The Story#
A long, long time ago, there were eight immortals, each with special powers.
Tie Guaili, leaning on an iron crutch, carrying a big gourd; Han Zhongli, waving a palm-leaf fan, always smiling; Zhang Guolao, riding a donkey backward, singing songs; Lu Dongbin, carrying a sword on his back, handsome and dashing; He Xiangu, holding a lotus flower, beautiful and kind; Lan Caihe, carrying a flower basket, loving to sing; Han Xiangzi, playing a flute, music flowing beautifully; Cao Guojiu, holding jade tablets, very learned.
One day, the eight immortals were going to the East Sea to attend a Peach Banquet.
When they reached the seaside, Lu Dongbin said: “Let’s not take a boat. Let’s each show our powers and cross the sea ourselves!”
“Good!” everyone agreed.
Tie Guaili threw his iron crutch into the sea—it became a small boat, and he jumped on; Han Zhongli threw his palm-leaf fan into the sea and sat on it, floating; Zhang Guolao rode his donkey right across the water; Lu Dongbin stepped on his sword and flew across the sea; He Xiangu stood on a lotus flower, floating across; Lan Caihe sat in his flower basket, drifting along; Han Xiangzi played his flute, walking on sound waves across the sea; Cao Guojiu stepped on his jade tablets, crossing steadily.
The eight immortals each showed their powers and all successfully crossed the sea!
Little friends, the saying “Eight immortals cross the sea, each showing their powers” comes from this story. It means everyone has their own skills and methods.
What the Story Teaches Us#
The eight immortals each had their own powers and could all cross the sea. This story teaches us that everyone has their own strengths—we should use our advantages and find methods that suit us.