Slide 1 The Stonecutter A Tale from China Have you ever wished to be as bright as the sun, as strong as the wind, or as mighty as a mountain? What would you do if you were? Long ago in a land far away, there was a stonecutter who made his living doing stonework for other people. Each morning he would climb the great mountain near his home to look for the fi nest stone. Then he would carry the stone down the mountain, cut it to the right size, and polish it so that it shined. The stonecutter was very good at what he did. His cuts were sharp and accurate, and he was known for building the finest walls in the land. Even though the work was hard, the stonecutter was content with his life. Then one day he went to the home of a very rich man to build a wall. Never before had the stonecutter seen such a beautiful home or such splendid things. Why couldn’t he be wealthy, too?

Slide 2 The Stonecutter A Tale from China (Cont.) The next day when the stonecutter went back to the mountain, he remembered the home of the rich man. The stonecutter threw his arms into the air and called to the spirit of the mountain. “Oh, mountain spirit,” he said. “You have given me all I need to make a living. But if you could only make me a rich man, then I would be the happiest person alive!” The earth gave an abrupt shake, and a voice rumbled from inside the mountain. “Your wish is granted!” Then the voice was still. When the stonecutter returned home that day, he found that his hut had turned into a grand house filled with fine furniture. His wish really had come true! The stonecutter enjoyed his wealth for many days. Then one morning he saw a prince riding by in a royal carriage. “What is a rich man compared to a prince?” wondered the stonecutter. “If only I could be a prince. Then I would be both happy and mighty!” Again the mountain shook and rumbled, and in the blink of an eye, the stonecutter was turned into a royal prince.

Slide 3 The Stonecutter A Tale from China (Cont.) That day the stonecutter rode all through the town in his royal carriage. As he rode, the sun blazed overhead. By the time the stonecutter reached his palace, his face was burned bright red. “A prince is mighty,” said the stonecutter. “But the sun is even mightier. If only I were the sun, then I would have power!” Again, the mountain rumbled, and the stonecutter’s wish came true. He was turned into the sun in the sky, and he burned so brightly that he scorched the grass beneath him. But when a cloud passed by and hid his light from the earth, the stonecutter was unhappy again. “Why, a cloud is even mightier than the sun!” he exclaimed. “I wish I were a cloud so I could overwhelm the sun.” And a cloud he became. He grew big and dark. He threatened to rain. Then suddenly he was blown about by the wind, and he had no power over where he was headed. “Now I understand!” said the stonecutter. “The wind is the mightiest force on earth. I wish I were the wind. Then surely I would be happy!” So the stonecutter was turned into the wind, and he began to blow and blow and blow.

Slide 4 The Stonecutter A Tale from China (Cont.) The stonecutter blew leaves from the trees. He knocked people off their feet and blew papers into the sky. He made waves rise so high that ships could not sail. Then he gathered the clouds together to create weather so severe that people could not leave their homes for days. Yes, the stonecutter was powerful. There was nothing he could not move—nothing except the mountain itself. The stonecutter blew and blew against the mountain, but the mighty mountain stood its ground. “If I cannot move the mountain,” said the stonecutter, “then I wish to BE the mountain!” And again, the stonecutter’s wish came true. “At last I am the mightiest,” he said. Then as he looked down below him, he saw a tiny man cutting away at his stone. “No!” cried the stonecutter. “Can it be true? Can a man really destroy a mountain? Oh, how I wish I were a man again!” And for the last time, the stonecutter’s wish was granted. He was changed into a man again, and he spent the rest of his days as a simple stonecutter who never again wished to be something that he was not. Unit 6, Week 4 1. How do you feel when you hear an abrupt sound? 2. How can you tell whether the clock in the classroom is accurate? 3. If you finished third place in a race, would you feel content or disappointed? 4. Do you think a cat could overwhelm a horse? Why or why not? 5. Who rides in a royal carriage? 6. If you hear a rumble outside, what might it be? 7. What should people do when a severe storm is on the way? 8. What might you eat for a very simple meal? 9. What would you wear to school if it threatened to rain? 10. What does a wealthy person have?