it.' The old man thought for a moment. Then he said yes.
The old man sat and wrote. He wrote a short book in two parts. He gave it to the gatekeeper. Then he rode on through the gate. The old story says no one knows where he went.
Talk about itWhy do you think the gatekeeper wanted the old man to write his wisdom down?
Section 1
Who Was Laozi?
3.1
The Old Master
Main ideaLaozi means the Old Master. Stories say he was a wise teacher in old China.
The old man in the story is called Laozi. Lao means old. Zi means master. So Laozi means the Old Master.
The old stories say he worked in a king’s library. He took care of old writings. He was quiet and wise. Some say he was very, very old.
Words to know
Laozi
the Old Master; a wise teacher in stories from old China
Check yourself
1. What does Laozi mean?
Why: Lao means old and zi means master.
2. Where do the stories say Laozi worked?
Why: The old stories say he cared for old writings in a library.
3. What was Laozi like in the stories?
Why: The stories tell of a quiet, wise old teacher.
3.2
Was He One Real Person?
Main ideaHistorians are not sure Laozi was one real person, and people have told his story in many ways.
Laozi lived so long ago that no one is sure about him. Historians are people who study the past. Many say they do not know if he was one real person.
Some think his book grew from many wise teachers. Others follow the old stories. People can ask this question kindly and with respect.
Words to know
historian
a person who studies what happened long ago
Check yourself
1. What is a historian?
Why: Historians study what happened long ago.
2. Are historians sure Laozi was one real person?
Why: Many historians say they do not know for sure.
3. What is one idea about how the book was made?
Why: Some think the book grew from many teachers over time.
Section 2
The Book at the Gate
3.3
A Gift for the Gatekeeper
Main ideaAn old story says a gatekeeper asked Laozi to write his wisdom before he left.
An old history book tells the gate story. It was written by Sima Qian, a Chinese historian. He wrote it more than 2,000 years ago.
He wrote that Laozi was leaving. A gatekeeper asked for his wisdom. Laozi wrote a book of about 5,000 words. Then he left.
Words to know
gatekeeper
a person who watches a gate and lets people through
Check yourself
1. Who asked Laozi to write his wisdom down?
Why: In the story, the keeper of the pass asked him.
2. About how many words did the book have?
Why: The old history says about 5,000 words.
3. Who wrote down the gate story long ago?
Why: The historian Sima Qian wrote the story.
3.4
The Daodejing
Main ideaThe book people connect with Laozi is called the Daodejing.
The book in the story is called the Daodejing. You say it like ’dow-duh-jing.’ It is also spelled Tao Te Ching.
It has 81 short parts called chapters. Many are like little poems. People all over the world read it today.
Words to know
Daodejing
the short book of wisdom connected with Laozi
chapter
one part of a book
Check yourself
1. What is the book called?
Why: The book connected with Laozi is the Daodejing.
2. How many chapters does it have?
Why: The Daodejing has 81 short chapters.
3. What are many chapters like?
Why: Many chapters read like short poems.
Section 3
The Way
3.5
Dao Means the Way
Main ideaDao means the Way. The Daodejing says the Way is like a path all things follow.
Dao means the Way, like a road or path. The Daodejing uses it for something big. It says all of nature follows the Way.
The book says the Way is hard to put in words. It says to be quiet and watch nature. Then you may learn from it.
Words to know
Dao
the Way; a path that the Daodejing says all things follow
Check yourself
1. What does Dao mean?
Why: Dao means the Way, like a path.
2. What does the Daodejing say follows the Way?
Why: The book says all things follow the Way.
3. What does the book say about the Way?
Why: The Daodejing says the Way is hard to put in words.
3.6
Gentle and Simple
Main ideaThe Daodejing teaches three treasures: kindness, using little and not pushing to be first.
One chapter names three treasures. The first is kindness, or gentleness. The second is using little. The third is not pushing to be first.
Daoists, people who follow the Dao, value these treasures. Many Daoists also honor Laozi at temples. They treat him with great respect.
Words to know
gentle
soft and kind, not rough
Daoist
a person who follows the teachings of the Dao
Check yourself
1. How many treasures does chapter 67 name?
Why: Daodejing 67 names three treasures.
2. Which is one of the three treasures?
Why: Gentleness, or kindness, is the first treasure.
3. Who is a Daoist?
Why: Daoists follow the teachings of the Dao.
Chapter review
The Old Master Rides West
0 / 6
1. What does Laozi mean?
Why: Lao means old and zi means master.
