The Portrait of Wuyan
Chinese Fables
Way back, in a land full of busy towns and green fields called Qi, there was a king named King Xuan. King Xuan liked big parties and listening to cheerful music.
Now, in that same kingdom lived a woman named Zhongli Chun. Most people just called her Wu Yan. Wu Yan wasn't famous for her looks. In fact, some people thought she looked a bit funny. Her skin was a bit dark, her hair wasn't always neat, and her nose wasn't perfectly straight.
But Wu Yan had something amazing: a super-smart brain and a very brave heart! She loved her kingdom and paid close attention to what was happening. She noticed that King Xuan, while a nice enough king, was making some big mistakes that could cause trouble for everyone.
"Hmm," thought Wu Yan, "someone needs to tell the King!"
So, one sunny morning, Wu Yan decided she would be that someone. She put on her simple clothes and walked all the way to the King's enormous, shiny palace. The guards at the gate looked at her and whispered to each other, probably wondering what such a plain-looking woman wanted.
But Wu Yan wasn't scared. She stood tall and said, "I need to speak to King Xuan. I have very important things to tell him for the good of the kingdom!"
King Xuan was surprised when his guards told him a woman named Wu Yan wanted to see him. He was even more surprised when she walked in. He almost chuckled, but Wu Yan looked so serious and determined.
"Your Majesty," Wu Yan began, her voice clear and strong. "I have come to tell you about four big worries I have for our kingdom."
The King leaned forward, a little curious now.
"First," said Wu Yan, "you are spending too much money on fancy things and not enough on what the kingdom truly needs."
"Second," she continued, "you listen too much to people who only tell you nice things, even if they aren't true, instead of listening to honest advice."
"Third, you are letting good, wise people drift away from you, and keeping not-so-good people too close."
"And fourth," Wu Yan finished, "because of all this, our kingdom is not as strong or safe as it should be. Dangers could be just around the corner!"
King Xuan sat very still. No one had ever spoken to him so plainly! At first, he felt a little grumpy. But then, he thought hard about Wu Yan's words. He looked at her honest, intelligent eyes. He realized she wasn't trying to be mean; she was trying to help. And everything she said… was true!
"Wow," King Xuan thought. "This woman is incredibly wise!"
He stood up and said, "Wu Yan, you are the bravest and smartest person I have met in a long time! Your words are like treasures. You see things clearly. I need your wisdom. Will you be my Queen and help me make Qi a better kingdom?"
And so, Wu Yan, the woman who wasn't known for her beauty, became Queen Wu Yan. She used her super-smart brain to help King Xuan make great decisions. The kingdom of Qi became stronger, happier, and safer.
Everyone learned a very important lesson: what's on the inside – like a clever mind and a brave heart – is much, much more important than just a pretty face.
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