EASY-TO-READ MANDARIN CHINESE
鸡会游泳，但河马却不会游泳？ Chickens Can Swim, But Hippos Can't? | 24
让皇帝后悔一生的宫女 The Court Lady Who Made the Emperor Regret His Whole Life | 14
MAY.15,2023 | $8.24
The Mimir Magazine
驴打滚里没有驴 No Donkeys in a Donkey Roll | 10
Editor's Note China is a country with a fascinating history, unique traditions, world-renown cuisine, and a strong culture. In this issue, we will discuss some of the stories, traditions, and insights that make China great. If history is a subject you find interesting, you’ll enjoy the famous tale of Emperor Han Yuan, the painter who deceived him, and the would-be bride Wang Zhaojun who refused to be extorted. It is a captivating story with themes of greed, bravery, truth, trust, regret, and pride. Chinese cuisine is popular throughout the world, and in this issue we’ll show you two famous dishes that were created in China. The donkey roll, also known as the rolling donkey, is a Beijing treat with a peculiar name. Discover how the donkey roll got its name, and be sure to check out the recipe for fried eggs with leeks as well! People around the world have developed their own unique languages, yet all languages have a shared purpose. Language allows for stories to be shared, imparting wisdom that can impact our lives in various ways. Survival stories are one example, and they can teach us practical lessons that save lives. In this issue, you’ll learn how to find your sense of direction when lost through Amy and Lily’s story as they prepare for a camping trip. Amy’s story doesn’t end there, you can also read about her bad habits and discover her mother’s frustrations when she returns home! You’ll also learn about idioms, and how language can become confusing as certain phrases or concepts can quickly lose their meaning. There is a commonly used phrase in English about the importance of wisdom. ‘Knowledge is power.” It means that knowledge and learning is essential, as it gives people the power to innovate and improve their lives. In this issue of The Mandarin Weekly, we’ll learn about the environmental and biological adaptations that allow some chickens to become better swimmers than the hippopotamus. We will also learn about a mysterious book that helps you discover a deeper truth behind your greatest questions through the power of introspection. There is something for everyone to enjoy this week! I hope you enjoy this edition of periodical! Kyle McHenry English Editor for TMW Vol.06 May.15, 2023 TMM | 01
t e e M itors d
E r u O
Kyle McHenry is an American author born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, just beside the Olympic National Park. He has published numerous titles in multiple genres, notably his bestselling books for children and nonfiction science books as M.C. Henry. He has also published multiple sports guides for snowboarders under the pen name Kyle Ashton. Kyle McHenry is an avid snow sports enthusiast, has a beloved pet bunny named Moose, and is currently working to finish his first horror novel. You can follow/contact him through his social media @mchenrybooks on TikTok and Instagram.
hello everyone! I am Wang Xinmiao, a professional Mandarin teacher. I have worked in some famous Chinese Language Program, taught the global live Chinese program of Chinese Language and Culture Education Foundation of China, and a teacher of Chinese as a foreign language in the college. For more than ten years, I have been engaged in teaching of Chinese as a foreign language, teaching Chinese courses at all levels. Be good at oral communication teaching, and help students to understand Chinese culture and local customs. The classroom forms are flexible, diverse and colorful, so that students can find the beauty of Chinese and learn to use it in a relaxed and happy atmosphere. TMM | 02
CONTENT TRENDS The British Who Went to China to Study "Zhuangzi"
01
去中国研究《庄子》的英国人 The Book That Tells You the Answers to All Your Questions: The Book of Answers
19
告诉你所有问题的答案的书—答案书 FOOD IS EVERYTHING
驴打滚里没有驴 Scrambled Eggs with Chinese Chives 韭菜炒鸡蛋 No Donkeys in a Donkey Roll
10 28
ASIAN CULTURE The Court Lady Who Made the Emperor Regret His Whole Life
14
让皇帝后悔一生的宫女 LIFE & SCIENCE Chickens Can Swim, But Hippos Can't?
24
鸡会游泳，但河马却不会游泳？ Worried About Getting Lost in the Wild? Try This Method !
06
担心野外会迷路，试试这个方法！ SHORT STORY What does Amy Like?
艾米喜欢什么？
Click here to listen to audio recordings of this issue on YouTube
TMM | 03
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LEARN CHINESE! ORDERING TAKEOUT SHOULDN'T BE YOUR ONLY CONNECTION TO CHINESE CULTURE.
http://www.themimir.com
TMM | 04
friends 莉莉
艾米 Amy is a high school exchange student from the U.S. She likes traveling and is curious about ancient cultures. She thinks Dada is very knowledgeable.
Lily is a student in the same high school as Amy. Her mom is Chinese and her Dad is from Ireland. Like her mom, Lily enjoys reading and cooking.
