Radical 厶

10 strokes

cocoon 厶 (34a) + moon 月 (61) + two spoons 匕 (206a) = able to 能

The one and only example in this book where a character is broken down into four parts which are then combined in a story.

可能 (140) kěnéng may, possible

[能干 (124) nénggàn capable]

[能力 (14) nénglì ability]

You see someone picking up a cocoon in the moon light … it’s a waiter practicing picking things up using two spoons held in one hand — he has to be able to do this before he can pass his waitering exams. / [DIY pronunciation]

Notice how this differs from “seven” (Character 37) where the sloping stroke extends to both sides of the hook stroke. Many books give the stroke order as the other way round.