《我家的大雁飞走了》Level 2 Graded Reader
If you have about one year of college level Chinese behind you, the level 2 graded readers from Chinese Breeze are a great way to take a break from textbook dialogues and grammar examples. “Our Geese Have Gone” is a fun and heart-warming story that you will enjoy while you improve your Chinese .
One of the authors is Yuehua Liu a veteran Chinese instructor who is one of the author’s of the “Integrated Chinese” textbooks used by many colleges and high schools.
A word about geese…. (大雁 vs. 鹅)
If you are thinking this book will help you with a menu selection at a Chinese restaurant, it won’t. “大雁” is used to describe wild geese, which typically are not served. The type of bird which is eaten is 鹅 (note the radial 鸟， indicating “bird”). It is considered to be a delicacy.
How this book will help you
When you learn Chinese from a textbook, or review flashcards, you’ll find yourself forgetting things that you may have studied and not used. The beauty of extensive reading, is that you will be reminded of grammar structures and vocabulary as you work through a story.
I did a face palm as I read “Our Geese Have Gone” when I encountered the word 参观. It looked familiar, I knew I should have known the word, but I forgot it. That’s the beauty of extensive reading, these graded readers will help reenforce what you have studied.
Basic Plot of 《我家的大雁飞走了》
The story is set in a poor village in western China. The narrator recalls his childhood after 25 years. His grandfather was a very good hunter who would shoot geese to earn money. He used the money to buy things for his grandchildren.
To tell the story, the authors had to use some rather specific vocabulary such as “sentry goose” 哨雁 （shao4 yan4）, but when such challenging words and phrases are introduced into the text, they are amply footnoted and repeated to help you learn that word.
This sentry goose 哨雁, is central to the story. He watches over the sleeping flock for predators and make a loud cry if danger appears. This goose, named 小白， is especially good at his jobs and frustrates the grandfather who is determined to take him out.
One day, the grandfather’s anger transforms into sympathy. An eagle attacks the flock and 小白 bravely fends him off, but is severely injured. The grandfather and his grandson, take 小白 to a doctor who helps them get the necessary care.
Since I don’t want to give away the entire plot, I’ll stop here. Get the book and read it for yourself. I think you’ll enjoy the story.
Other features of “Our Geese Have Gone”
The book is illustrated which makes it helpful to interpret the text if you have a bit of trouble understanding. However, the illustrations are a not too colorful. In newer books they’ve improved their artwork.
The books is amply footnoted and has a vocabulary index in the back. Chinese Breeze books also come with an audio CD so you can hear a narration of the text at a slow speed and and a normal pace. That’s a good way to improve your listening skills!
I hope you pick up a copy of “Our Geese Have Gone”. You’ll read a nice story and be a better Chinese learner as a result!
