In this episode of ABC in the Middle, I’m sharing a powerful Chinese moral story I grew up with, now retold for my son—and for you.

This is a Mandarin language version of the story behind the idiom:

貪心不足，蛇吞象 (Greed knows no bounds—like a snake trying to swallow an elephant)

📖 What’s it about?

A boy goes on a journey to save his sick mother by retrieving a glowing pearl hidden inside a magical mountain serpent. But when greed clouds his judgment, the outcome turns tragic…

You'll learn and practice Chinese listening and speaking:

• Chinese storytelling with pinyin and English translation
• A vivid moral lesson about greed, promises, and self-restraint
• How this folk version reflects the deep meaning behind a classic idiom

Perfect for Mandarin learners, ABC families, and anyone curious about Chinese culture, values, and psychology.

Watch all videos: https://youtube.com/@chinamyth

#ChineseStorytime #LearnMandarin #ChineseIdioms #ChineseCulture #SpeakChinese

My son, Jayden, is growing up in a world of abundance—and that’s a blessing. But it also means helping him understand the value of gratitude and the dangers of greed.

In this video, I share the 4 Chinese idioms my parents taught me to remind me that Greed is Bad! (不要贪). These timeless Mandarin phrases are more than just language—they're parenting tools, moral lessons, and psychological insights all wrapped into memorable stories.

Learn and practice:

1. 貪心不足，蛇吞象 – Greed without limits will destroy you
2. 得寸進尺 – Take more than you're given? You'll lose goodwill.
3. 貪多嚼不爛 – Biting off too much ruins everything.
4. 吃著碗裡，看著鍋裡 – Craving more makes you forget what you have.

Let’s help the next generation build character through language, culture, and curiosity.

Watch all videos: https://youtube.com/@chinamyth

#LearnMandarin #ChineseIdioms #ChineseCulture #MandarinForKids #ChineseAmerican

Chinese numbers are more than just math—they’re full of meanings, superstitions, and slang expressions that reveal how Chinese people think, feel, and communicate.

In this episode of ABC in the Middle, I’ll walk you through the most commonly used Chinese number slangs, from unlucky 4 (四) and lucky 8 (八), to love messages like 520 (I love you), 521 (I'm willing), and even the not-so-nice 250 (idiot).

You'll learn:

Why Chinese buildings skip the 4th floor
Why license plates with 8s sell for millions
How to say "I love you forever" in just 7 digits
Why calling someone 250 (èr bǎi wǔ) is not a compliment
And how number slangs are used on WeChat and social media

Each number is explained with pronunciation, cultural psychology, and real-world examples—so you can use them confidently and avoid awkward misunderstandings.

Watch all videos: https://youtube.com/@chinamyth

#ChineseSlang #LearnMandarin #ChineseCulture #MandarinForBeginners #SpeakChinese