Legends and Fables from Around The World

The Kusu Legend

Filed under: Singapore Teo @ 9:46 am Over a hundred and fifty years ago there lived in the village which is now Singapore, two holy men. One was an Arab named Dato Syed Rahman, and the other was a Chinese named Yam. These holy men spent most of their time praying and fasting, but soon they found the village too noisy. And so one day Yam said to his friend, Syam, there is an island near here where we could go for some peace and quiet. Thats a wonderful idea, said Syed. But how do we get there? Thats easy. We hire a boat, said Yam, and that is what they did. Their boat was very simple, and they took nothing to eat or drink. God took Yam and Syed Rahman to the island safely and when they got there, they each went a different way to pray and fast. Yam walked up the hill, and Syed stayed near the sea. For two days, the men prayed without having anything to eat or drink. Then Yam began to feel sick. At first he tried to hid his illness from his friend, but soon his throat began to feel as if it were on fire, and his lips grew dry and cracked. Yam went to where his friend was praying. Syed, he called Syed. Yam, said Syed, you look weak. He felt his friends forehead. Why, you are burning up with fever. Syed made a place for Yam to rest, and while Yam slept, he prayed. After praying for some time, Syed shook him by the shoulder. Wake up, Yam. he said. Walk to the boat now. I think youll find all you need there.

Yam walked to the boat, and when he got there he found food and a jar of cool fresh water. He ate and drank, then went back to Syed and told him what happened. God is merciful, said Syed. Now we must go on with our prayers. Yam went back to the hill-top while Syed stayed by the sea. They prayed and fasted for several more days before returning to their homes. After that, the two holy men often went to the island to pray, and many years later first one, then the other, died on the island. Syed Rahmans mother, Cik Galib, and his sister, Cik Sharifah Fatimah, were both very religious women, andwhen they died, their bodies were also brought to the island and buried there. Later a Chinese temple for Tuah Peh Kong, the God of Prosperity, was built on this same island. Today, thousands of people visit Kusu Island each year. They come to honour the two holy men, Yam and Dato Syed Rahman, who first went there. Leave a Comment

October 9, 2007

Mat Jambol and The Turtles

Filed under: Singapore Teo @ 10:23 am One day, while Mat Jambol was out fishing, a large wave smashed into his boat. Mat Jambol hit his head against the side of the boat and fell into the water. When he awoke, he found himself being helped by two turtles. The larger one help him up by swimming under him, and the smaller one bit him gently from time to time to keep him awake. Together, the turtles brought him to the shore near his village. When Mat Jambol told his friends what had happened, none of them believed him. They thought he would come to his senses when his wound healed, but Mat Jambol just smiled to himself. A few weeks later, a terrible storm came to the island. The wind blew, and it rained very hard for several days. During the storm, Mat Jambol stayed inside his house and repaired his nets. When the rain stopped, he went out to look at the sea. The beach was covered with turtles! There were turtles from one end of the beach to the other. They were very large and had strange markings on their grey shells. A little boy came running up the beach to Mat Jambol. Mat Jambol, he said, look at the turtles! What kind are they? What are they doing? Where did they come from?

Mat Jambol smiled. You ask so many questions, he said. These are leatherback turtles. They usually go to Dungun in Trengganu to lay their eggs, but perhaps, because of the storm, they have come here instead. Just think, they have come all the way from the Indian Ocean. Soon everyone in the village had come to watch the turtles lay their eggs. The turtles dug holes in the sand and laid their eggs in the holes. Why dont we dance on the turtles for good luck? said one village woman. Mat Jambol laughed. Thats just an old wives tale, he said. Besides, you might hurt the turtles. Soon the turtles had finished laying their eggs. They covered the eggs with sand and then went back into the sea. Mat Jambol called the little boy. We must protect the turtle eggs, he said. Tell the other children to help you look after them so that dogs and snakes dont eat them. After that, the village children guarded the turtless eggs and soon the day came when the eggs began to hatch. Mat Jambol and the villagers helped the baby turtles out of their shells. They carefully put them in the water. As the baby turtles swam away, Mat Jambol smiled. He was thinking of the two turtles which had saved his life. Leave a Comment

Mat Jambol and The Tiger

Filed under: Singapore Teo @ 10:02 am One day, as Mat Jambol was mending his fishing nets, he saw a man running across the field towards him. Mat, come quickly, cried the man. A tiger has eaten my chickens and killed my goat. Mat Jambol ran back across the field with the farmer. When they got to the farmers house, he looked carefully at the ground. The tigers track led to a small clearing in the forest not far from the farm. In the grass were chicken feathers and some bones. The tiger brought your goat and chickens here to eat them, said Mat Jambol. I will build a trap for him.

Cutting some bamboo, Mat Jambol made long sharp stakes. These pushed into the ground under a tree near the farmers house. When the bamboo stakes were pushed firmly into the ground, Mat Jambol covered them with some green leaves, tree branches and grass. Then he hung a dead goat from the tree. He covered the goats body with oil and then walked home across the field. That night, the moon was full and the hungry tiger came to the farm to look for food. As soon as he reached the farmyard he smelled the goat. That stupid farmer has left his food outside, thought the tiger as he followed the scent of the goat. The farmer and his family were looking through the cracks of their house, watching the tiger in the moonlight. Suddenly the tiger leapt at the goat hanging from the tree. His orange and black body gleamed in the moonlight, for he was a very handsome tiger. The tiger caught the goat between his paws, and for a moment, it looked as if the farmer would lose another goat. But the goats body was slippery, so slippery that even the tiger couldnt hold it. With a roar the tiger slid to the ground, and there he fell on Mat Jambols sharp bamboo stakes. The stakes went right through the tigers body. He died with a terrible scream. The farmer and his family ran out of their house to look at the tiger. Thanks to Mat Jambol, he wont bother us again, said the farmer. The following day, Mat Jambol helped the farmer throw the tigers body into the sea. We must repay you for this kindness, said the farmer. Why dont you come to dinner tonight? Ive got to repair my nets, said Mat Jambol. Maybe some other time. But remember, you dont owe me anything. Im always happy to help a friend. The farmer went home, happy that his chickens and goats would be safe, and happy that he had such a clever friend as Mat Jambol. Leave a Comment

The City of the Lion

Filed under: Singapore Teo @ 2:27 am Hundreds of years ago there was a powerful king called Sang Nila Utama. He lived in Palembang in southern Sumatra and ruled the kingdoms of the Sri Vijaya Empire.

One day, the king decided to travel to the island of Bentang. When the ships were ready, he and his followers set out. While they were at sea a fierce storm blew up; the wind howled and the sea became very rough. Your Majesty, it is dangerous to travel in such weather, said the captain of Sang Nila Utamas ship. Tumasik island is nearby, and we could stay there until the storm is over. The king agreed, and so the ships left the stormy sea and sailed into the safe and quiet harbour of Tumasik. Since we are here, we should have a look around, said the king. Sang Nila Utama and his followers then left their ships to explore the island. It was heavily wooded and had many beautiful flowers. As the men walked further from the sea, Sang Nila Utama suddenly saw a fine large animal! Its body was as red as the sunset; its head was black, and its breast was snowy white. Larger than a goat, the animal moved quickly and soon disappeared into the dark forest. What was that? asked the king. I have never seen such a strange and wonderful animal. Its a lion, replied one of his followers. If the animals here as as fine and as fierce as lions, this would be a good place to start a new kingdom, said the king. I agree, said a prince, but I think we should re-name the island to mark your visit. Good idea, said Sang Nila Utama. I think we should call it Singapura, City of Lion. Leave a Comment

June 12, 2007

Tattercoats
Filed under: England Teo @ 2:31 am In a great Palace by the sea there once dwelt a very rich old lord, who had neither wife nor children living, only one little granddaughter, whose face he had never seen in all her life. He hated her bitterly, because at her birth his favorite daughter died; and when the old nurse brought him the baby, he swore, that it might live or die as it liked, but he would never look on its face as long as it lived. So he turned his back, and sat by his window looking out over the sea, and weeping great tears for his lost daughter, till his white hair and beard grew down over his shoulders and twined round his chair and

crept into the chinks of the floor, and his tears, dropping on to the window-ledge, wore a channel through the stone, and ran away in a little river to the great sea. And, meanwhile, his granddaughter grew up with no one to care for her, or clothe her; only the old nurse, when no one was by, would sometimes give her a dish of scraps from the kitchen, or a torn petticoat from the rag-bag; while the other servants of the Palace would drive her from the house with blows and mocking words, calling her Tattercoats, and pointing at her bare feet and shoulders, till she ran away crying, to hide among the bushes. And so she grew up, with little to eat or wear, spending her days in the fields and lanes, with only the gooseherd for a companion, who would play to her so merrily on his little pipe, when she was hungry, or cold, or tired, that she forgot all her troubles, and fell to dancing, with his flock of noisy geese for partners. But, one day, people told each other that the King was travelling through the land, and in the town near by was to give a great ball, to all the lords and ladies of the country, when the Prince, his only son, was to choose a wife. One of the royal invitations was brought to the Palace by the sea, and the servants carried it up to the old lord who still sat by his window, wrapped in his long white hair and weeping into the little river that was fed by his tears. But when he heard the Kings command, he dried his eyes and bade them bring shears to cut him loose, for his hair had bound him a fast prisoner and he could not move. And then he sent them for rich clothes, and jewels, which he put on; and he ordered them to saddle the white horse, with gold and silk, that he might ride to meet the King. Meanwhile Tattercoats had heard of the great doings in the town, and she sat by the kitchen-door weeping because she could not go to see them. And when the old nurse heard her crying she went to the Lord of the Palace, and begged him to take his granddaughter with him to the Kings ball. But he only frowned and told her to be silent, while the servants laughed and said: Tattercoats is happy in her rags, playing with the gooseherd, let her beit is all she is fit for. A second, and then a third time, the old nurse begged him to let the girl go with him, but she was answered only by black looks and fierce words, till she was driven from the room by the jeering servants, with blows and mocking words.

Weeping over her ill-success, the old nurse went to look for Tattercoats; but the girl had been turned from the door by the cook, and had run away to tell her friend the gooseherd, how unhappy she was because she could not go to the Kings ball. But when the gooseherd had listened to her story, he bade her cheer up, and proposed that they should go together into the town to see the King, and all the fine things; and when she looked sorrowfully down at her rags and bare feet, he played a note or two upon his pipe, so gay and merry, that she forgot all about her tears and her troubles, and before she well knew, the herdboy had taken her by the hand, and she, and he, and the geese before them, were dancing down the road towards the town. Before they had gone very far, a handsome young man, splendidly dressed, rode up and stopped to ask the way to the castle where the King was staying; and when he found that they too were going thither, he got off his horse and walked beside them along the road. The herdboy pulled out his pipe and played a low sweet tune, and the stranger looked again and again at Tattercoats lovely face till he fell deeply in love with her, and begged her to marry him. But she only laughed, and shook her golden head. You would be finely put to shame if you had a goosegirl for your wife! said she; go and ask one of the great ladies you will see to-night at the Kings ball, and do not flout poor Tattercoats. But the more she refused him the sweeter the pipe played, and the deeper the young man fell in love; till at last he begged her, as a proof of his sincerity, to come that night at twelve to the Kings ball, just as she was, with the herdboy and his geese, and in her torn petticoat and bare feet, and he would dance with her before the King and the lords and ladies, and present her to them all, as his dear and honoured bride. So when night came, and the hall in the castle was full of light and music, and the lords and ladies were dancing before the King, just as the clock struck twelve, Tattercoats and the herdboy, followed by his flock of noisy geese, entered at the great doors, and walked straight up the ball-room, while on either side the ladies whispered, the lords laughed, and the King seated at the far end stared in amazement. But as they came in front of the throne, Tattercoats lover rose from beside the King, and came to meet her. Taking her by the hand, he kissed her thrice before them all, and turned to the King. Father! he said, for it was the Prince himself, I have made my choice, and here is my bride, the loveliest girl in all the land, and the sweetest as well!

