Xiang Tuo became famous in Chinese history because Confucius recognized him as his teacher. Throughout Chinese history, young children were inspired by the example of Xiang Tuo.

Xiang Tuo was a young boy living in ancient China. Xiang Tuo was living in the State of Lu during the Spring Autumn period of Chinese history. Spring Autumn period of Chinese history is about two thousand and five hundred years ago.

The Chinese history had a very clear record of how Xiang Tuo became the teacher of Confucius at the age of 7. Please note that Chinese age is always a year more than actual age, since Chinese belief is to consider a new born baby as a year old.

Other than that, the Chinese history did not have anything more to say about Xiang Tuo. His date of birth and all other details are not in Chinese history.

Below is the story of how Confucius met Xiang Tuo as recorded in Chinese history.

One day, Confucius was riding in a chariot with his disciples. A group of boys were building a sand castle in the middle of the road.

Confucius asked the boys to move aside and let the chariot passed. Xiang Luo replied: When does a castle give way to a chariot? All the while, chariots have to go round a castle to get to the other side.

Confucius was astonished at the reply. Being a famous teacher, Confucius refused to admit defeat to a young boy.

Confucius fired off a stream of questions to test Xiang Luo. The questions include:

a. Which mountain has no rock?
b. Which body of water does not have fish living in it?
c. Which cow does not give birth to young?
d. What man does not have a wife?
e. Shat woman does not have a husband?
f. Which city does not have government officers?

Xiang Luo replied:

a. A sand mountain has no rock
b. fish does not live in well water
c. A cow made of mud does not give birth to young
d. Angel does not have wife
e. Fairy does not have husband
f. An empty castle does not have government officers.

Confucius was astounded by the intelligence of 7 years old Xiang Luo.

He invited Xiang Luo to play a game with him. That game was a form of gambling. Xiang Luo refused. He said A king who gambles led to the downfall of his country; A farmer who gambles will not have a good harvest; A student who gambled ignore his studies; I do not gamble. Gambling is a useless activity, why should I learn?

Confucius was deeply embarrassed. He admitted that he learnt a lot from this young boy. He openly declared Xiang Luo as his teacher and told his disciples that: There will be a teacher among any 3 persons travelling together. You must not be ashamed to ask questions and learn.

Xiang Luo became famous as words spread. His name was permanently recorded in Chinese history as the youngest teacher of Confucius.

However, Xiang Luo did not live till ripe, old age. He died at the age of 10.

So folks, do not ignore the wisdom of children. Do not belittle your children. Young children are capable of speaking the most-profound truth. If Xiang Luo could contribute to the wisdom of Confucius, children can contribute to your wisdom too.

As Confucius had so wisely spoken thousand of years ago, we must not be ashamed to ask and learn.

The story of Xiang Tuo inspired many outstanding youths in Chinese history. Chinese history contains many accounts of kids less than ten years old, with remarkable contribution.