The Amazing Leaf in the Cup
A Tale of Tea Retold in English and Chinese
A long time ago, a young man named Ding Xian is finally qualified for the imperial examination held in the capital city. Ding Xian travels day and night. While he is passing through Wuyi Mountain, he is so tired that he cannot walk any longer. A kind monk happens to pass by and sees the weak Ding Xian. After he takes Ding Xian back to the temple in the mountain, the monk makes him a beverage with some leaves and hot water. This magical drink rejuvenates Ding Xian immediately. The energetic Ding Xian continues with his journey to the capital city. As a result, Ding Xian wins the first place in the imperial exam!
Ding Xian is deeply impressed by the kindness of the monk and the magical drink. He returns to Wuyi Mountain to visit the monk with some valuable gifts, but the monk refuses to accept them. Instead, the monk takes Ding Xian to the mountain behind the temple, where the raw ingredient of the magical drink can be found – the tea tree. Since then, Ding Xian starts his new learning path on tea.
After graduating from Donghua University majoring in digital media, Wei Yiping established her own art studio and has been very active in Sino-Japanese cultural exchange activities. Currently, she is a full-time art teacher and a freelance illustrator.