Before he had finished speaking, the herdboy put his pipe to his lips and played a few low notes that sounded like a bird singing far off in the woods; and as he played, Tattercoats rags were changed to shining robes sewn with glittering jewels, a golden crown lay upon her golden hair, and the flock of geese behind her, became a crowd of dainty pages, bearing her long train. And as the King rose to greet her as his daughter, the trumpets sounded loudly in honor of the new Princess, and the people outside in the street said to each other: Ah! now the Prince has chosen for his wife the loveliest girl in all the land! But the gooseherd was never seen again, and no one knew what became of him; while the old lord went home once more to his Palace by the sea, for he could not stay at Court, when he had sworn never to look on his granddaughters face. So there he still sits by his window, if you could only see him, as you some day may, weeping more bitterly than ever, as he looks out over the sea. Leave a Comment

The Mermaid of Zennor

Filed under: England Teo @ 2:27 am The village of Zennor lies upon the windward coast of Cornwall. The houses cling to the hillside as if hung there by the wind. Waves still lick the ledges in the coves, and a few fishermen still set out to sea in their boats. In times past, the sea was both the beginning and the end for the folk of Zennor. It gave them fish for food and fish for sale, and made a wavy road to row from town to town. Hours were reckoned not by clocks but by the ebb and flow of the tide, and months and years ticked off by the herring runs. The sea took from them, too, and often wild, sudden storms would rise. Then fish and fisherman alike would be lost to an angry sea. At the end of a good day, when the sea was calm and each boat had returned with its share of fish safely stowed in the hold, the people of Zennor would go up the path to the old church and give thanks. They would pray for a fine catch on the morrow, too. The choir would sing, and after the closing hymn the families would go Now, in the choir that sang at Evensong there was a most handsome lad named Mathew Trewella. Not only was Mathew handsome to the eyes, his singing was sweet to the ears as well. His voice pealed out

louder than the church bells, and each note rang clear and true. It was always Mathew who sang the closing hymn. Early one evening, when all the fishing boats bobbed at anchor, and all the fisher families were in church and all the birds at nest, and even the waves rested themselves and came quietly to shore, something moved softly in the twilight. The waves parted without a sound, and, from deep beneath them, some creature rose and climbed out onto a rock, there in the cove of Zennor. It was both a sea creature and a she-creature. For, though it seemed to be a girl, where the girls legs should have been was the long and silver-shiny tail of a fish. It was a mermaid, one of the daughters of Llyr, king of the ocean, and her name was Morveren. Morveren sat upon the rock and looked at herself in the quiet water, and then combed all the little crabs and seashells from her long, long hair. As she combed, she listened to the murmur of the waves and wind. And borne on the wind was Mathews singing. What breeze is there that blows such a song? wondered Morveren. But then the wind died, and Mathews song with it. The sun disappeared, and Morveren slipped back beneath the water to her home. The next evening she came again. But not to the rock. This time she swam closer to shore, the better to hear. And once more Mathews voice carried out to sea, and Morveren listened. What bird sings so sweet? she asked, and she looked all about. But darkness had come, and her eyes saw only shadows. The next day Morveren came even earlier, and boldly. She floated right up by the fishermens boats. And when she heard Mathews voice, she called, What reed is there that pipes such music? There was no answer save the swishing of the water round the skiffs. Morveren would and must know more about the singing. So she pulled herself up on the shore itself. From there she could see the church and hear the music pouring from its open doors. Nothing would do then but she must peek in and learn for herself who sang so sweetly. Still, she did not go at once. For, looking behind her, she saw that the tide had begun to ebb and the water pull back from the shore. And she knew that she must go back, too, or be left stranded on the sand like a fish out of water. So she dived down beneath the waves, down to the dark sea cave where she lived with her father the king. And there she told Llyr what she had heard.

Llyr was so old he appeared to be carved of driftwood, and his hair floated out tangled and green, like seaweed. At Morverens words, he shook that massive head from side to side. To hear is enough, my child. To see is too much. I must go, Father, she pleaded, for the music is magic. Nay, he answered. The music is man-made, and it comes from a mans mouth. We people of the sea do not walk on the land of men. A tear, larger than an ocean pearl, fell from Morverens eye. Then surely I may die from the wanting down here. Llyr sighed, and his sigh was like the rumbling of giant waves upon the rocks; for a mermaid to cry was a thing unheard of and it troubled the old sea king greatly. Go, then, he said at last, but go with care. Cover your tail with a dress, such as their women wear. Go quietly, and make sure that none shall see you. And return by high tide, or you may not return at all. I shall take care, Father! cried Morveren, excited. No one shall snare me like a herring! Llyr gave her a beautiful dress crusted with pearls and sea jade and coral and other ocean jewels. It covered her tail, and she covered her shining hair with a net, and so disguised she set out for the church and the land of men. Slippery scales and fishs tail are not made for walking, and it was difficult for Morveren to get up the path to the church. Nor was she used to the dress of an earth woman dragging behind. But get there she did, pulling herself forward by grasping on the trees, until she was at the very door of the church. She was just in time for the closing hymn. Some folks were looking down at their hymnbooks and some up at the choir, so, since none had eyes in the backs of their heads, they did not see Morveren. But she saw them, and Mathew as well. He was as handsome as an angel, and when he sang it was like a harp from heaven although Morveren, of course, being a mermaid, knew nothing of either. So each night thereafter, Morveren would dress and come up to the church, to look and to listen, staying but a few minutes and always leaving before the last note faded and in time to catch the swell of high tide. And night by night, month by month, Mathew grew taller and his voice grew deeper and stronger (though Morveren neither grew nor changed, for that is the way of mermaids). And so it went for most of a year, until the evening when Morveren lingered longer than usual. She had heard Mathew sing one

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verse, and then another, and begin a third. Each refrain was lovelier than the one before, and Morveren caught her breath in a sigh. It was just a little sigh, softer than the whisper of a wave. But it was enough for Mathew to hear, and he looked to the back of the church and saw the mermaid. Morverens eyes were shining, and the net had slipped from her head and her hair was wet and gleaming, too. Mathew stopped his singing. He was struck silent by the look of her and by his love for her. For these things will happen. Morveren was frightened. Mathew had seen her, and her father had warned that none must look at her. Besides, the church was warm and dry, and merpeople must be cool and wet. Morveren felt herself shriveling, and turned in haste from the door. Stop! cried Mathew boldly. Wait! And he ran down the aisle of the church and out the door after her. Then all the people turned, startled, and their hymn-books fell from their laps. Morveren tripped, tangled in her dress, and would have fallen had not Mathew reached her side and caught her. Stay! he begged. Whoever ye be, do not leave! Tears, real tears, as salty as the sea itself, rolled down Morverens cheeks. I cannot stay. I am a sea creature, and must go back where I belong. Mathew stared at her and saw the tip of her fish tail poking out from beneath the dress. But that mattered not at all to him. Then I will go with ye. For with ye is where I belong. He picked Morveren up, and she threw her arms about his neck. He hurried down the path with her, toward the oceans edge. And all the people from the church saw this. Mathew, stop! they shouted. Hold back! No! No, Mathew! cried that boys mother. But Mathew was bewitched with love for the mermaid, and ran the faster with her toward the sea.

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Then the fishermen of Zennor gave chase, and all others, too, even Mathews mother. But Mathew was quick and strong and outdistanced them. And Morveren was quick and clever. She tore the pearls and coral from her dress and flung them on the path. The fishermen were greedy, even as men are now, and stopped in their chase to pick up the gems. Only Mathews mother still ran after them. The tide was going out. Great rocks thrust up from the dark water. Already it was too shallow for Morveren to swim. But Mathew plunged ahead into the water, stumbling in to his knees. Quickly his mother caught hold of his fishermans jersey. Still Mathew pushed on, until the sea rose to his waist, and then his shoulders. Then the waters closed over Morveren and Mathew, and his mother was left with only a bit of yarn in her hand, like a fishing line with nothing on it. Never again were Mathew and Morveren seen by the people of Zennor. They had gone to live in the land of Llyr, in golden sand castles built far below the waters in a blue-green world. But the people of Zennor heard Mathew. For he sang to Morveren both day and night, love songs and lullabies. Nor did he sing for her ears only. Mathew learned songs that told of the sea as well. His voice rose up soft and high if the day was to be fair, deep and low if Llyr was going to make the waters boil. From his songs, the fishermen of Zennor knew when it was safe to put to sea, and when it was wise to anchor snug at home. There are some still who find meanings in the voices of the waves and understand the whispers of the winds. These are the ones who say Mathew sings yet, to them that will listen. Leave a Comment

June 5, 2007

The Jeweled Sea

Filed under: China Teo @ 8:11 am Long, long ago, a little Chinese boy named Kwang-Su lived in the city of Yo-chan with his father and mother, who loved him very much. Now, Chinese mothers and fathers will take every care to protect their children from the power of evil Genii, or spirits. There were a great many evil Genii in China at that time, a little Kwang-Sus mother was very careful to protect him as best she could. It is well known that a wicked Genii will not come near a Chinese boy if some red silk is braided in with his pigtail, or if he wears a silver chain around his neck; and every wicked Genii has a great dread of old fishing nets, as well.

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So Kwang-Sus mother made him a little shirt out of an old fishing net to wear next his skin, and she took good care that his pigtail should be plaited with the brightest red silk that money could buy. There is a great deal in having the head shaved in just the right way, too, and it is best to have a little tuft of hair sticking up in the luckiest place, as well. All these things were done for Kwang-Su, and so he passed safely through the troubles of his babyhood and grew from a little boy into a bi one, and from a boy to a tall and handsome youth. At this time he left off wearing his netted shirt although the silver chain still hung around his neck, and you may be very sure there was red silk braided into his pigtail. One day Kwang-Sus father said, It is time that the boy saw a little more of the world. He must go to Yun-nan and study under the wise men there and find out the things that he should know. Yun-nan was a very great city indeed, and Shun-Che, the master to whom Kwang-Su was sent, was the wisest man in it. Under this teacher Kwang-Su learned what the wise men of the world were thinking about, and many other things besides. When he was eighteen years old he took the red silk out of his pigtail and the silver chain from his neck, for grown-up people do not need such charms to protect themselves from the Genii. When Kwang-Su was twenty years old, Shun-Che told him he could not teach him any more. It is time for you to go back to your parents and com- fort them in their old age, he told him; and he was very sorry as he said it, for Kwang-Su was his favorite pupil. I will do as you bid me, replied Kwang-Su, obediently. I will start tomorrow, and I will leave the city by the Golden Bridge. You must not leave by the Golden Bridge, said Shun-Che, you must go by the Indigo Bridge, for there you will meet your future wife. But I have not been thinking of a wife at all, said Kwang-Su. All the better, said Shun-Che as he wrinkled up his eyes, and laughed, because when you have once seen her, you will be able to think of nothing else. In the morning Kwang-Su was sleepy and did not start on his journey as early as he should have done, but he had studied very hard the night before, and so fell asleep just before sunrise and slept through the coolest hours of the day.

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When he did awake the sun was blazing down upon the streets of Yun-nan, and making the town like a furnace. Kwang-Su set off with his stick in his hand, however, for he had promised to start that day. He said to himself: I will rest a little at the Indigo Bridge, and walk on again in the cool of the evening. But when he reached the bridge he was so tired that he fell asleep again, and while he slept he dreamed that a tall and beautiful maiden appeared to him, and showed him her right foot around which a red cord was bound. Kwang-Su could hardly take his eyes from her face to look at her foot, but at last he asked, What is the meaning of it? And the girl replied, What is the meaning of the red cord around your foot, too? Kwang-Su looked down at his right foot. Sure enough, his foot and the girls foot were tied together by the same thin red cord; and by this he knew that she must be his future wife. Then he said to the girl, I have heard my mother say that when a boy is born the Fairy of the Moon ties an invisible red cord around his right foot, and the other end of the cord around the foot of the girl-baby whom he is to marry. And the girl replied, That is true, and this is an invisible cord to people who are awake. Now I am going to tell you my name and you must remember it when you hear it again, It is Ling-Ling. Then Kwang-Su began to say, And I will tell you mine, but Ling-Ling stopped him, smiling. Ah, I know yours and all about you, she said. Kwang-Su was very much surprised at this, but he need not have been, for every one in Yun-nan knew him to be the handsomest and wisest and best-loved pupil the wise Shun-Che had ever taught. Ling-Ling lived quite close to the city, and had often seen Kwang-Su walking through the streets with his books. When Kwang-Su awoke he found as the girl had said, that there was no red cord around his foot, and no fair maiden, either. I wonder if she is real, or only a dream-maiden, after all, he said to himself. And then he went on his way, thinking of Ling-Ling all the time. After a while he grew so thirsty that he stopped at a little house by the road-side, and asked an old woman who was sitting in the doorway to give him a drink. The woman called to her daughter to fill their best cup with fresh spring water and bring it out to the stranger; and when the daughter appeared it was Ling-Ling herself! Oh! cried Kwang-Su, I thought perhaps I should never see you again, and here I have found you so soon.

