The short story dances are like little excerpts from Chinese history. They may be about the Yellow Emperor of antiquity, a modern-day tale, heroes, deities, or colorful characters that have appeared throughout the millennia of dynasties. A unique feature of Chinese civilization is that its history has been recorded and passed down uninterrupted for some 3,000 years, sometimes in vivid detail. This provides Shen Yun with abundant source material, making it possible to revive this ancient culture on the twenty-first century stage. In under 10 minutes each, these mini dramas recount these timeless legends, bygone heroes, literary classics, celestial paradises, and more. Every dance embodies and celebrates the virtues that were at the heart of Chinese civilization for thousands of years: loyalty, courage, compassion, and piety.