坦

tǎn = t + an3

flat / open-hearted / level / smooth

坦 = 土 + 旦 : Tecumseh (t) is finishing the new floor in the anthill (an3). He prepared a traditional floor made out of earth (土) and is finishing it with a mug (旦). He is hammering the floor smooth and level (坦) using the mug.

坦 character breakdown

坦
- 土
  - 一
  - 十
    - 一
    - 丨
- 旦
  - 一
  - 日
    - 一
    - 囗

土

tǔ = tu + Ø3

Tu (ethnic group) / surname Tu

土

tǔ = tu + Ø3

earth / dust / clay / local / indigenous / crude opium / unsophisticated / one of the eight categories of ancient musical instruments 八音[ba1 yin1]

土 = 十 + 一 : Tommy Turtle (tu) wants to fix a cross (十) on a flute (一) in the space station's living room (Ø3). He uses dust and clay (土) to hold them together.

旦

dàn = d + an4

dawn / morning / daybreak / day / dan, female roles in Chinese opera (traditionally played by specialized male actors)

旦 = 一 + 日 : Mnemonic symbol: A big mug, since many people start the day with a mug of coffee.

Don Quixote (d) meets the sun (日) early in the morning (旦) in the anthill's bathroom (an4). Don Quixote is full of energy and can't wait to start into a new adventure, but since the sun is a morning grouch who only just started drinking her mug of coffee (mnemonic symbol for 旦) she cannot stand it and beats him over the head with a flute (一) to calm him a bit down.