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Then the girl laughingly asked, And what is my name ? It is Ling-Ling, replied Kwang-Su, Ling-LingLing-Ling, he repeated, just as he had been saying it all the time as he walked along. Ling-Ling stood in the door of the little house, with a peach tree in full bloom over her head. She was dressed in white, but her over-dress was bright blue, embroidered with beautiful flowers which she had worked herself, and she made such a picture of youth and loveliness that Kwang-Su was completely bewildered. How do you come to know Ling-Ling? asked the old woman. Who are you? she added, peering and blinking at him, with her hand over her eyes to shade them from the sun. Now, the old woman knew something of magic, and had given Ling-Ling the power of stepping in and out of peoples dreams just as she chose, but when she came to hear of Kwang-Sus dream, and the red cord, and that Kwang-Su wanted to marry her daughter, she did not look at all pleased. Kwang-Su was not a bad match at all, for his parents were well off, and he was their only child, but the old woman only grumbled, If I had two daughters, you might have one of them and welcome. The truth of the matter was that Ling-Ling was a very pretty girl, and a mandarin in Yun-nan was anxious to make her his wife. Her mother ex- plained this to Kwang-Su. He is four times her age, it is true, she said, but he is very rich. All his dishes and plates are gold, and they say his drinking cups are gold, set with diamonds. I dont want to marry him, said Ling-Ling. He is old and wrinkled, like a little brown monkey. And, besides, the Fairy of the Moon didnt tie my foot to his. That is very true, sighed her mother. She would have liked to tell Kwang-Su to go about his business, but she knew if the red cord really had been tied between his foot and Ling-Lings it would not be safe to do it. It does not do to meddle with such matters. So the old woman invited Kwang-Su into the house. Come in, she said, and Ill see what I can promise. The inside of the house was fra- grant with the scent of herbs, which were strewn all over the floor, and on a wooden stool in the middle of the room lay a broken pestle atld mortar. On this stool, said the old woman, I pound magic drugs given to me by the Genii; but my pestle and mortar is broken. I want a new one. I will buy you one in Yun-nan, replied Kwang-Su.

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That will not do at all, for it is a pestle and mortar of jade, and you can only get one like it by going to the home of the Genii which is on a mountain above the Jeweled Sea. If you will do that, and bring it back to me, you shall marry Ling-Ling. I will do it, said Kwang-Su, but I must see my parents first. He had not the least idea where the home of the Genii was; but Ling-Ling took him out into the garden, and showed him in the far distance a range of snow-capped mountains, with one pea towering above the rest. That is where the Genii live, she said. Up there on Mount Fumi, where they can sit on the snow and looked down at the Jeweled Sea. Then she went on: But to reach Mount Fumi, you must cross the Blue River, the White River, the Red River and the Black River, which are all full of monstrous fishes. That is why my mother is sending you, sighed Ling-Ling. She thinks you will never come back alive. Fishes dont frighten me, said Kwang-Su, and I know how to swim. But you must promise me you wont try to swim, insisted Ling-Ling. You would be devoured in a moment. Take this box with you. In it are six red seeds. Throw one in each river as you come to it, and it will shrink to a little brook, over which you can jump. So Kwang-Su looked at the six round seeds, each about the size of a pea, and agreed to use them as Ling-Ling directed. Then he kissed her, and set out on his journey. On his way he passed through YoChan, where his parents lived, so he went to see them and told them all that had happened since he left home. Kwang-Sus mother was a very wise woman, as mothers generally are, and she told him the Genii would be angry if he turned their four great rivers into brooks, and would probably refuse to give him a pestle and mortar made of jade. Kwang Su said he had never thought of that. It need not trouble you, though, said his mother, for I will give you a box containing six white seeds. All you have to do is to cast one into each brook when you have crossed it on your way home, and the brook will become a river again. In the morning Kwang-Su kissed his mother and went on his way. He rested during the mid-day heat, and continued his journey when it grew cool again; and in this way at the end of seven days he came to the Blue River.

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This river was a quarter of a mile wide, and as blue as midsummer skies, and fishes were popping their heads out of the water in every direction. The head of every fish was twice as large as a football, and had two rows of teeth. But Kwang-Su threw a red seed into the waters which were lapping the shore, and in a moment, instead of a wide blue river, a little brook lay at his feet. The huge fishes were changed into tiny creatures like tadpoles, and he hopped across the brook on one foot. Not long afterwards he came to the White River which was half a mile wide, so rapid that it was covered with foam, and full of immense sea serpents. I shant be able to hop over this on one foot, thought Kwang-Su, throwing one of his red seeds into the water. But to his surprise the White River shrank, as rapidly as the Blue River had done, into a tiny rippling brook, with some wee, wriggling eels at the bottom. Kwang-Su leaped lightly over it, and walked a long way before he came in sight of the Red River. This was three-quarters of a mile wide, and bright scarlet. It looked like a flood of melted sealing-wax, and a row of alligators with their mouths wide open, stretched right across it like a bridge. Now for my little red seed! cried Kwang-Su, opening his box. Snap! went the jaws of the nearest alligator as the seed struck the water, but he missed it, and the next minute he found himself no bigger than a lizard sitting at the bottom of a stream not half a yard across. On the other side of the river Kwang-Su was met by one of the Genii who had come down from his snowpeak to see who had dared to play such tricks with three mighty rivers. Kwang-Su showed him the round white seeds in his other box. I can make the rivers as large as they were before on my way back, he told the Geni. But first I must find the home of the Genii, and get a pestle and mortar of jade for my future mother-in-law to pound her magic drugs in. To get to it you must first cross the Black River, said the Genii, with rather a scornful laugh. It is a mile wide, and the fishes in it are six yards long, and covered with spikes like porcupines. Would you mind telling me how you get across? asked Kwang-Su. Not at all. I can fly, replied the Genii. And I can jump, retorted Kwang-Su, sturdily.

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So they set out together and in a little while came to the Black Rivera great waste of water, as black as ink, stretching in front of them. Kwang-Sus heart sank a little, but he took out his fourth seed and watched it disappear beneath a coal-black wave. In an instant the river dried up, leaving only a shallow stream running through the grass at their feet. The Genii was much impressed by the wonderful things Kwang-Su seemed able to do, and as he was not altogether a bad-hearted fellow, he offered to show him the nearest way to the home of the Genii on the top of Mount Fumi. After a long and wearisome climb they got up there, and found eight of the Genii sitting on eight snow-peaks and looking down on the Jeweled Sea, as Ling-Ling had said. Kwang-Su could not take his eyes off the Jeweled Sea, for it was a beautiful sheet of water, flashing with all the colors of the rainbow. He forgot all about the pestle and mortar as he watched the waves rippling along the shore, leaving behind them diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and pearls in thousands. Every pebble was a precious stone, and he wanted to go down and fill his pockets with them. So there he stood while the Genii who had been his guide explained to the others why he had come and told them about the wonderful red and white seeds he carried about with him. We must let him have the pestle and mortar, he said, or he wont give us our rivers back again. Then the eight Genii nodded their eight heads, and spoke all at once with a voice which was like the rumble of thunder among the hills. Let him take it if he can carry it, they said. And then they laughed until the snow-peaks shook beneath them, for the mortar made of jade was six feet high and our feet wide, and the pestle was so heavy no mortal could lift it. When Kwang-Su had finished staring at the Jeweled Sea, he walked around the pestle and mortar, and wondered how he was to carry it down the mountain and across the plains to Yun-nan. He sat down beside it to think the matter over, while the Genii laughed at him again. Oh, you can carry it easily enough, they said, and if you wish to fill the mortar with precious stones, you may do so. Any man who can carry it away empty, can carry it away full. Still Kwang-Su sat there with folded arms, and thought, and thought, and paid no attention to their sneers. He had not studied three years with the wisest man in Yun-nan for nothing, and besides, he was determined to marry Ling-Ling. Then all at once the right idea came to him; and he jumped up and asked the friendly Geni if he would make a little heap of stones at one side of the mortar. I want to look inside of it, and I am not tall enough, he said.

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Why dont you do it yourself ? asked the Geni; and Kwang-Su replied, Because I must go down to the Jeweled Sea and collect precious stones. So he ran down to the water and gathered diamonds and rubies and pearls and emeralds and sapphires, as many as he could carry. Again and again he did this, emptying them into the mortar each time, until it was quite full, and held gems enough to make him the richest man in China. You see, the yellow-faced mandarin was only the richest man in Yun-nan, but if Kwang-Su could be the richest man in the whole kingdom he would have a much better chance of marrying Ling-Ling. When Kwang-Su had finished filling the mortar, the Genii said to him, Well, what next? Are you going to take it on your shoulder or on your head? and Kwang-Su replied easily, I will just carry it under my arm! Then he took out his little box and dropped one of the red seeds on top of the gems; and in a mo- ment the pestle and mortar shrank to one of ordinary size! Then Kwang-Su put the pestle in his pocket, and lifting the mortar carefully so as not to spill the precious stones, he made a low bow to the Genii and said, Good-bye, and thank you very much. Then what a roar the Genii set up. It sounded as if thirteen lions were waiting for their dinners. There was no laughing this time, for they were in a rage; but they did not dare to stop him for they knew he had the power to turn the four brooks into four rivers again. On his way back Kwang-Su did exactly as he had promised the Genii. He jumped across the first brook, and threw a white seed into it, and turned it into a terrible inky black waste of waters, a mile wide, full of fishes six yards long, and every fish covered with spikes. The roars of the Genii ceased when they saw the Black River rolling once more between them and the outer world. At the Red River, the White River, and the Blue River, Kwang-Su did the same thing; and from that day to this, no one has been able to find the home of the Genii, because no one but Kwang-Su could ever cross the Blue River, much less the other three. Then for seven days Kwang-Su journeyed on, and came at last to his fathers and mothers home in YoChan. Then he told them all that had happened since he had left them; and for every white seed his mother had given him, he gave her a diamond, a ruby, an emerald, a pearl, a sapphire, and a pink topaz, each as large as a robins egg.

