桿

gǎn = g + an3

stick / pole / lever / classifier for long objects such as guns

杆 = 干 + 木 : Guy Fawkes (g) is putting up Christmas decorations in the anthill (an3). He is using a stick (杆) to put dried fruits (干) on top of the Christmas tree (木).

桿 character breakdown

桿
- 旱
  - 干
    - 一
    - 十
      - 一
      - 丨
  - 日
    - 一
    - 囗
- 木
  - 八
    - 丿
    - ㇏
  - 十
    - 一
    - 丨

旱

hàn = h + an4

drought

旱 = 日 + 干 : Mnemonic symbol: a marmot, 旱獭 (han4 ta3).

Hamlet (h) used the drought (旱) to dry fruits (干) under the sun (日) in the anthill's bathroom (an4), but the marmot (旱) secretly stole and ate all the dried fruits.

旱 = 日 + 干 : This character provides a mnemonic on its own: the sun (日) dries out (干) the land, leading to a drought (旱).

木

mù = mu + Ø4

(bound form) tree / (bound form) wood / unresponsive; numb; wooden

木 = 八 + 十 : Mnemonic symbol: a Christmas tree.

Malte Monkey (mu) is setting up a Christmas tree (木) in the bathroom of the space station (Ø4). He decorates the tree with eight-balls (八) and puts a holy cross (十) at the top of the tree.