Taiwan's first lady Chow Mei-ching entertained a group of German children by telling a traditional Chinese story at a community library in an east Berlin suburb Wednesday. Speaking through an interpreter, Chow told more than 20 children the tale of how 12 animals were chosen for the Chinese zodiac as part of the students' two-week autumn vacation activities. With lively gestures and body language, Chow drew the schoolchildren into the captivating Chinese legend. She later talked with German library curators about how to promote reading to young children. Chow also presented a collection of books, including illustrated books by noted Taiwanese writers Chen Chih-yuan and Liu Ke-hsiang, Yami-language illustrated books and German editions of literary works by Taiwanese authors. Her gifts to the library also included discs featuring performances by renowned Taiwanese performing troupes, such as Cloud Gate Dance Theatre and U-Theatre. Liu Ke-hsiang, known for his writings on nature and Taiwan's ecological evolution, accompanied Chow on the library visit as he is serving as a writer in residence in Berlin. He autographed the books presented by Chow to the library. Chow arrived in Berlin Monday in her capacity as honorary director of the Taiwanese opera troupe Ming Hwa Yuan on the first leg of its 10-day, six-country performance tour. The first lady is scheduled to visit a Slavic minority ethnic park in eastern Germany Thursday and will tour several other tourist attractions before returning to Taipei Saturday. The Ming Hwa Yuan troupe performed its signature play 'The Living Buddha' at the Admiralspalast theater in Berlin Tuesday and Wednesday. The group will then perform in six other European cities -- Prague, Vienna, Paris, London, Edinburgh and Amsterdam. Apart from formal performances, the troupe will also hold workshops at universities to introduce traditional Taiwanese opera to audiences in Europe. 