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Hard Work Can Turn An Iron Rod Into A Needle

铁杵成针

tiě chǔ chéng zhēn

Li Bai (李白) was one of the greatest poets in China's Tang Dynasty, which is often considered China's ‘golden age’ of poetry. Approximately 1,100 poems attributed to him remain today, including thirty-four in the popular anthology, 'Three Hundred Tang Poems'.

Legend has it that Li Bai was originally the God in charge of poetry in Heaven, but he offended the Heavenly Emperor and thus was exiled to Earth where he became a son of a rich merchant.

Brilliant and talented as he was, little Li Bai disliked studying and often skipped class to play. One day, when he was fishing by a river, he saw a white-haired old woman grinding an iron rod on a big stone.

Out of curiosity Li Bai came up and asked: "What are you doing, Ayi? "

"I'm grinding this iron rod," the old women said kindly, but did not stop her work.

"Why are you doing that?" Li Bai asked.

"I want to make a sewing needle," was the reply.

"What?!" exclaimed Li Bai, surprised, "You want to grind such a thick rod into a tiny needle? It is impossible!"

"Anything is possible, as long as you stick to it." The old woman looked at Li Bai, her eyes shining with intelligence, "I know it may take me decades to make a needle from this rod, but it doesn't matter. As long as I persevere in grinding, I will definitely make a needle. Remember there is nothing you cannot achieve as long as you stick to it."

Li Bai was deeply moved by the old woman's words. He went back to his school and from then on he studied diligently and became a great poet and scholar.

Later, Li Bai travelled to Tai Mountain (Tai Shan), where he visited the temple of Bi Xia Yuan Jun (a goddess in Chinese myth). He found the statue of the goddess looked very familiar. That night he dreamed that he saw the old woman again. She introduced herself as Bi Xia Yuan Jun and told Li Bai that many years ago she saw him neglect his studies, so she turned into an old woman and taught him a lesson.

The saying Hard Work Can Turn An Iron Rod Into A Needle, tiě chǔ chéng zhēn, refers to being extremely talented but realising that it requires hard work and dedication to fully develop that talent.

Li Bai: 'Drinking Alone by Moonlight'

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Kaixin General - Bibs & Bobs

Set in Zanzibar in 1910, it is the story of two people from different worlds falling in love. Susan immerses herself in Zanzibar. Asim falls in love with this woman from the nation that killed his wife. Susan is a spy. Asim is the chief advisor to the Sultan of Zanzibar. Germany and France are holding secret negotiations to form a Pan European alliance, which would isolate Britain and destroy her power. Susan and Asim are caught up in all this and their love is finally dashed on the cold, hard reality of international high politics.

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Around China is a television magazine program jointly produced by CCTV International and local TV stations across China. Around China introduces the people, culture and economic development of various regions and ethnic minority groups of China to the world.

Around China offers viewers glimpses of the beautiful scenery and rich cultural heritage of China, as well as the ever-changing lifestyle of the Chinese people as we embark onto the 21st century.

Beneath the earth and all around us lie the unexplained works of Man and Nature. New Frontiers investigates the enduring mysteries in our past and in Nature, in order to push forward our understanding of the world we live in today.

Broadcast on CCTV-9 five days a week, Monday to Friday, New Frontiers is a 30-minute programme that gets to the heart of its subject in single episodes and series.

New Frontiers hears from the archaeologists, the anthropologists, and the historians who have extended the boundaries of what we know about our own past, our planet’s history, the natural world around us, and the universe. Their stories are brought to life through documentary footage, re-enactments and outstanding visual and audio effects.

Much of New Frontiers’ programming focuses on China’s own history, and the country’s natural environment. Anyone with an interest in China’s culture, civilisation, and natural heritage will be fascinated by New Frontiers.

In New Frontiers, we open your eyes to the unsolved mysteries of history. We focus on the most important landmarks of civilization and nature, across China and beyond, to unveil the truth about mankind and our world, past and present. Tune in every week, Monday to Friday, only on CCTV International.

