In the Moon Palace, Wu Gang endlessly chops the osmanthus tree. This is a classic story about effort and punishment.
Teacher Liu, I’ve heard the stories of Chang’e and the Jade Rabbit. What is ‘Wu Gang chopping the osmanthus tree’?
This is another Mid-Autumn legend related to the moon. Wu Gang was punished for making a mistake and sent to the Moon Palace to chop down the osmanthus tree.
Chopping a tree? Shouldn’t that be finished quickly?
It’s not that simple. The osmanthus tree is magical—the wound heals immediately after being cut, so it can never be chopped down.
Ah, so Wu Gang has to keep chopping forever?
Yes, that’s why people say ‘Wu Gang chopping the osmanthus tree’ is an endless punishment.
This story is a bit sad, but it also reminds me of the spirit of perseverance.
Well said. Chinese people can also understand the importance of hard work and persistence from this story.
Why use the app
Access 1,000+ dialogues and all study tools
Ask the AI, use repeat playback, save vocabulary, and track your progress
1,000+ dialogues and 500+ Easy Mandarin News articles are available.
Use repeat playback, adjust audio speed, and save words to flashcards.
Get instant explanations for grammar, usage, and sentence structure.