Cao Chong Weighs the Elephant

Young Cao Chong finds a clever way to weigh an elephant by using a boat, a waterline, and stones. The story teaches problem solving, perspective, and practical intelligence.

HSK 2–3

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  1. 三国时期，曹操有一个儿子，名字叫曹冲。

    san1 guo2 shi2 qi1 cao2 cao1 you3 yi1 ge4 er2 zi5 ming2 zi5 jiao4 cao2 chong1

    During the Three Kingdoms period, Cao Cao had a son named Cao Chong.

  2. 曹冲年纪不大，可是很聪明，也很喜欢动脑筋。

    cao2 chong1 nian2 ji4 bu4 da4 ke3 shi4 hen3 cong1 ming5 ye3 hen3 xi3 huan5 dong4 nao3 jin1

    Cao Chong was young, but he was very clever and liked to think carefully.

  3. 有一天，南方有人送给曹操一头大象。

    you3 yi1 tian1 nan2 fang1 you3 ren2 song4 gei3 cao2 cao1 yi1 tou2 da4 xiang4

    One day, someone from the south gave Cao Cao an elephant.