Beneath the earth and all around us lie the unexplained works of Man from throughout history. JOURNEYS IN TIME investigates the enduring mysteries in our past and in the world around us, in order to push forward our understanding of life as we know it today.

Broadcast on CCTV-NEWS daily, JOURNEYS IN TIME is a 45-minute programme that gets to the heart of its subject in single episodes and multi-part series.

JOURNEYS IN TIME hears from the archaeologists, the anthropologists and the historians who have extended the boundaries of what we know about our own past and our planet’s history. Their stories are brought to life through documentary footage, re-enactments and outstanding visual and audio effects.

Much of JOURNEYS IN TIME’s programming focuses on China’s own history and culture. Anyone with an interest in tracing the course of China’s historical and cultural development, will not want to miss JOURNEYS IN TIME.

In JOURNEYS IN TIME, we open your eyes to the unsolved mysteries of history and the world, from the dawn of civilization to the modern era. We focus on the most important landmarks of human civilization, across China and beyond, to unveil the truth about mankind and our world. Tune in every day, only on CCTV NEWS.

Up-Close is an interview program featuring intimate discussions with extraordinary individuals who are making news in China and the world. Broadcast each Sunday, the 45-minute program focuses on exciting newsmakers discussing topics of regional and global concern today. As CCTV9's only program with a studio audience, our show is an "Up Close" conversation between our inspiring guests and YOU. Touch the times with Up-Close!

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Chapter One

Zanzibar

'A maharaja’s ruby cast on a Persian carpet by the blackest of hands'

Their souls danced, honouring his promise.

The ancient dhow stirred in the soft morning breeze. Like a sleepy lion, it began to move through the water, snuffling about the other boats on the harbour; some scurrying, some at anchor, some darting before a brief gust of wind. The lateen sails a bustling panorama of blood-red and sun-bleached white.

Aft, the woman's eyes searched the skyline, drinking in the architecture of Stone Town, the heart of Zanzibar; its jagged, cluttered silhouette so familiar, so much a part of her soul.

Abruptly, her eyes ceased their restless searching, jagged by an invisible hook, transfixed by the grand buildings on the northern shore, Beit-al-Ajaib, the House of Wonders, Palace to the great Sultan of Zanzibar. The distinctive architecture captured in the tropical light: coconut white outlined by contrasting shadow plays of pepper black.

A smile, ever so slight, started to play on the edge of her mouth then disappeared. A memory that should have been fond instantly turned to sharp unbearable pain. Her eyes hardened and moved on.

Without warning the captain threw the rudder over. Stumbling, the woman barked her shin on a wooden box, a rough-hewn coffin. She recoiled, knocking over an untidy stack of cane baskets. Imprisoned in the baskets, rusty cockerels, their scruffy heads straining through the latticework, snapped at her, cried out to her; their raucous din overwhelming her, drowning her.

Dimly, through the fog of noise, the strident swearing of the sailors in Kiswahili seeped into her conscious. Understanding, she smiled mirthlessly.

The coffin had been carelessly stowed, a chore, rather than a labour of respect or love.

London 1910

“Hello, who are you? I am Oliver, is Edward at home?”

The words were spoken by a tall, impeccably dressed young man as he rushed into Edward’s flat shaking off surplus water and calling for whisky while shoving his umbrella into a stand. It was a blustery, grey, bitterly cold February afternoon in the heart of London. He brushed a curl of soft auburn hair from his forehead and smiled charmingly.

Susan laughed, her hazel eyes dancing with the exhilaration of the new. “Yes, he is having a bath. I think he is trying to get warm. I’m Susan, Susan Carey, his sister.”

“Ahhh yes, from Australia. How do you do?” said Sir Oliver, smiling broadly and offering his hand. He noticed the laughter in her eyes, and the depth, particularly the depth, intensified by jade flecks that made them striking and alluring. “So, you have arrived, good trip I trust.”

