Oldest Brother Michael's Story

A Tangram Folktale

Once upon a time in a faraway Asian land, lived two friends, Wen Wen and Lin Ze. Wen Wen and Lin Ze were excellent athletes and very competitive. Each friend bragged about his athletic ability. "I can run faster than you," claimed Wen Wen." I can run faster than you!" shouted Lin Ze. "Let us have a race to see who can reach the Yellow River first," announced Lin Ze.

The two runners began to race. At first Wen Wen was in the lead. Then Lin Ze took the lead. Then Wen Wen took the lead. Lin Ze decided he had to do something to outrun his friend.

"I will change myself into a kangaroo and jump ahead of Wen Wen," decided Lin Ze. Bounce bounce went the kangaroo, way ahead of Wen Wen.

Wen Wen figured out that a jaguar would outrun a kangaroo so he changed himself into a jaguar. "Grrr!" roared the jaguar and leaped ahead of Lin Ze.

"This will not do," said Lin Ze and he changed himself into a bat. "Eek, eek, eek," shrieked the bat as he flew ahead of Wen Wen.

"Oh no!" exclaimed Wen Wen. I must change myself into an eagle and soar ahead of Lin Ze. "Arrr, Arrr," called the eagle as he soared ahead of Lin Ze.

"A jet plane would zoom way ahead of my friend," thought Lin Ze as he transformed into a jet and sped in front of Wen Wen.

"This is getting ridiculous", cried Wen Wen. I must think of a way to reach the Yellow River quickly and win this race. I know what to do," proclaimed Wen Wen. "The river is made is made up of many many drops of water. I will change myself into rain." Wen Wen rained himself into the Yellow River and won the race.

Wen Wen and Lin Ze changed back into themselves. "You have won the race. You are faster than I, but I am stronger than you!" shouted Lin Ze.

"I am stronger than you!" argued Wen Wen. Let us have a contest to see who can lift the giant rock on the Great Wall."

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