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Gun Controls the Floods retells one of China's oldest and most inspiring legends in gentle, beginner-friendly Mandarin, making it an ideal resource for new learners of Chinese and for students preparing for the HSK exams. Instead of relying on rote memorization, this book guides readers to acquire vocabulary naturally through a meaningful, emotionally rich story. The tale follows Gun, a man of great love and determination, who is sent by Heaven to help the people suffering from endless floods. Day after day, year after year, Gun carries earth, tries new methods, and refuses to give up, even when the waters do not obey. His perseverance, compassion, and unwavering heart make him a beloved figure, even though the problem remains unsolved in his lifetime. When his son Yu later succeeds in controlling the floods, the people still remember Gun with deep gratitude for his devotion and sacrifice. The story is written using simple structures and vocabulary accessible even to HSK 1 learners, while still preserving the emotional depth of the ancient tale. Each chapter comes in three formats—simplified Chinese, pinyin, and English translation—allowing readers to understand the text fully and build confidence as they read. Sentence-by-sentence explanations further reinforce comprehension, ensuring that every new word and expression is absorbed in context rather than memorized in isolation. Beautifully structured for self-study or classroom use, Gun Controls the Floods offers a rich reading experience that strengthens vocabulary, improves fluency, and builds a strong foundation in Chinese through storytelling. It is more than a language resource—it is a timeless moral story about love, courage, and the quiet strength of those who dedicate their lives to helping others.
Chong Shipei is a Singaporean native Chinese writer and educator who specializes in creating accessible, meaningful Chinese readers for learners of all ages. Shipei's professional background spans early childhood education, social work, and volunteer service with children from diverse backgrounds, including special-needs students and underprivileged youth. She scores distinction for her Chinese during her "O" level. Her readers are known for their clear structure, carefully controlled vocabulary, and warm narrative voice. She often writes using simplified language frameworks such as HSK-aligned vocabulary, making her books especially suitable for beginners, young readers, and independent learners. Beyond everyday stories, her work also includes retellings of folklore, history, and Bible stories, written with sensitivity and clarity for early learners. Through her writing and teaching, Chong Shipei continues to help learners build not only their Chinese proficiency, but also confidence, curiosity, and a lasting love for reading.
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