“I am very well thank you, and yes, it was a good trip,” replied Susan.

He laughed and glanced at the sitting room, “whisky?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, please come in…….. that was silly of me, after all, it is your flat.”

Oliver smiled and gestured for Susan to lead the way. He followed her into the room, and after helping himself to a generous portion of whisky, walked over to the fire.

Shortly after, Edward, wrapped in a huge ruby-coloured dressing gown and wiping soap from his ear strode into the room. He was of similar age to Oliver, late twenties, well built, if slightly podgy, with dark auburn hair and a full moustache. Susan looked up and smiled to herself, she could see now where he had picked up some of his new mannerisms.

“Thought I could hear voices. I see you two have met, no need for introductions then.”

As he was speaking, Edward walked to the side table and grabbed a whisky decanter by the neck. He glanced at Oliver who nodded. A long finger snaked into one of the tumblers followed by the distinctive clink of crystal. He swept the decanter off the table and carried it to where Oliver was sitting. After pouring the whisky, he sank into a lounge chair and sipped from his glass, enjoying the warm glow as it spread through his body.

Suddenly he sat up exclaiming, “Sorry sis, would you like something to drink?”

“Kind of you to remember, but no thank you, and yes, Oliver has already inquired.”

Edward nodded and sank back into his lounge chair.

They chatted, tentatively at first, getting to know one another. Edward had not seen Susan for two years and was unsure how his sister would take his new relationship. Oliver was intrigued by Susan. An attractive, self-assured young lady of high intelligence with a degree was a rare find. And, as fate would have it, she was also a trained and experienced teacher. He suggested a picnic at Oxford, which was met with ready acquiescence. Arrangements were made for the following Sunday.

“I’ll see if the Rolls is available,” mused Oliver. “Must ring father, haven’t spoken to him in ages.”

Oliver, Sir Oliver Marchmaine, was an unaffected young man of intense intelligence who saw life as a great adventure to be lived to the full. He was also unyieldingly loyal to his country, England, which is why he had joined Military Intelligence on leaving Oxford.

It was 1910 and Europe was stirring. It was a time full of interest, intrigue and danger. The European chessboard was becoming increasingly complex, the moves more subtle. A time when an unexpected move or feint could have profound consequences.

Regaining her balance, the woman’s eyes were drawn, hesitantly at first, resisting back to Beit-al-Ajaib. She wondered if it was still the same. Still the same centre of power and intrigue that had been so much a part of her life all those years before; that had defined her life.

She remembered those first few moments, remembered standing in the foyer of the palace, .………… remembered the breathtakingly beautiful Persian tapestry ........

The sea breeze stirred her clothes. She smiled a little sadly, and in her mind the tapestry gently swayed. Two small apparitions ran giggling up the stairs: two small exquisitely rich burkas disappearing along the first floor landing. Childish squeals of mischief and joy left in the air.......

“Move to seaward, you accused of Allah! Move!”

Her thoughts were clawed back to the dhow, the captain crashing the tiller over to avoid another boat on the crowded harbour. The woman instinctively ducked her head to avoid the heavy boom as it swung over her, the rusty cockerels squawked their raucous indignation, their heads straining through the latticework, relentless.

The collision avoided, the dhow continued on its way. The cacophony dying down to the occasional command by the captain or the cry of a seagull.

The woman's thoughts returned to Beit-al-Ajaib

…………. laughing and giggling, girls of seven or eight. A door on the first floor slammed and all sounds of them disappeared. Silence. The woman smiled. She could see herself, a young woman, dressed plainly, unselfconsciously, her sexuality tantalisingly just out of reach, hidden beneath the thin veil of her clothing. She remembered standing alone in the foyer, looking around, perplexed. Asim came through a door to the left of the tapestry.

“Salaam.”

The woman started and looked around. Then, realising, was cold again. Alone again. Alone, rocking to and fro to the rythm of the sea. Alone, beside a rough-hewn coffin.

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