Ming and his father travel to Qufu in China's Shandong Province, the hometown of the famous Chinese sage Confucius, born over 2,500 years ago. While Ming's father studies the stunning historic architecture, Ming's attention is drawn to a game of Chinese checkers set up in a gazebo. But as soon as he touches the checkers, Ming finds himself magically transported back in time to ancient Qufu. There he meets Confucius and his students, and explores with them the principles established by the renowned teacher, which remain so important in China today.