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Stepping Stones Lesson Ten

1. Audio Immersion

Listen to the audio recording of the story at least three times, just to familiarize yourself with its sounds. Each character represents one syllable, so you can try following along as you listen. Don't worry for now about the meanings of the characters or of the story as a whole.

塞翁失马

从前，塞北有一位深解人事的长者，人们叫他塞翁。一天，他家养的马不知什么原因跑到胡人的土地上去，没法找回来了。邻居们听说了，都来安慰塞翁。塞翁一点也不难过，说： “这说不定是件好事。”

过了几个月，他家的马认识路，自己跑回来了。还从胡人那里带回一匹好马。邻居们都特地来道喜。塞翁却说： “可也不见得是好事。”

因为家里有两匹好马，塞翁的儿子经常骑马出门。一次不小心，从马上摔下来，把腿摔断了。邻居们听到这事，都为塞翁难过。塞翁又说： “其实说不定是好事。” 大家都不相信塞翁。

过了一年，胡人进军攻打塞北。国王出师反攻。塞翁的邻居里上前线的人十之八九都没能回来。而塞翁的儿子，因为断腿，反而保全了生命。

Once you've got a good feel for the sounds in this story and can follow along as you listen, you are ready to go on to the next step.