2. In the stories, what did Laozi ride west?
Why: The stories say he rode a water buffalo.
3. What did the gatekeeper ask for?
Why: He asked Laozi to write down his wisdom.
4. What is the Daodejing?
Why: It is the short book connected with Laozi.
5. What does Dao mean?
Why: Dao means the Way.
6. What do historians say about Laozi?
Why: Many historians are not sure he was one real person.
Send it to your teacher
4
Chapter
The Butterfly Dream and the Useless Tree
Zhuangzi
Big questionWhat can a puzzling story help us wonder about?
The story
Waking Up Wondering
A man dreams he is a butterfly, then wakes up puzzled.
A man named Zhuangzi lay down for a nap. He fell asleep. He began to dream. In his dream, he was a butterfly. It was a warm day.
He flew over flowers. He floated on the wind. He was happy. He did not remember being a man at all. He was just a butterfly.
Then he woke up. He looked at his hands. He was Zhuangzi again! But he was puzzled. He scratched his head and wondered. He sat very still.
Was he Zhuangzi, who had dreamed he was a butterfly? Or was he a butterfly, now dreaming he was Zhuangzi? He did not know. He smiled at the puzzle.
Talk about itHave you ever had a dream that felt real? What did you wonder when you woke up?
Section 1
Meet Zhuangzi
4.1
A Teacher Who Told Stories
Main ideaZhuangzi was a teacher in old China who told funny, puzzling stories.
Zhuangzi lived in China more than 2,000 years ago. He lived after Confucius. He was a teacher and a thinker.
Zhuangzi loved to tell stories. Some were funny. Some were puzzling. His stories are collected in a book. The book is called the Zhuangzi, too.
Words to know
Zhuangzi
a teacher in old China who told funny, puzzling stories
Check yourself
1. Who was Zhuangzi?
Why: Zhuangzi was a teacher who told funny, puzzling stories.
2. Did Zhuangzi live before or after Confucius?
Why: Zhuangzi lived after Confucius.
3. What is his book called?
Why: His book has his name: the Zhuangzi.
4.2
Happy Fish
Main ideaZhuangzi and his friend Huizi liked to argue about big questions, like how we know things.
Zhuangzi had a friend named Huizi. They walked on a bridge. Zhuangzi said, ’Look how happy the fish are!’
Huizi asked, ’You are not a fish. How do you know they are happy?’ The friends kept talking. They liked puzzles like this.
Words to know
Huizi
Zhuangzi's friend who liked to argue about ideas
Check yourself
1. Who was Huizi?
Why: Huizi was Zhuangzi's friend who liked to argue.
2. Where were the friends walking?
Why: They were on a bridge over the water.
3. What did Huizi ask?
Why: Huizi asked how Zhuangzi could know the fish were happy.
Section 2
The Butterfly Dream
4.3
Man or Butterfly?
Main ideaZhuangzi told of dreaming he was a butterfly and waking up unsure which one he was.
The butterfly story is in chapter 2 of the Zhuangzi. It is very short. But people have talked about it for a long time.
Zhuangzi dreams he is a butterfly. He wakes up. He wonders which is real. The story does not give an answer. It leaves us wondering.
Words to know
dream
pictures and stories in your mind while you sleep
Check yourself
1. What did Zhuangzi dream he was?
Why: In chapter 2, he dreams he is a butterfly.
2. What did he wonder when he woke up?
Why: He wondered if he was a man or a butterfly dreaming.
3. Does the story give a clear answer?
Why: The story leaves the question open.
4.4
Asking What If
Main ideaZhuangzi's stories invite readers to ask 'what if?' and look at things in new ways.
Zhuangzi’s stories ask ’what if?’ What if things are not what they seem? What if we looked from a new side?
Readers have understood the stories in many ways. Some say they teach us to be open. Others say they help us feel less worried.
Words to know
wonder
to think about something and ask questions
Check yourself
1. What question do Zhuangzi's stories ask?
Why: His stories invite us to ask 'what if?'
2. What do some readers say the stories teach?
Why: Some readers say the stories teach us to be open.
3. Why does a puddle look like a lake to an ant?
Why: Things look different depending on who is looking.
Section 3
The Useless Tree
4.5
A Tree No One Wanted
Main ideaIn a Zhuangzi story, carpenters passed by a big crooked tree because its wood was no good for building.
A carpenter walked by a giant tree. It was crooked and bumpy. Its wood was no good for boats or houses. He walked on by.
Because no one cut it down, the tree grew very old. It grew huge. Its branches spread wide over the land.