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After that he went on to Yun-nan, and there he found that although he had been away but a month, LingLings mother had told every one that he was dead. Besides this, she had invited all her friends to a wedding feast in honor of her daughters marriage with the yellow-faced mandarin. Luckily the wedding had not taken place when Kwang-Su arrived; but Ling-Ling stood under the peach tree in her wedding dress, which was of pink silk, all embroidered with silver. When she saw Kwang-Su she threw herself into his arms and cried for joy. Kwang-Su put down the mortar while he comforted here, and just then her mother came running out to look at it. You have come too late to marry Ling-Ling, she said, but I will buy the pestle and mortar from you with some of the money the mandarin has given me. Not a bit of it, replied Kwang-Su. And then he dropped one of his white seeds into the mortar, which at once increased in size until it filled the plot of grass under the peach tree, and was full to the top with glittering jewels. The next thing Kwang-Su did was to climb onto one of the branches above them, and from there he threw down among the wedding guests rubies and diamonds and all kinds of precious stones. The busiest one among the guests was the yellow-faced mandarin. One cannot have too much of a good thing, he chuckled as he picked up the glittering gems. Just look at him! cried the others indignantly. Just see him scramble, as though he had no drinking cups set with diamonds! Then Kwang-Su offered him three rubies, each as large as a hens egg, if he would go away and say nothing about marriage to Ling-Ling ever again. So the yellow-faced mandarin took the rubies and went away. Perhaps he knew that he had no chance against a lover who scattered jewels about as though they were pebbles; and perhaps he preferred the three great rubies to Ling-Ling. When the yellow-faced mandarin was gone, Kwang-Su and Ling-Ling were married; and in the city where his father and mother lived they were as happy as two young people deserve to be when they love each other very dearly. Leave a Comment

The Superior Pet

Filed under: China Teo @ 8:06 am

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Once there was a family that lost all its money. They had to sell their big house and all their fields, but the parents could not forget they had once been rich, and they did not let their daughter forget either. Out of all their vast wealth, they managed to keep only a silver ear scoop. It was a slender silver spoon about five inches long. People put it into their ears to take out the wax. Its a silly enough thing, her father used to say, but from it well rebuild the family fortune somehow. When the daughter grew old enough to marry, no rich family wanted her with only an ear scoop for a dowry, and her parents thought poor farmers were beneath her. When her parents died, no one wanted her. She lived with other unmarried women in a house that the clan provided, but it was very crowded. She lived there many years. Although she sewed from sunrise to sunset, she was still very poor. As she got older, her eyes got worse. Soon, she could not sew the fine stitches she once had. As a result, even though she worked just as hard as before, she got less money. Eventually, she could no longer pay her share of the food and other costs. Why dont you sell that old ear scoop? the other women would ask her. Its all I have from my parents, the old woman said indignantly. Because she had been in the house so long, she had a nice spot in a corner, but the other women wanted her to move to another place. You cant pay your share and yet you take up all that space, the other women complained. They found dozens of little ways to be unpleasant. Among other things, she always had to be last even to use the wash water. They would give her only the stringiest vegetables and the weakest tea. And they always served her rice scraped from the bottom, which was hard and crunchy and difficult for the old womans teeth to chew. One day, a younger cousin caught a mouse. But in catching it, she had injured one of its feet. Look at this thing. Its all white. That proves it must be a superior mouse, the old woman said. Theres not another like it in the district. The pest is probably a superior eater too, her cousin said. Im not going to have it nibbling at our food and clothes.

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But the mouse looked so small and fragile and helpless that the old woman knew it needed her. She had never had anyone to love, and, as such things go, her heart fixed on the mouse. A superior mouse will make a superior pet, she thought to herself. And out loud she said, Give it to me. Ill get rid of it. Her cousin was glad to give the unpleasant task to the old woman. Here then. But the old woman did not kill the mouse. Instead, she kept it in a little box. She made a soft nest for it out of scraps of cloth. She even went hungry so she could save some of her rice for her superior pet. In time, the mouses foot healed. One day, though, her cousin found the mouse. You old liar. You kept that filthy little thing. She was going to throw the box down the well, but the old woman grabbed it from her. This is mine. Its a superior mouse. Youve gone too far this time. Beggars cant act like empresses, her cousin said. She called all the other women around her. Naturally, they took the cousins side. The old woman clutched the box to her and looked at the circle of hard, stern faces. She saw no mercy there. Ill go, she said in a small voice. Her cousin was surprised. Youve never been away from the village in your life. Then Ill learn. The old woman packed her few belongings quickly including the ear scoop. Then she left the house where she had lived all those years. I should be afraid, she thought to herself, but I feel years younger. She gave a little skip as she walked away from her village and up into the hills. She looked for roots and plants for herself and her mouse. But it was autumn, and the villagers had already stripped the hills bare looking for fuel. It was cold that night, and the old woman kept the box against her stomach to keep her pet warm. The next day she wandered even farther. But she still found nothing to eat. Finally, she came to a wall that paralleled the road. Beyond the wall lay only a few old moss-covered stones and bushes. Her feet ached with the cold and exertion, so she sat down with her back against the wall. On her lap she set out the box with her superior mouse. Then she opened the lid so it could breathe. Then she took out

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the silver ear scoop and held it in front of her pet. Well have to sell this. But the money wont last forever. And then what will we do? But the ear scoop dropped from her nervous fingers and fell into the weeds. Now Ill have to clean it. As she bent to get it, the white mouse leaped from her lap and onto the ground. Snatching up the spoon between its teeth, the mouse scurried to the wall. Desperately the old woman tried to grab the mouse, but it vanished through a crack in the wall. You ungrateful little thief, the old woman said. I gave up everything for you. Is this how you repay me? Anger made her forget that she was cold and tired. She dug and tore at the crumbling old bricks, and when her fingers began to bleed, she picked up a sharp stick instead and began to pry them out. She pulled brick after brick away from the wall, and still there was no sign of the furry bandit. When she lifted the final brick from the spot, the last of the sunlight winked off something. Hardly daring to breathe, she dug into the dirt itself. There, buried in the earth was a large golden vase. She scrabbled even deeper and found more objects of gold and silver. And beneath them was a pile of emeralds and rubies and pearls. And right in the middle of the pile of jewels was her silver ear scoop. The superior mouse had repaid her kindness before it had gone on its way. And in certain parts of China, the farm folk still think that white mice bring good luck. Leave a Comment

We Are All One

Filed under: China Teo @ 7:52 am Long ago there was a rich man with a disease in his eyes. For many years, the pain was so great that he could not sleep at night. He saw every doctor he could, but none of them could help him. What good is all my money? he groaned. Finally, he became so desperate that he sent criers through the city offering a reward to anyone who could cure him. Now in that city lived an old candy peddler. He would walk around with his baskets of candy, but he was so kind-hearted that he gave away as much as he sold, so he was always poor.

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When the old peddler heard the announcement, he remembered something his mother had said. She had once told him about a magical herb that was good for the eyes. So he packed up his baskets and went back to the single tiny room in which his family lived. When he told his plan to his wife, she scolded him, If you go off on this crazy hunt, how are we supposed to eat? Usually the peddler gave in to his wife, but this time he was stubborn. There are two baskets of candy, he said. Ill be back before theyre gone. The next morning, as soon as the soldiers opened the gates, he was the first one to leave the city. He did not stop until he was deep inside the woods. As a boy, he had often wandered there. He had liked to pretend that the shadowy forest was a green sea and he was a fish slipping through the cool waters. As he examined the ground, he noticed ants scurrying about. On their backs were larvae like white grains of rice. A rock had fallen into a stream, so the water now spilled into the ants nest. Were all one, the kind-hearted peddler said. So he waded into the shallow stream and put the rock on the bank. Then with a sharp stick, he dug a shallow ditch that sent the rest of the water back into the stream. Without another thought about his good deed, he began to search through the forest. He looked everywhere; but as the day went on, he grew sleepy. Ho-hum. I got up too early. Ill take just a short nap, he decided, and lay down in the shade of an old tree, where he fell right asleep. In his dreams, the old peddler found himself standing in the middle of a great city. Tall buildings rose high overhead. He couldnt see the sky even when he tilted back his head. An escort of soldiers marched up to him with a loud clatter of their black lacquer armor. Our queen wishes to see you, the captain said. The frightened peddler could only obey and let the fierce soldiers lead him into a shining palace. There, a woman with a high crown sat upon a tall throne. Trembling, the old peddler fell to his knees and touched his forehead against the floor. But the queen ordered him to stand. Like the great Emperor Yu of long ago, you tamed the great flood. We are all one now. You have only to ask, and I or any of my people will come to your aid. The old peddler cleared his throat. I am looking for a certain herb. It will cure any disease of the eyes.

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The queen shook her head regretfully. I have never heard of that herb. But you will surely find it if you keep looking for it. And then the old peddler woke. Sitting up, he saw that in his wanderings he had come back to the ants nest. It was there he had taken his nap. His dream city had been the ants nest itself. This is a good omen, he said to himself, and he began searching even harder. He was so determined to find the herb that he did not notice how time had passed. He was surprised when he saw how the light was fading. He looked all around then. There was no sight of his city only strange hills. He realized then that he had searched so far he had gotten lost. Night was coming fast and with it the cold. He rubbed his arms and hunted for shelter. In the twilight, he thought he could see the green tiles of a roof. He stumbled through the growing darkness until he reached a ruined temple. Weeds grew through cracks in the stones and most of the roof itself had fallen in. Still, the ruins would provide some protection. As he started inside, he saw a centipede with bright orange skin and red tufts of fur along its back. Yellow dots covered its sides like a dozen tiny eyes. It was also rushing into the temple as fast as it could, but there was a bird swooping down toward it. The old peddler waved his arms and shouted, scaring the bird away. Then he put down his palm in front of the insect. We are all one, you and I. The many feet tickled his skin as the centipede climbed onto his hand. Inside the temple, he gathered dried leaves and found old sticks of wood and soon he had a fire going. The peddler even picked some fresh leaves for the centipede from a bush near the temple doorway. I may have to go hungry, but you dont have to, friend. Stretching out beside the fire, the old peddler pillowed his head on his arms. He was so tired that he soon fell asleep, but even in his sleep he dreamed he was still searching in the woods. Suddenly he thought he heard footsteps near his head. He woke instantly and looked about, but he only saw the brightly colored centipede. Was it you, friend? The old peddler chuckled and, lying down, he closed his eyes again. I must be getting nervous.

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We are one, you and I, a voice said faintly as if from a long distance. If you go south, you will find a pine tree with two trunks. By its roots, you will find a magic bead. A cousin of mine spat on it years ago. Dissolve that bead in wine and tell the rich man to drink it if he wants to heal his eyes. The old peddler trembled when he heard the voice, because he realized that the centipede was magical. He wanted to run from the temple, but he couldnt even get up. It was as if he were glued to the floor. But then the old peddler reasoned with himself: If the centipede had wanted to hurt me, it could have long ago. Instead, it seems to want to help me. So the old peddler stayed where he was, but he did not dare open his eyes. When the first sunlight fell through the roof, he raised one eyelid cautiously. There was no sign of the centipede. He sat up and looked around, but the magical centipede was gone. He followed the centipedes instructions when he left the temple. Traveling south, he kept a sharp eye out for the pine tree with two trunks. He walked until late in the afternoon, but all he saw were normal pine trees. Wearily he sat down and sighed. Even if he found the pine tree, he couldnt be sure that he would find the bead. Someone else might even have discovered it a long time ago. But something made him look a little longer. Just when he was thinking about turning back, he saw the odd tree. Somehow his tired legs managed to carry him over to the tree, and he got down on his knees. But the ground was covered with pine needles and his old eyes were too weak. The old peddler could have wept with frustration, and then he remembered the ants. He began to call, Ants, ants, we are all one. Almost immediately, thousands of ants came boiling out of nowhere. Delighted, the old man held up his fingers. Im looking for a bead. It might be very tiny. Then, careful not to crush any of his little helpers, the old man sat down to wait. In no time, the ants reappeared with a tiny bead. With trembling fingers, the old man took the bead from them and examined it. It was colored orange and looked as if it had yellow eyes on the sides. There was nothing very special about the bead, but the old peddler treated it like a fine jewel. Putting the bead into his pouch, the old peddler bowed his head. I thank you and I thank your queen, the old man said. After the ants disappeared among the pine needles, he made his way out of the woods. The next day, he reached the house of the rich man. However, he was so poor and ragged that the gatekeeper only laughed at him. How could an old beggar like you help my master?