达达
凯文
Dada is a high school straight-A student from China. He loves science, the universe, and everything about aliens.
Kevin is an exchange student from Australia. He likes sports and cars. He thinks Amy is the cutest girl ever.
TMM | 05
LIFE & SCIENCE
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL MIN 4
Stories of survival are told by every culture, but the best ones teach wise lessons that can actually help save your life. Being lost in the woods is a terrifying (and sometimes deadly) experience. Knowing how to find your way back to civilization after being disoriented is a lifesaving skill, and a skill that you would want to know if the worst were to happen. Our story today follows Lily and Amy, two girls preparing for a camping trip, as they make a safety plan to prevent becoming lost in the wilderness. If you lost your sense of direction, would you know how to save yourself? Read the full article to learn how to navigate without a map or compass.
：
EDITOR KYLE MCHENRY
TMM | 06
LIFE & SCIENCE
担心野外会迷路，试试这个方法！ Q1 Q2
：在野外，如果没有指南针，我们还可以用什么来知道方向？ ：艾米告诉莉莉的方法是什么？
莉莉和艾米想下星期去野营，她们在商量出发前的一些事情。 莉莉：艾米，我们这次野营要带什么工具呢？我担心我们会迷路。 艾米：如果担心迷路，我们可以带上指南针和地图。 莉莉：好的，我其实没有什么方向感。如果没有指南针，我们怎么知道方向呢 ? 艾米：我知道我们可以看树的年轮 ，它能告诉我们方向。 莉莉：树的年轮？ 艾米 : 对。树的年轮更密集的一面是北方。我还知道一个办法。我们可以在有太 阳的地方，竖立一个一米长的木棍。然后在木棍影子的最上边放一块石头，表示 为 A 。等到 30 分钟以后，这个影子会跑到另外一个地方。我们再在影子的最上边 放第二块石头，表示为 B 。在 A 和 B 之间画一条线，这条线两边是东和西。然后再 做一条和它垂直的线，这条线两边是南和北。 莉莉 : 那这怎么知道哪里是南，哪里是北呢 ? 艾米：我们在北半球，所以向着太阳的方向是南。如果我们在南半球，向着太阳 的方向是北。 莉莉：原来还有这么多办法！ 艾米：所以，不用太担心了。那我们再看看，还需要什么其他的东西吧。 莉莉：好！ 作者：PUPPET TMM | 07
VOCAB!
工具
gōng jù tool / instrument / utensil
迷路
TEACHER'S NOTE
你喜欢露营吗？如果在野外迷了路，你有 什么办法辨别方向吗？文章介绍了三种在 野外辨别方向的方法：一种是看树的年 轮；另一种是用两个木棍的影子辨别方 向；还有一种很简单的方法，就是看太 阳。具体怎么辨别呢？让我们再文章中找 到答案吧。
mí lù to lose the way / lost
Do you like camping? If you get lost in the wild, do you have any way to tell the direction? This paper introduces three ways to identify the direction in the field. One is to look at the tree rings; The other is to use the shadow of two sticks to identify the direction; Another very simple way is to look at the sun. How to distinguish it? Let's find the answer in the article.
fāng xiàng direction / orientation
指南针
zhǐ nán zhēn compass
方向 年轮
nián lún annual ring / growth ring
影子
yǐng zi shadow
野营
垂直
商量
北半球
chuí zhí perpendicular; vertical
yě yíng to camp
Běi bàn qiú Northern Hemisphere
shāng liang to consult / to talk over / to discuss
TMM | 08 05
r e m m gra ew br 语法：原来 原来”在文章中做副词，表示“发现了以前不知道的情况”，用在主语前面或后面 都可以。 The adverb“原来” in the text indicates the discovery of a formerly “
unknown situation. It can be used either before or after the subject. Example:
原来你会弹钢琴！ So you can play the piano! 他没来上课，原来是生病了。
Turned out he was sick, so he didn’t come to the class.
：
Editor Wang Xinmiao
TMM | 09 05
FOOD IS EVERYTHING
CHINESE FOOD
NO DONKEYS IN A DONKEY ROLL INTERMEDIATE LEVEL MIN 6 The “rolling donkey,” also known as a donkey roll, is a famous Beijing snack with an intriguing name. It has become a favorite dish throughout China, and has even spread beyond the borders to the rest of the world due to its popularity. In fact, people will often travel to the city just to satisfy their need for donkey rolls. Golden soybeans are combined with red bean paste to create a sweet, fragrant, and hearty treat. The name leaves us with a question though,
how are donkeys involved with this dish? That’s the beauty of the rolling
donkey, as no donkeys are involved with the making of
these rolls! Discover the history of this recipe, and learn the story behind how the donkey roll got its name! Editor TMM | 10
：Kyle McHenry