Words to know
carpenter
a person who builds things out of wood
crooked
bent, not straight
Check yourself
1. Why did the carpenter walk past the tree?
Why: In chapter 4, the carpenter says its wood is no good.
2. What happened to the tree?
Why: No one cut it down, so it grew old and huge.
3. What does crooked mean?
Why: Crooked means bent, not straight.
4.6
Shade for Everyone
Main ideaZhuangzi's tree story suggests that being different can be good in its own way.
The crooked tree gave wide shade. People and animals rested under it. It was useful in a new way.
Readers say the story shows that being different can be good. Something that seems useless may help in a surprising way.
Words to know
useless
not helpful for a job, or seeming that way
different
not the same as others
Check yourself
1. How did the crooked tree help?
Why: It gave shade where people and animals rested.
2. What do readers say the story shows?
Why: Readers say the story shows being different can be good.
3. Which book has the useless tree story?
Why: The useless tree is a story in the Zhuangzi.
Chapter review
The Butterfly Dream and the Useless Tree
0 / 6
1. What did Zhuangzi dream he was?
Why: In chapter 2, he dreams he is a butterfly.
2. Who was Zhuangzi's friend on the bridge?
Why: Huizi talked with him about the happy fish.
3. Why did no one cut down the big tree?
Why: Carpenters thought its wood was no good for building.
4. What did the crooked tree give?
Why: It spread wide and gave shade to everyone.
5. What kind of stories did Zhuangzi tell?
Why: He told funny, puzzling stories.
6. What question do his stories often ask?
Why: His stories invite readers to wonder 'what if?'
Send it to your teacher
★
Unit wrap-up
Stories of Laozi and Zhuangzi
Twelve words, twelve meanings
0 / 8
Tap a word, then tap its meaning. A right pair locks in green.
Words
Meanings
Unit test
Fifteen questions across the unit
0 / 10
1. What does Laozi mean?
Why: Lao means old and zi means master.
2. What did the gatekeeper ask Laozi to do?
Why: In Sima Qian's story, he asked for a book.
3. What is the Daodejing?
Why: The Daodejing is the book connected with Laozi.
4. What does Dao mean?
Why: Dao means the Way.
5. Which is one of the three treasures in Daodejing 67?
Why: Gentle kindness is the first treasure.
6. What did Zhuangzi dream he was?
Why: In chapter 2, he dreamed he was a butterfly.
7. Who asked, 'How do you know the fish are happy?'
Why: Huizi asked this in Zhuangzi chapter 17.
8. Why did the crooked tree live so long?
Why: Carpenters passed it by, so it grew old.
9. Are historians sure Laozi was one real person?
Why: Many historians are not sure, and they say so.
10. Who honors Laozi at temples?
Why: Many Daoists honor Laozi with great respect.
Send it to your teacher
Spiral review
Five questions from earlier units
0 / 5
1. (Unit 1) Which student stayed happy with one bowl of rice?
Why: Analects 6.9 praises Yan Hui for staying joyful.
2. (Unit 1) What did Confucius teach about treating others?
Why: That is his teaching in Analects 15.23.
3. (Unit 1) What does li mean?
Why: Li means good manners and customs that show respect.
4. (Unit 1) What did Confucius set his heart on at fifteen?
Why: Analects 2.4 says he set his heart on learning at fifteen.
5. (Unit 1) Who wrote the Analects?
Why: His students and their students wrote down his words.
Send it to your teacher
Write it
Tell or draw: Which story made you wonder the most, the butterfly dream (Zhuangzi, chapter 2) or the useless tree (Zhuangzi, chapter 4)? Tell what happens and what readers say it means.
Name the story you pick.
Say 'Zhuangzi told...' or 'The Daodejing says...'
Use one unit word, like Dao or different.
Draw a picture if it helps you.
0 wordsSaved on this device as you type.
Practice rooms
Rooms already on the site that belong to this unit — cards, quizzes, a lab.
Every lesson keeps its own three checks; a lesson is ticked when all three are right. Chapter reviews, the unit test and its spiral review (five questions from earlier units in this band) score on the page. When the site is connected to your sheet, or the link carries ?dest=, each one also has a Send box: the first-try score, the standards, the supports used, the attempt number and the minutes go to your sheet as an IEP data point.
Print this page for a paper copy of the readings, the sources, the words and the questions; the answers print as dashed boxes under each question.
Fact-check notes for this course live in the handoff: quotes marked (paraphrased) were set that way on purpose.