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The old peddler tried to argue. Beggar or rich man, we are all one. But it so happened that the rich man was passing by the gates. He went over to the old peddler. I said anyone could see me. But itll mean a stick across your back if youre wasting my time. The old peddler took out the pouch. Dissolve this bead in some wine and drink it down. Then, turning the pouch upside down, he shook the tiny bead onto his palm and handed it to the rich man. The rich man immediately called for a cup of wine. Dropping the bead into the wine, he waited a moment and then drank it down. Instantly the pain vanished. Shortly after that, his eyes healed. The rich man was so happy and grateful that he doubled the reward. And the kindly old peddler and his family lived comfortably for the rest of their lives. Leave a Comment

Natural Enemies
Filed under: China Teo @ 7:33 am A long time ago there was an old man who lived in a house down a city alley. High walls hid it from view. He had no family and his only company was a cat and dog. He never went out to work. He didnt even go out to buy food. No one ever visited him. Naturally, everyone was very curious. But one thief was especially curious. One night he snuck into a neighbors courtyard and peeked over the walls. He saw a wonderful garden full of strange stones and waterfalls. In the center of the garden was a house fancy enough for an emperor. The curious thief climbed over the wall and stole through the garden and into the house. The inside of the house was filled with fine furniture and antiques. Finally, he found the old man in the dining room. Tall pillars of red lacquer ran the length of the room. Gold covered the carvings on the sides of the pillars. On the beams of the ceiling were painted different scenes of China. The table and chairs were carved from rare purple woods. The old man sat in one chair with both a cat and a dog balanced on his lap. But there were neither plates of food on the table nor any servants to serve them. The old man smiled at the dog. And what do you want to eat tonight?

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The dog gave a bark and the old man nodded. I thought so. He picked up a long slender ivory wand. The stem curved upward to a carved lotus. As you like it, as I like it, I would like some beef stew. A big golden bowl of beef stew popped into the air above the table and landed with a clank in front of the dog. The smell was delicious, and he happily began to wolf down his food. And what do you want? the old man asked his cat. The cat merely licked her paws. The same as usual, I suppose. The old man wished on the wand, and a big steaming carp appeared before the cat. With a disgusted look at the dog, the cat began to eat daintily. Then the old man wished up his dinner on the wand. There were precious plates of gold encrusted with jewels and bowls carved from solid pieces of jade. But after the old man had drunk his wine, he gave a big yawn. I think its time for bed. He wished the dirty plates all away, and then he and his two pets headed into the bedroom where he lay down on a big four-poster bed covered with silk and pearls. The dog and cat raced for the bed; but though the dog could run faster, the cat could leap higher. She got to the head of the bed first so the dog had to go to the foot. Leave some room for me, the old man laughed. He eased in between his two jealous pets. Soon the three were fast asleep. The thief waited patiently until the old man and his pets had begun to snore. Then he snuck into the room and stole the wand. The next morning, the old man woke and found his wand was missing. He hid his face in his hands and wept. Im ruined. Ruined! And Im too old to go looking for the thief. But then he felt something wet on the backs of his hands and he looked up to see that it was his cat and dog licking him. He put his hand on the dog. Will you be my strong legs and go find him? The dogs big tongue licked his hand again. The old man looked at his cat. Will you be my clever mind and get the wand? And the cats small tongue tickled his other hand. The two loyal pets left the old man. They looked all over China. They lived by their skills and their wits. The dog sniffed around in alleys for things that people threw out. Sometimes, he had to fight the other beggars. But the dog was big and strong so he always won. He always shared his meals with the cat.

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The cat learned how to leap up through kitchen windows and steal food. Often she would eat most of it inside the house. Then she would bring the leftovers to the dog. Eventually, the two animals heard of a rich man who had appeared out of nowhere. A broad, swift river separated them from his house. Youre strong enough to bear me, the cat said. You carry me. But dont dig in your claws, the dog warned and crouched. The cat leaped onto his back, and the dog slipped into the river. The water was so cold and swift that the dog soon grew tired. I cant do it, the dog groaned. Yes, you can, the cat urged. Think of home. Think of hot meals and soft silk. So the dog went on until he climbed out exhausted on the opposite bank. Now for the wand, the cat said. She wasnt tired at all and sped up the hill. Wait for me, the dog called and, shaking himself off, trotted after the cat. But the cat did not want to wait for the big, slow dog. She dashed ahead impatiently. By now she was an expert at sneaking into houses. She crept silently into the villa. When she heard footsteps, she ducked behind a vase. The thief strode by in a robe of silk embroidered with gold. Around his neck hung the wand on a golden chain. But he was not as careless as the old man. Two guards accompanied him at all times. Going outside, the cat just stopped the dog from blundering inside. Well have to use both your strength and my wits to get the wand, she explained. Anything for the master, the dog promised. They waited until the thief went for a walk in his garden. The dog suddenly darted out from under a bush and past the two startled guards and leaped on the thief, knocking him over. Stop him, the thief shouted frantically. The two guards could not use their swords because they might hurt their employer. Instead, they tried to pull the dog away.

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While the dog was fighting for his life, the cat shot in like a small streak of fur. Perching on the rich mans chest, she pressed her paws against the wand. When the thief reached for the wand, the cat bit his hand so he snatched it back. Silently, the cat wished, As you like it, as I like it, I would like to be back home with the wand. As the cat began to fade from sight, the dog barked at her. Wait for me, wait for me. But the cat vanished from sight. The next moment, she was back in the old mans bedroom. The old man lay in a ragged robe on a simple straw mat. He had sold everything else to pay his debts. Through the window, the cat could see that the garden itself had fallen into ruin. Thank Heaven, youve come back, the old man said. I was getting so lonely. I dont care whether you brought back the wand. But the cat picked up the wand in her mouth and brought it over to the old man. Gently she let it drop into the old mans lap. You did bring it back! the old man cried out. You blessed animal. He held out his hand. But wheres our other friend? Didnt he come with you? Or did he get tired and go off on his own? The cat simply looked up at the old man, and the old man reached his own hasty conclusions. While the old man cursed the dog, the cat curled up on his knees. Both the lap and the magic were hers now. The old man wished the thief to his just reward and then restored the house. But he never gave another thought to the dog until months later. Suddenly there was a familiar barking outside the gates. The old man opened them to see his tired, dusty dog. One ear was torn, and he was badly scratched. The old man frowned. Now that the cats made everything right, youve decided to come back. Well, its too late. The cat, fat and sleek, strolled up behind the old man. Tell him, tell him, the dog barked angrily. But the cat merely began to lick itself. And then the old man had shut the gates on the dog. Stop making so much noise, the old man shouted over the gates. Or Ill send you to the Himalayas.

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The dog slunk away so the cat had the old man all to herself. But all dogs remember the cats treachery, and dogs have hated cats ever since then.

The Bright Pearl

Filed under: China Teo @ 7:31 am Long, long ago there was a snow-white Jade Dragon, living in a rock cave on the east bank of the Celestial River. In the great forest across the river lived a beautiful Golden Phoenix. Leaving their home every morning, the dragon and the phoenix met each other before going their different ways. One flew in the sky, while the other swam in the Celestial River. One day both came to a fairy island. There they found a shining pebble and were fascinated by its beauty. Look, how beautiful this pebble is! Golden Phoenix said to Jade Dragon. Lets carve it into a pearl, said Jade Dragon. Golden Phoenix nodded in agreement. Then they started working on it, Jade Dragon using his claws and Golden Phoenix her beak. They carved the pebble day after day, month after month, until they finally made it into a perfect small round ball. In high spirits Golden Phoenix flew to the sacred mountain to gather dewdrops and Jade Dragon carried a lot of clear water from the Celestial River. They sprinkled and washed the ball with dew and water. Gradually the ball turned into a dazzling pearl. They had become attached to each other and both loved the pearl dearly. Neither wanted to go back to the cave and the forest. So they settled down on the fairy island guarding the pearl. It was a magic pearl. Wherever it shone, things grew better. Trees became green all the year round, flowers of all seasons bloomed together and the land yielded a richer harvest. One day the Queen Mother of Heaven left her palace and saw the brilliant rays shed by the pearl. Overwhelmed by the sight, she was eager to acquire it. She sent one of her guards to go in the middle of the night to steal the pearl from Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix while they were fast asleep. When the guard came back with it, the Queen Mother was very pleased. She would not show it to anyone, but immediately hid it in the innermost room of her palace, to reach which one had to pass through nine locked doors. When Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix woke up in the morning they found the pearl gone. Frantically, they searched high and low for it. Jade Dragon looked into every nook and cranny at the bottom of the

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Celestial River, while Golden Phoenix combed every inch of the sacred mountain, but in vain. They continued their unhappy search day and night, hoping to recover their treasured pearl. On the birthday of the Queen Mother, all the gods and goddesses in Heaven came to her palace to offer their congratulations. She prepared a grand feast, entertaining her guests with nectar and celestial peaches, the fruit of immortality. The gods and goddesses all said to her, May your fortune be as boundless as the East Sea and your life last long like the South Mountain! The Queen Mother was excited and, on a sudden impulse, declared, My immortal friends, I want to show you a precious pearl which cannot be found either in Heaven or on earth. So she unfastened nine keys from her girdle and unlocked the nine doors one after the other. From the innermost room of her palace she took out the bright pearl, placed it on a golden tray and carried it carefully to the center of the banquet hall. The whole hall was instantly lit by the pearl. The guests were fascinated by its radiance and greatly admired it. In the meantime, Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix were continuing their fruitless search. Suddenly Golden Phoenix saw its bright light. She called to Jade Dragon, Look, isnt that the light from our pearl? Jade Dragon stuck his head out of the Celestial River and looked. Of course! No doubt about it! Lets go and get it back. They flew towards the light, which led them to the palace of the Queen Mother. When they landed there, they found the immortals crowding around the pearl and praising it lavishly. Pushing through the crowd, Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix shouted together, This is our pearl! The Queen Mother was so enraged by their claim that she snapped, Nonsense! Im the mother of the Heavenly Emperor. All treasures belong to me! Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix were infuriated by her remarks. They protested, Heaven did not give birth to this pearl, nor was it grown on earth. It was carved and polished by us. It took many years hard work. Shamed and angry, the Queen Mother clutched the tray tightly while ordering her palace guards to eject Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix. But they fought their way back, determined to snatch the pearl from the Queen Mother. The three struggled over the golden tray with all their might. As the tray shook amidst the tussle, the pearl fell off, rolled to the edge of the stairs and then dropped into the air.

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Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix rushed out of the palace, trying to save it from being dashed to pieces. They flew beside the falling pearl, until it slowly landed on earth. When it touched the ground the pearl immediately turned into a clear, green lake. Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix could not bear to part from it, and so they changed themselves into two mountains, remaining for ever by the side of the lake. Since then Jade Dragon Mountain and Golden Phoenix Mountain have quietly stood beside the West Lake. Leave a Comment

Golden-Curls and How She Kept Silent

Filed under: Czech Republic Teo @ 7:25 am Once upon a time, there was a very poor blacksmith whose worldly possessions were a tumbledown cottage, a wife, a troop of hungry children, and otherwise nothing but seven pence. So with these seven pence he bought himself a stout rope, and went into the forest to hang himself. He found a tall tree with a strong branch, threw the rope over it and began to tie a knot. Suddenly a lady all in black stood before him, as if she had risen up out of the ground. Blacksmith, stop that at once, she commanded. The blacksmith was so frightened that he untied the rope, and the woman immediately disappeared. As soon as she was gone, he began to tie the rope around the branch again. But the lady in black reappeared at once, waved a threatening finger at him and snapped, I told you to stop that, Blacksmith! Again the blacksmith untied the rope, and started to make his way home. But on the way he thought to himself, Theres nothing left for me at home but to die of hunger anyway. I think Id rather hang myself. So again he found a good tree for hanging himself, and tied the rope around a branch. But the lady in black was there at once, shaking with anger. Why wont you listen to me, Blacksmith? she asked. What else can I do? sighed the blacksmith. I and my family are going to starve anyway. You will not starve, answered the lady in black, because I shall give you all the money you could possibly wish for. But in return, you must give me that thing which you have at home, and yet know not that you have.

