The Three-Character Classic is a classic Chinese text that has been used for centuries to teach children the basics of Confucianism and Chinese culture. The text is composed of 1,140 characters, each of which is three characters long. It covers a wide range of topics, including morality, history, geography, and even astronomy.

According to legend, the Three-Character Classic was written by Wang Yinglin, a scholar from the Song Dynasty, as a way to teach his son the basics of Confucianism. The text became so popular that it was eventually adopted as a standard textbook in Chinese schools.

The Three-Character Classic begins with the famous phrase, "人之初，性本善" (rén zhī chū, xìng běn shàn), which means "At the beginning of life, people are inherently good." The text goes on to explain the basic principles of Confucianism, such as filial piety, respect for elders, and the importance of education.

One of the most famous stories from the Three-Character Classic is that of Confucius and his disciple Yan Hui. According to the story, Yan Hui was so dedicated to his studies that he would often forget to eat and sleep. Confucius, concerned for his disciple's health, asked him why he was working so hard. Yan Hui replied, "I want to become a sage like you, Master." Confucius then said, "If you want to become a sage, you must first learn to take care of your body. How can you expect to take care of others if you cannot take care of yourself?"

The Three-Character Classic is still widely read and studied in China today, and has been translated into many different languages. Its simple, straightforward style makes it accessible to people of all ages and educational backgrounds, and its teachings continue to inspire and influence people around the world.