The Story of Sima Guang Smashing the Jar

    By Storybird

    The Story of Sima Guang Smashing the Jar cover image

    22 Feb, 2024

    a painting of a woman holding a bowl of food in a market with asian lanterns hanging above her and a man standing in front of her, cloisonnism, a storybook illustration, Drew Struzan, orientalism

    Once upon a time, in a small town in China, lived a curious boy named Sima Guang. He was well known for his intelligence and bravery. One day, he spotted a mysterious jar in the marketplace and he could not resist buying it.

    a painting of a person working on a vase with a window in the background and a person standing over it, cloisonnism, an ultrafine detailed painting, Clint Cearley, stanley artgerm lau

    The jar was old and dusty, but it intrigued Sima Guang. He believed that it held a secret waiting to be unveiled. He took it home and started examining it carefully.

    a woman sitting on the floor in front of a shelf of vases and jars with a lantern hanging above, cloisonnism, a photorealistic painting, Chen Hong, highly detailed digital painting

    Days turned into weeks, and Sima Guang was still figuring out the jar. His curiosity was piqued when he heard a faint sound from inside the jar, like a muffled whisper.

    a young boy holding a lantern in a room with other items on the table and a lantern in the middle of the room, cloisonnism, a storybook illustration, Aaron Jasinski, stanley artgerm lau

    He tried to open the jar, but it was sealed too tightly. He thought about breaking it, but he didn't want to damage what was inside. So, he decided to take a different approach.

    a painting of a young boy in a chinese costume holding a bowl and writing on a piece of paper, cloisonnism, a storybook illustration, Aaron Jasinski, stanley artgerm lau

    Sima Guang decided to use a hammer and a chisel to carefully break the jar. He started chipping away at the jar slowly, making sure not to damage anything inside.

    a boy in a chinese outfit holding a pot with a chinese writing on it and a chinese lantern in the background, cloisonnism, a storybook illustration, Arthur Pan, stanley artgerm lau

    Suddenly, the jar burst open with a loud bang. Sima Guang jumped back in surprise. He looked inside the jar and saw something he didn't expect.

    a young boy in a green and gold outfit with two green dragon heads on his shoulders and a green dragon head on his shoulder, cloisonnism, a storybook illustration, Du Jin, stanley artgerm lau

    Inside the jar was a small, golden dragon. It looked at Sima Guang with its bright, green eyes. It seemed grateful to be freed from its confinement.

    a young boy in a green kimono with a dragon on his shoulder and a green dragon on his shoulder, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chen Chun, stanley artgerm lau

    The dragon thanked Sima Guang for freeing him. In return, it promised to grant him a wish. Sima Guang was surprised but he thoughtfully considered his wish.

    a young boy in a green kimono with a dragon on his shoulder and a red ribbon around his neck, cloisonnism, a storybook illustration, Du Jin, stanley artgerm lau

    After a moment of thought, Sima Guang made his wish. He wished for knowledge and wisdom to help his people. The dragon nodded and granted his wish.

    a painting of a man and a child in a courtyard with a mountain in the background and a sky with clouds, magical realism, a storybook illustration, Christophe Vacher, storybook illustration

    With his new-found wisdom, Sima Guang was able to help his village in many ways. He solved disputes, helped with harvest, and even predicted weather changes.

    a young asian girl in a kimono standing in a courtyard with lanterns hanging above her head and a man in a kimono standing in front of her, fantasy art, a comic book panel, Drew Struzan, official art

    His wisdom became renowned throughout the land. People from far and wide started visiting him for advice. Sima Guang became a symbol of wisdom and fairness.

    a painting of a woman in a kimono holding a chopstick in front of a vase with a dragon on it, cloisonnism, a character portrait, Emperor Huizong of Song, trending on art station

    Years later, Sima Guang became a respected official. He always carried the broken pieces of the jar as a reminder of the golden dragon and his wish.

    a young girl sitting at a desk with a book and a pen in her hand and a book in front of her, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Bian Jingzhao, storybook illustration

    He never forgot the lessons he learned from his experience with the jar. He knew that wisdom comes from curiosity and courage, and he always encouraged others to pursue knowledge.

    a young boy in a green and gold kimono with a dragon on his head and a pagoda in the background, cloisonnism, a storybook illustration, Arthur Pan, orientalism

    The story of Sima Guang and the golden dragon became a popular tale. It reminded people that curiosity, courage and kindness could lead to great things.

    a man in a kimono standing in front of a tree with lanterns hanging from it's branches, cloisonnism, concept art, Chen Hong, official art

    Sima Guang's story was passed down through generations. It inspired many young minds to explore the world, seek knowledge, and be kind to others.

    a golden dragon sitting on top of a rock next to a waterfall with a waterfall in the background and a sun in the sky, fantasy art, an ultrafine detailed painting, Anne Stokes, dragon art

    The golden dragon, too, was not forgotten. It became a symbol of wisdom and gratitude. It reminded people to be thankful for their blessings and to use them wisely.

    a painting of a man in a glass jar with people around it and a crowd of people standing around, cloisonnism, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, orientalism

    The mysterious jar that once sat unnoticed in a marketplace became a symbol of discovery and the power of curiosity. It taught the importance of persistence in the face of challenges.

    a young asian girl in a red kimono standing in front of a cherry blossom tree in a chinese courtyard, cloisonnism, a character portrait, Drew Struzan, kinkade

    Sima Guang's life was filled with wisdom and kindness. His legacy lived on, inspiring countless others to seek knowledge and to act with courage and kindness.

    a girl sitting next to a dragon in a room with gold decorations and a fish bowl in front of her, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chen Chun, stanley artgerm lau

    To this day, the story of Sima Guang smashing the jar is told to children. It encourages them to be brave, curious, and kind, just like Sima Guang.

    a boy in a kimono standing next to a dog on a rock with a mountain in the background, sots art, concept art, Cliff Childs, official art

    So remember, like Sima Guang, never let go of your curiosity. It might lead you to great adventures and even greater wisdom. Stay brave, stay curious, and always be kind.

    a boy in a green and gold outfit holding a large vase and a dog standing next to him in front of a painting of a pagoda, cloisonnism, a storybook illustration, Chen Hong, official art

    And who knows? Maybe one day, you'll find your own mysterious jar waiting to be discovered. And when that day comes, remember Sima Guang and his golden dragon.

    The Story of Sima Guang Smashing the Jar