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The blacksmith could hardly believe his ears, or his eyes, when he saw the sack full of gold coins that the lady handed to him. He thanked her heartily and set off as fast as he could with the heavy sack. But dont forget your promise, called the lady in black after him. That which you have at home, yet know not that you have, belongs to me. In seven years I shall come to claim it. I know everything there is in my house, laughed the blacksmith. If theres anything there I dont know about youre welcome to it. And off he went. When the blacksmith got home he counted the sack of gold coins into a great heap. The family was overjoyed. Our little Golden-curls has brought us luck, laughed the blacksmiths wife, and she showed her husband a beautiful little baby girl with golden hair and a golden star on her forehead. It was the blacksmiths baby daughter, who had just been born that day. The blacksmith was shocked and saddened. So that was the thing he had at home, which he had not known about! Well, the years passed and Golden-curls grew into a beautiful little girl, the joy and sorrow of her parents. On her seventh birthday, a black coach stopped outside the cottage and the lady in black stepped from it. I have come for your little girl, she said, and led the girl to the coach. The parents and the other children begged her to relent, but the woman was not to be moved. The coachman cracked his whip and in a flash the carriage was gone. They drove for a long, long time, through barren deserts and dark forests, until at last they reached a huge black castle. This castle is yours, said the lady in black. It has one hundred rooms, all of which you may enter freely, except the hundredth one. Do not enter that, or great evil will befall you. Remember! In seven years time I shall visit you again. And with that, the lady in black drove away. In exactly seven years to the day the lady in black returned in her carriage. Have you been into the hundredth room? was the first thing she asked. No, I havent, replied Golden-curls honestly. You are a good, obedient girl. In seven years I shall return again, and if you have still obeyed me, I will make you the happiest of girls. But if you step inside that hundredth room, a fate more terrible than death will await you. With this threat the lady in black rode off again for another seven years. The seven years passed quickly, and the day came for the lady in black to return. Golden-curls could hardly wait, for she was sure she would be rewarded in some marvelous way for her obedience. Then suddenly she heard strange and beautiful music. Who can be playing so sweetly in my castle? she

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wondered. Following the sounds up a twisting staircase, she came to the topmost room of the castle, the hundredth room, for that was where the music was playing. Without stopping to think she opened the door, and stood there staring, horrified at what she had done. Inside, twelve men in black cowls were sitting around a great table, and a thirteenth man was standing looking down at her. Golden-curls, Golden curls, what have you done? he cried, and his voice echoed like thunder around the stone chamber. Golden-curls was so terrified that her heart missed several beats. Whatever can I do? she wailed. You must never, never tell a soul what you have seen in this room. That is the only way you may find forgiveness for what you have done. Golden-curls closed the heavy door and went downstairs. Almost at once she heard the lady in blacks carriage rattling up. What did you see in the hundredth room? the woman snapped, for she knew at once what had happened. Golden-curls shook her head and said nothing. Very well, if its dumb you are then dumb you shall stay! From this moment on you will be able to speak to no one but me. And saying this the lady in black drove Golden-curls out of the castle. Golden-curls walked until she could go no further. She came to a beautiful green meadow, lay down on the grass and cried herself to sleep. Now it happened that the young king of that land, who was out hunting, passed by the meadow and saw Golden-curls lying there asleep. She was so beautiful that he as once fell in love with her, and he didnt mind at all that she couldnt speak. He took her to his palace, where a few days later they were married. And so Golden-curls became a queen. She lived very happily at the castle, and before a year had passed a little boy was born to her, who also had golden hair and a golden star on his forehead. Everyone in the palace was delighted with their new prince. But the very first night after the babys birth, the terrible lady in black appeared at Golden-curls bedside, and said in a cruel voice, Tell me what you saw in the hundredth room, or Ill kill your little son. Poor Golden-curls was terrified, but she remembered what the thirteenth man had said: she must keep silent. So she just shook her head.

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Then the woman seized the little baby, strangled him, and rubbed his blood on Golden-curls lips, and vanished with the dead child. In the morning everyone was horrified when they saw the blood on her face, and they wondered, Surely she couldnt have eaten her own child? But the king did not accuse her and no one else dared to, and Golden-curls still could not speak. Another year passed and a little girl was born to Golden-curls. She too had golden hair and a golden star on her forehead. Everyone at the palace was delighted, but they were frightened too, lest the same terrible thing should happen as last time. So the king set a strong guard around Golden-curls room, but to no avail. During the night the lady in black appeared again and said, Tell me what you saw in the hundredth room, or Ill kill the girl too. Golden-curls was beside herself with grief, but she still only shook her head. The woman strangled the little girl, rubbed blood on Golden-curls lips, and vanished carrying the dead child. Next day the palace was thrown into dismay by the news, and the king in a rage gave orders for Goldencurls to be burned at the stake. She wept and wept, but no one now felt the least bit sorry for her. As they were leading her out beyond the city, the black carriage appeared again, and the lady in black stepped out of it. This is your last chance to tell me what you saw in the hundredth room, she cried. Tell me, or they will most certainly burn you alive. Golden-curls still just shook her head and said nothing. The executioners tied Golden-curls to the stake and lit the fire beneath her. But just as the flames were starting to lick at her feet, the lady in black suddenly became dressed in white, and called out, Put out the fire! Please, hurry! Everyone was astonished, but the executioners quickly doused the flames. The lady in white went to her carriage, and out of it climbed a little boy and girl, both with golden hair and golden stars on their foreheads. She brought them to Golden-curls, saying, By keeping silent so steadfastly, you have saved yourself, and you have also saved me, by delivering me from a terrible enchantment. With that she vanished. Watching all this the king could hardly believe his eyes or ears, especially when Golden-curls finally spoke to him and told him the whole strange story. They rode straight back to the palace, and lived there long

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and happily together. The old blacksmith, his wife and all his children came to live with them, and all were blessed with the greatest happiness and good fortune. Leave a Comment

The Wood Fairy

Filed under: Czech Republic Teo @ 7:17 am Once upon a time there was a little girl named Betushka. She lived with her mother, a poor widow who had only a tumbledown cottage and two goats. But in spite of this poverty, Betushka was always merry. From spring to autumn, Betushka drove the goats each day to pasture in a birch wood. Every morning her mother put a slice of bread and an empty spindle into her bag. The spindle would hold the flaxen thread she would spin while she watched the goats. She was too poor to own a distaff on which to wind the flax, so she wound it around her head, to carry it thus to the wood. Work hard, Betushka, her mother always said, and fill the spindle before you return home. Off skipped Betushka, singing along the way. She danced behind the goats into the wood of birch trees and sat down under a tree. With her left hand she pulled fibers from the flax around her head and with her right hand twirled her spindle so that it hummed over the ground. All the time she sang merrily and the goats nibbled the green grass among the trees. When the sun showed that it was midday, Betushka stopped her spinning. She gave each of the goats a morsel of bread and picked a few strawberries to eat with what remained. After this, she sprang up and danced. The sun shone even more warmly and the birds sang yet more sweetly. After her dance, Betushka began again to spin busily. At evening when she drove the goats home she was able to hand her mother a spindle full of flaxen thread. One fine spring day, when Betushka was ready as usual to dance, suddenly there appeared before her a most beautiful maiden. Her white dress floated about her as thin as gossamer, her golden hair flowed to her waist, and a wreath of forest blossoms crowned her head. Betushka was struck silent. The wood fairy smiled at her and in a sweet voice asked, Betushka, do you like to dance? At this, Betushka lost her fear. Oh! I could dance all the day long! Come then, let us dance together. I will teach you. She took Betushka and began to dance with her.

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Round and round they circled, while sweet music sounded over their heads. The maiden had called upon the birds sitting in the birch trees to accompany them. Nightingales, larks, goldfinches, thrushes, and a clever mockingbird sang such sweet melodies that Betushkas heart filled with delight. She quite forgot her goats and her spinning. On and on she danced, with feet never weary, until evening when the last rosy rays of sunset were disappearing. The music ceased and the maiden vanished as suddenly as she had come. Betushka looked around. There was her spindle only half filled with thread. Sadly she put it into her bag and drove the goats from the wood. She did not sing while going down the road this time, but reproached herself for forgetting her duty. She resolved that she would not do this again. When she reached home she was so quiet that her mother asked if she were ill. No, Mother, I am not ill. But she did not tell her mother about the lovely maiden. She hid the half-filled spindle, promising herself to work twice as hard tomorrow to make up for today. Early the next morning Betushka again drove the goats to pasture, singing merrily as usual. She entered the wood and began her spinning, intending to do twice her usual amount. At noon Betushka picked a few strawberries, but she did not dance. To her goats she said, Today, I dare not dance. Why dont you dance, my little goats? Come and dance with me, called a voice. It was the beautiful maiden. But this time Betushka was afraid, and she was also ashamed. She asked the maiden to leave her alone. Before sunset, I must finish my spinning, she said. The maiden answered, If you will dance with me, someone will help you finish your spinning. With the birds singing beautifully as before, Betushka could not resist. She and the maiden began to dance, and again they danced till evening. Now when Betushka looked at her nearly empty spindle, she burst into tears. But the maiden unwound the flax from Betushkas head, twined it around a slender birch tree, seized the spindle, and began to spin. The spindle hummed over the ground and grew thick with thread. By the time the sun had dropped from sight, all the flax was spun. As the maiden handed the full spindle to Betushka, she said, Wind it and grumble not. Remember, wind it and grumble not. Then, suddenly, she disappeared.

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Betushka, happy now, drove the goats home, singing as she went, and gave her mother the full spindle. Betushkas mother, however, was not pleased with what Betushka had failed to do the day before and asked her about it. Betushka told her that she had danced, but she kept the maiden a secret. The next day Betushka went still earlier to the birch wood. The goats grazed while she sang and spun, until at noon the beautiful maiden appeared and again seized Betushka by the waist to dance. While the birds sang for them, the two danced on and on, Betushka quite forgetting her spindle and the goats. When the sun was setting, Betushka looked around. There was the half-filled spindle! But the maiden grasped Betushkas bag, became invisible for a moment, then handed back the bag stuffed with something light. She ordered her not to look into it before reaching home, and with these words she disappeared. Betushka started home, not daring to look into the bag. But halfway there she was unable to resist peeking, for the bag was so light she feared a trick. She looked into the bag, and began to weep. It was full of dry birch leaves! Angrily she tossed some of these out of the bag, but suddenly she stopped she knew they would make good litter for the goats to sleep on. Now she was almost afraid to go home. There her mother was awaiting her. What kind of spindle did you bring me yesterday? she asked. I wound and wound, but the spindle remained full. Some evil spirit has spun you, I grumbled, and at that instant the thread vanished from the spindle. Tell me what this means. Betushka then told her mother about the maiden and their dancing. That was a wood fairy, exclaimed her mother, alarmed. The wood fairies dance at midday and at midnight. If you had been a little boy, you might not have escaped alive. But to little girls, the wood fairies often give rich presents. Next, she added. To think that you did not tell me. If I had not grumbled I might have had a room full of thread. Betushka then thought of her bag and wondered if there might not, after all, be something under those leaves. She lifted out the spindle and the unspun flax. Look, Mother! Her mother looked and clapped her hands. Under the spindle the birch leaves had turned to gold! Betushka told her mother how the fairy had directed her not to look into the bag until she got home, but that she had not obeyed and had thrown out some of the leaves. Tis fortunate you did not empty out the whole bagful, said her mother. The next morning Betushka and her mother went into the wood, to look carefully over the ground where Betushka had thrown out the dry leaves. Only fresh birch leaves lay there, but the gold that Betushka did bring home was enough for a farm with a garden and some cows. She wore beautiful dresses and no

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longer had to graze the goats. Nothing, however, gave her such delight as she had had dancing with the wood fairy. Often she ran to the birch wood, hoping to see the beautiful maiden, but never again did the wood fairy appear. Leave a Comment

Pot, Cook
Filed under: Czech Republic Teo @ 7:14 am In a village there lived a poor widow with her daughter. They lived in an old house with roof full of holes. They had several hens. The old woman used to go to the forest to fetch some wood in winter and strawberries in summer. Her daughter sold eggs in the town. That was their life. Once in summer, the mother was ill and the girl had to go to the forest to pick up strawberries. they made gruel of strawberries. She took a pot and a piece of bread and went to the forest. When the pot was full of strawberries, she came to a well, took the bread and began to eat it. It was just noon. Suddenly an old woman appeared. She looked like a beggar and had a pot in her hand. Oh, my girl, said the woman, I would like to eat. I have not had even a piece of bread in my mouth since yesterday morning. Would you give me a piece of bread? Why not? said the girl, If you are hungry, I will give you all my bread. I hope it is not too hard for you. The girl gave the woman all her lunch. Thank you very much, my girl, thank you. You were so kind to me and I will give you something too. I will give you this pot. When you give the pot on the table and say: Pot, cook; it will cook so much gruel you want. When you think you have enough gruel, say: Pot, stop; and it will stop cooking. Do not forget what you are to say. The old woman gave her the pot and disappeared. When the girl came home, she said everything to her mother and gave the pot onthe table. Then she said: Pot, cook. She wanted to find out if the old woman spoke the truth. Suddenly the gruel began to be cooked in the pot and there was more and more gruel. In the moment the pot was full of gruel. Pot, stop, said the girl and it stopped. They both sat down and ate the gruel.

