弹
=
单
+
弓
:
Don Quixote (d) is preparing a bullet (弹) list in the anthill's bathroom (an4), but he took the term a little too literally. To create the bullet points on his list (单), he is trying to shoot bullets (弹) at the list using a composite bow (弓).
to pluck (a string) / to play (a string instrument) / to spring or leap / to shoot (e.g. with a catapult) / (of cotton) to fluff or tease / to flick / to flip / to accuse / to impeach / elastic (of materials)
弹
=
单
+
弓
:
Tecumseh (t) is giving a concert in the anthill's kitchen (an2). He is playing a composite bow (弓) with just a single string. As he is plucking (弹) the string (弹) of his bow, he often looks at the floor where he taped a list (单) of songs to play so that he doesn't forget which song is next.
finger / to point at or to / to indicate or refer to / to depend on / to count on / (of hair) to stand on end
指
=
扌
+
旨
:
James II of England (zh) received another imperial decree (旨) In the space station (Ø3). Because his finger (指) nails (指甲) are so long, he has to use a toy claw (扌) to open the letter. In the decree it is written that he shall cut his finger nails because they are the only human objects than can be seen from earth without visual aide.
(possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的[de5]) / him / her / it
之
=
丶
+
Z
:
Mnemonic symbol: Sooo sleepy... "zZz" (the character looks like a "Z"). James II of England (zh) fell asleep in front of the space station (Ø1). He sleeps on a big petal leaf (丶), making loud "zZz" (之) sounds.
(after a noun) between; among; amid / (used after certain bisyllabic words to form expressions indicating a short period of time, e.g. 彈指之間|弹指之间[tan2 zhi3 zhi1 jian1])
间
=
日
+
门
:
Joan of Arc wants to try a new approach of solving earth's energy crisis. In front of the anthill she set up a changing cubicle and invites the sun to try it out. The sun doesn't know that the Joan of Arc installed a trap door inside of the changing cubicle and plans to exploit the sun as quasi inexhaustible energy source once she captured her.