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When they ate all the gruel, the girl took some eggs and went to the town to sell them. She had to be in the town for a long time. She sold the eggs late in the evening. Her mother waited for her but she was hungry and wanted to have some gruel again. She took the pot, gave it on the table and said: Pot, cook. Gruel began to be cook and in a moment the pot was full. I will have to bring a bowl and a spoon, she said to herself and went to the closet. When she came back, she froze looking at the pot: gruel was running out of the pot to the table, to the chair and to the floor. The woman forgot what to say to make the pot stop cooking! She gave the bowl on the pot but it fell down and broke. Gruel was running out. There was so much gruel in the room that the woman had to go out. She lamented: What did my girl bring to our home? I knew it would not be anything good for us. In a while gruel began to run out of the house. The old woman did not know where to go so she went to the attic and lamented. There was more and more gruel, it ran to the village and may be it would be running far away if the girl did not return and say: Pot, stop. In the village, there was a hill of gruel and when the farmers wanted to get home, they had to eat the gruel. Leave a Comment

Reason and Fortune

Filed under: Czech Republic Teo @ 7:08 am Once Reason met Fortune on a footbridge. Let me pass, said Fortune. Reason was inexperienced and did not know who should go first and said: Why should I let you pass? You are not better than me.

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The one who manages to do more, answered Fortune, is better. Can you see that boy who ploughs the field? Get inside him and if he is better with you than with me, I will let you pass any time and anywhere we will meet. Reason agreed and got inside the boys head. When the boy felt reason in his head, he began to think: Why should I plough field all my life? I could be happy somewhere else too. He stopped ploughing and went home. Daddy, he said, I do not like farming, I would like to learn to be a gardener. His dad said: Have you become a fool? But when he thought it over, he said: If you want to, Vanek, you can, God be with you. Your brother will inherit our house from me instead of you. Vanek lost the house but he did not mind it. He went away and began to learn at the royal gardener. He learnt very quickly and the gardener did not have to teach him much. Soon Vanek began to learn himself and did not need the gardener. The gardener did not like it but when he saw that everything is being done well, he was satisfied: I see that you are wiser than me, he said and let Vanek do everything himself. The garden was nicer and nicer and the king was very pleased and walked in the garden very often with the queen and their only daughter. The daughter was very beautiful girl but she stopped speaking when she was twelve and nobody heard her to speak since that time. The king was troubled by it very much and announced that who would teach her to speak, becames her husband. Many young kings, princes and dukes came to try it but nobody managed it. The princess was silent. Why couldnt I try it too? Maybe, I will be lucky, thought Vanek, I will be asking her, she has to answer me. He went to the king and was led to the room where the kings daughter was. She had a small dog and liked him very much because the dog was very smart and understood everything she wanted. When Vanek and the king entered the room, he did not even notice the princess but began to talk to the dog: I heard that you are very smart and I want advice from you. We were three journeymena carver, a tailor and me. Once we went through a forest and we had to sleep there. We were scared of wolves so we made fire. Each of us was to watch for some time. Firstly, the carver watched and because he had not

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much to do. He took a piece of wood and made a nice girl of it. Then he woke the tailor. The tailor saw the girl and asked what it was. You see, said the carver, I did not know what to do, so I made this girl. If you want you can make dress for her. The tailor took scissors, neddle and thread and began to sew. When the dress was made, he put it on the girl. Then he asked me to watch. I asked what the girl was. You see, said the tailor, the carver made this girl and I sewed the dress for her. If you want, you can teach her to speak. And I really taught her to speak. In the morning, when they woke up, everybody wanted to have the girl. The carver said: I made her. The tailor said: I made dress for her. I also wanted to have the girl. Tell me, little dog, who should have the girl? The dog was silent but the princess answered instead of him: Who else than you should have her? What is carvers girl without life? What is tailors dress without speech? You gave her the best giftlife and speechyou should have the girl. You decided about yourself, said Vanek, I gave speech and new life to you, so you should be mine. One of the kings counsellor said: His Majesty will give you a good reward because you managed to give speech to the princess but you cannot marry her, you are not of a noble origin. The king said: You cannot marry her. I will give you a good reward. Vanek, however, did not want even hear about the reward: The king promised: who will make his daughter speak, will marry her. The kings word is law and if the king wants people to behave according to law, he must behave in that way too. The king must give me his daughter. Bind him up, shouted the counsellor, he said that the king must do something, he will die. Your Majesty, his head should be cut. The king said: Cut his head off. Vanek was bound up and led to the place of execution. When they came there, Fortune said to Reason: You see, he is not very well with you, his head will be cut. Get out so I can get into your place. When Fortune got inside Vanek, the headsmans sword broke. Before they brought another sword, the royal bugler came and after him the royal coach. The kings daughter said to her father that Vanek was right and the kings word should not be cancelled and that the king can make duke of Vanek. The king said: You are right, he will be the duke.

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They sent a coach for Vanek and istead of Vaneks head, the head of the counsellor was cut because his advice was not wise. When there was the wedding reception, Reason came there but seeing he would meet Fortune, he ran away. Since that time, when Reason meets Fortune, Reason gets away so Fortune can pass. Leave a Comment

June 3, 2007

The Shepherd, The Tiger and The Fox

Filed under: Central Asia Teo @ 2:51 pm A shepherd brought his sheep into the field to graze, and sat down under a tree to rest. Suddenly a tiger came out of the woods. The shepherd picked up his staff and jumped up. The tiger was just about to spring at the man when he saw the staff and got frightened. He thought it was a gun. They stared at each other, and neither dared to make the first move. At that moment, a fox came running by. He saw that the tiger and the shepherd were afraid of each other and decided to turn the situation to his own advantage. He ran up to the tiger and said: Cousin tiger, there is no reason to be afraid of a man. Jump on him, get him down, and have a good meal. Youre cunning, growled the tiger, but you have no brains. Look at himhe has a gun. Hell fire, and that will be the end of me. Be off with your stupid advice. Well, if thats the case, Ill go and ask him not to shoot you. What will you give me if I save you? Anything you ask. The fox ran to the shepherd and said: Uncle shepherd, why are you standing here? The tiger wants to make a meal of you. I just persuaded him to wait a while. What will you give me if I save you? And the shepherd promised: Anything you ask.

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The fox ran to the tiger and said: Cousin tiger, youll have a long life. I just persuaded the shepherd not to shoot you. Hurry up and run now! Ill see you later. If he gets angry again, hell fire his gun and it will be the end of you. The tiger turned and leaped away as fast as he could. And the fox came back to the shepherd. Uncle shepherd, you did not forget your promise? No, said the shepherd. Tell me what you want. I dont want much, only a bite out of your leg. That will be enough for me. The shepherd stretched out his leg. But just as the fox was about to sink his teeth into it, the shepherd screamed. The fox jumped back. Who made that noise? What do you care? Take your bite, and be done with it. Oh, no! I wont come near you before you tell me who made that noise, said the frightened fox. In that case, I will tell you, answered the shepherd. Last year we had a bad winter in the village. We had nothing to eat. And then my sheep dog had two puppies. Well . . . I was so hungry, I ate them. Now the pups have grown up in my stomach. I guess they smell you and want to get at you, so they are barking. The fox got even more frightened, but he would not show it. He said with dignity: Id have no trouble handling your pups. But I must run and see the tiger on some urgent business. Hold back your sheep dogs for a while. When I come back, Ill teach them such a lesson that they will never attack foxes again. Very well, make it quick, said the shepherd. And the fox went streaking off into the woods, happy to get away with his life. After he caught his breath, he set out to look for the tiger: perhaps he would have better luck with him. Well, cousin tiger, the fox said when he found him. I saved your life when you were frightened of the shepherd, and you made a promise. Now you must keep it! What promise? roared the tiger. I am no cousin to you. I am the shah of these woods. Who dares to say that I was frightened?

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And he raised his paw to strike the fox down. There is no gratitude in this world, the fox said to himself, and slunk into his hole to teach his children to stay away from men and tigers. Leave a Comment

The Kaha Bird

Filed under: Central Asia Teo @ 2:48 pm Once upon a time there lived an old fisherman. Early in the morning he would go down to the river and sit there fishing all day. And in the evening, when he counted his catch, there never would be more than a fish or two. He sold the fish in the market and bought a little food for himself and his wife. And almost every day they went to bed half hungry. One morning he went down to the river to fish, when suddenly a beautiful great bird with shiny silver plumage flew in from somewhere and sat down on the tree above him. This was not an ordinary birdit was the magical Kaha bird herself, who often helped poor people when they were in trouble. The Kaha watched the fisherman as he waited and waited until he caught a tiny little fish. Then she asked him: What will you do with this fish, grandpa? Ill take it to market and sell it, so I can buy a piece of bread for myself and my old wife. The bird took pity on the old man. You have worked and suffered long enough, she said to him. I shall bring yon a big fish every night. You will get a lot of money for it, and you and your wife wont have to live in poverty any more. At midnight the Kaha bird came flying with a large fish and dropped it in the old mans yard. In the morning the old fisherman cut the big fish into pieces, fried them and took them to the market to sell. From that day on the Kaha bird came every night and brought the old man a big fish. Little by little the old man, who had been so poor, became quite rich, and even bought himself a house with a garden. One day, when he brought his fish to market, he heard the crier of the shah himself shouting for all to hear: Our shah has heard about a marvelous, magical Kaha bird. Whoever tells him where to find this bird will get half of his kingdom and fifty bags of gold.

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The old man jumped up from his place to tell the crier that he knew where the bird could be found. But then he thought: This bird has saved me from poverty and hunger. How can I betray her? And he sat down again. Still, he said to himself, it would be nice to be the lord of half the kingdom, and he stood up again. And so he argued with himself, getting up and sitting down, getting up and sitting down, until the crier saw him and dragged the old man to the palace, before the shah himself. This old man knows where to find the Kaha bird! he cried. And the shah said to the fisherman: If you know about the Kaha bird, tell me where to find her. Ive grown blind, and no known remedies have helped me. But a wise healer from a distant land has told me that if I wash my eyes in the blood of the Kaha bird, I will regain my sight at once. Help me to find the bird, and I will give you half my kingdom and fifty bags of gold! And the old man, overcome with greed, said: Mighty Shah, the Kaha bird comes to my yard at midnight every night and brings me a big fish. The shah rejoiced and told him: Well, then, you must catch her for me! But the old man said: No, the Kaha bird is large and strong. Ill never be able to catch her myself. To catch and hold her will take more than a hundred men. Ill send four hundred of my servants with you, said the shah. Hide them under the tree where the bird sits down. They will know how to catch and hold her. No, said the old man. You cannot catch her that way. You cant use force, you must be cunning. When she comes to me, I shall prepare a feast and then persuade her to come down on earth. Then we shall catch her. The shah sent four hundred servants with the fisherman. He hid them under the branches of the tree where the Kaha bird always alighted. The servants sat and waited, without moving hand or foot. And the old man spread a rug near the tree and set out all sorts of delicacies to tempt the Kaha bird. As soon as the bird came, he spoke to her: My dear friend, dear Kaha bird! Thanks to you I have grown rich and happy, and yet Ive never even asked you to dine with me. Come down and do me the honor of sharing my meal!

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At first the Kaha bird refused, but he begged her so sweetly and so cunningly, that she began to waver. For a moment she wondered: Why is he begging me so much? What if he has some evil thing in mind? But then she answered herself: What can he do to me, he is so old and weak! Besides, I have done him so much good. And so, ashamed of her suspicions, she came down from the tree and sat down on the rug next to the old man. He set all the fine dishes before her: My dearest friend, beloved Kaha! Eat! Try this, and now try that! I have prepared it all myself with love and gratitude! But as soon as the Kaha bird began to peck at the food in the dish, he caught her by the feet and cried: I have her! Come out, come out, quick! The shahs four hundred servants leaped out and rushed toward the bird. But the huge bird merely spread her wings and rose into the air, with the old man hanging onto her feet and shouting: I have her, I have her! Then one of the shahs servants jumped up and caught the old mans feet to pull them down. But he, too, rose above the ground. A second servant caught him by the feet. A third caught the second. A fourth caught the third. A fifth caught the fourth, until the old man and all the shahs four hundred servants hung by one anothers feet, while the Kaha bird rose higher and higher, right up into the clouds. At this moment, the old man looked down, but he could no longer see the earth. Oh-h! he cried and everything turned dark before his eyes. His fingers loosed their hold on the birds feet, and he plunged down and down and down. And with him, all the shahs four hundred servants. Down they came and smashed themselves to bits. And the magical great Kaha bird returned to her kingdom in the clouds, and no man ever saw her again. Leave a Comment

The Silken Tassel

Filed under: Central Asia Teo @ 2:43 pm There was a girl called Torko-Chachak, which means Silken Tassel. Her eyes were like wild cherries, her brows were like two rainbows. Into her braids she plaited seashells from distant lands, and on her hat there was a silken tassel, white as moonlight.

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One day the father of Silken Tassel fell ill, and her mother said to her: Get up on the bay horse and hurry to the bank of the rushing river. There, in a tent made of birchbark, you will find the shaman Teldekpei. Ask him to come here and to cure your father. The girl leaped up on the bay horse with the white star on his forehead, took in her right hand the leather reins with silver rings and in her left, the lash with a finely carved bone handle. The bay horse galloped fast, the reins shook up and down, the harness tinkled merrily. Old Teldekpei sat at the threshold of his birchbark tent. With a sharp knife, he was carving a round cup out of a piece of birchwood. He heard the merry clattering of hooves, the ringing of the harness. He raised his eyes and saw the girl on the bay horse. She sat proudly in the high saddle, the silken tassel fluttered in the wind, the seashells sang in her thick braids. The knife dropped from the shamans hand, the cup rolled into the fire. Grandfather, said the girl. My father is sick, come help us. I will cure your father, Silken Tassel, if you will marry me. The shamans eyebrows were like moss, his white beard, like a thorny shrub. Frightened, Silken Tassel pulled the reins and galloped off. At dawn tomorrow I will come to you! the shaman called after her. The girl came home, entered the tent and said: Old Teldekpei will be here tomorrow at dawn. The stars had not yet melted in the sky, the people in the camp had not yet set the milk out to ferment, the meat in the kettles had not yet been cooked, and the fine white rugs were not yet spread upon the ground when there was a loud clattering of hooves. The oldest of the elders came out to welcome the mighty shaman Teldekpei. He sat atop a shaggy horse with a back as wide as a mountain yaks. Silently, looking at no one, he dismounted, and, greeting no one, he went into the tent. The old men brought in after him the eightypound robe in which he worked his magic and put it down on the white rug. They hung his tambourine upon a wooden peg and made a fire of fragrant juniper twigs under it.

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All day, from dawn to sunset, the shaman sat without lifting his eyelids, without moving, without uttering a word. Late at night Teldekpei stood up and pulled his red shamans hat down to his eyebrows. Two owl feathers stood up in his hat like ears; red strips of cloth fluttered behind it like two wings. Large glass beads fell upon his face like hail. Groaning, he lifted from the rug his eighty-pound robe and put his hands into the stiff, hard sleeves. Along the sides of the robe hung frogs and snakes woven of magic grasses. Feathers of woodpeckers were stuck into its back. The Shaman took his tambourine from the peg and struck it with a wooden stick. A booming noise filled the tent, like a mountain storm in winter. The people stood about chilled with fear. The shaman danced and swayed and worked his magic, the bells rang, and the tambourine clashed and moaned and thundered. Then sudden silence fell. The tambourine moaned for the last time, and everything was still. Teldekpei sank onto the white rug, wiped the sweat off his brow with his sleeve, straightened his tangled beard with his fingers, took the heart of a goat from a tray, ate it, and said: Drive out Silken Tassel. An evil spirit resides in her. While she is in the camp, her father will not get up from his illness. Misfortune will not leave this valley. Little children will fall asleep forever; their fathers and grandfathers will die in torment. The women of the camp fell down upon the ground in fear. The old men pressed their hands over their eyes with grief. The young men looked at Silken Tassel; twice they turned red, and twice they turned pale. Put Silken Tassel into a wooden barrel, the shaman boomed. Bind the barrel with nine iron hoops. Nail down the bottom with copper nails, and throw the barrel into the rushing river. He said this, mounted his shaggy horse, and rode off to his own white tent. Hey! he shouted to his slaves. Go to the river! The water will bring down a large barrel. Catch it and bring it here, then run into the woods. If you hear weeping, do not turn back. If cries and moans spread through the woods, do not look back. Do not return to my tent in less than three days. For seven days and seven nights the people of the encampment could not bring themselves to carry out the shamans orders. For seven days and seven nights they bid the girl farewell. On the eighth day they put Silken Tassel into a wooden barrel, bound it with nine iron hoops, nailed down the bottom with copper nails, and threw the barrel into the rushing river.

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On that day a young fisherman called Balykchi sat on the steep bank of the river some distance from the camp. He saw the barrel, caught it, brought it into his hut, picked up an axe, and knocked out the bottom. When he saw the girl, the hand that held the axe dropped, and his heart leaped like a grasshopper. At last he asked the girl: What is your name? Silken TasselTorko-Chachak. The girl climbed out of the barrel and bowed low to the fisherman. Who put you into the barrel? The shaman Teldekpei said that it must be done. The fisherman whistled for his dog, fierce as a mountain lion, put him into the barrel, nailed down the bottom with copper nails, and let the barrel float downstream. The shamans slaves pulled out the barrel, brought it to the white birchbark tent, put it before the old wizard, and ran away into the woods. But even before they reached the woods, they heard the shaman call: Help! Help! But the slaves did everything he had bidden. They heard shouts, but did not turn back. They heard moaning and cries, but did not look back. For such were their masters orders. Three days later they returned from the woods. The shaman lay on the ground, more dead than alive. His clothes were torn to shreds, his beard was bloody and tangled, his eyebrows were shaggier than ever. And Torko-Chachak remained with the young fisherman in the green hut. But Balykchi did not go out fishing any more. He would pick up the rod and take two steps toward the river, then look back at the girl on the threshold, and his feet carried him back to her. He could not get enough of gazing at Silken Tassel. And so the girl took a piece of birchbark and painted her face on it with the juice of flowers and berries. She nailed the birchbark to a stick and put the stick into the ground right by the water. Now the fisherman was not so lonely by the river. The painted Torko-Chachak looked at him as if she were alive. One day Balykchi looked at the picture and did not notice when a large fish caught his bait. The rod slipped from his hand and knocked down the stick, and the birchbark fell into the water and floated away.

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When the girl heard this, she wept and wailed, she rubbed her brows with her hands, she tangled her braids with her fingers. Whoever finds the birchbark will come here! Hurry, hurry, Balykchi, and try to catch it! Turn your goatskin coat with the fur outside, get up on the blue ox, and ride as fast as he will go along the riverbank. Balykchi put on his goatskin coat with the fur outside. He mounted the blue ox and galloped off along the riverbank. But the painted birchbark floated down and down, faster and faster. Balykchi could not catch it. The water brought the birchbark to the mouth of the river. Here it got tangled in a willow branch and hung over the rapid current. At the mouth of that river, the camp of rich and cruel Kara-Khan spread far and wide over endless fields and meadows. Innumerable herds of cattle, white and red, were grazing in the tall grass. The shepherds noticed the white birchbark in the willows. They came down nearer and stared at it, enchanted. Their hats were blown off by the wind and floated down the current. Their herds wandered away and scattered in the woods. What is this? thundered Kara-Khan, riding up to his shepherds. Hey, lazy good-for-nothings! What holiday is this? Whose wedding are you celebrating? He raised his nine-tailed lash, but suddenly he saw the birchbark, and the lash dropped from his hand. A girl looked at him from the birchbark. Her lips were like a newly opened scarlet flower, her eyes were like wild cherries, her brows like two rainbows, her lashes like arrows that struck the heart. He snatched the birchbark, put it into the bosom of his coat, and shouted in a terrifying voice: Hey, you! Mighty fighters, strong men, warriors, heroes! Get on your horses at once! If we dont find this girl, Ill kill you with my spear, Ill shoot you with my arrows, Ill have you thrown into boiling water! He touched the reins and galloped off upstream. Behind him came an army of warriors, clanking their heavy armor of red copper and yellow bronze. Behind the army rode the stablemen leading a white stallion that was as fast as thought. At the sight of this dread army, Silken Tassel did not cry and did not laugh. Silently she mounted the white stallion with the pearl-embroidered saddle.

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And so, without crying, without laughing, without saying a word to anyone, without answering anyone, Torko-Chachak sat in the khans tent. Suddenly, one sunny morning, she sprang outside, clapped her hands, and laughed, and sang! Kara-Khan looked where she was looking, ran where she was running, and saw a young man in a goatskin coat turned inside out mounted on a blue ox. So it was he who made you laugh, Silken Tassel? Why, I can do the same. I can also put on this ragged coat. I can also mount the blue ox without fear. Then smile as gaily to me, sing to me as merrily! And Kara-Khan tore the goatskin coat from Balykchis shoulders, went over to the blue ox, picked up the reins, and put his foot into the iron stirrup. Moo-oo! Moo-oo! bellowed the ox, and, giving the khan no time to swing his right foot over the saddle, he dragged him off over the hills and valleys. Kara-Khans black cruel liver burst with shame. His round cruel heart burst with rage. And Silken Tassel took the poor fisherman Balykchi by the right hand, and together they returned to their green hut. May you, too, find the happiness they found, for this is the end of our tale. Leave a Comment

Living Water
Filed under: Central Asia Teo @ 2:38 pm This happened a long, long time ago, when the cedar, the fir, and the pine still had needles that yellowed and dropped in the fall instead of staying green all winter. Once in those olden times a Tofalar went out into the woods to hunt. He walked and walked, and he came farther than any hunter had ever dared to go. He saw a bog so vast that no beast could have crossed it, no bird could have flown across. And the Tofalar said to himself: If our animals cant run across this bog, and our birds cannot fly across it, what kinds of animals and birds live on the other side? The more he thought about it, the more curious he became.

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I must find out, he said to himself. Whatever happens, I must get there. And so he took a good running start, and leaped right clear across the bog. He looked around: the same earth, the same grass, the same trees. Silly! he said. There was no need to jump. Suddenly his mouth dropped open with wonder. In a little clearing stood seven harnessed rabbits. They stood quietly, waiting. Then seven people came out of seven burrows in the earth, exactly like all people, only tiny. When the rabbits flattened their ears, the people were taller than the rabbits. When the rabbits ears stood up, the people were smaller than the rabbits. Who are you? asked the Tofalar. We are immortal people, said the tiny men. We wash ourselves in living water, and we never die. And who are you? I am a hunter. The little men clapped their hands with joy. Oh, good! Oh, good! they cried in chorus. And one of them, the eldest, with white hair and a long white beard, came forward and said: A terrible, huge beast has come into our land. We dont know where it came from. The other day it caught one of our people and killed him. We are immortal, we never die ourselves, but this beast killed one of us. You are a huntercan you help us in this trouble? Can you hunt down the beast? Why not? answered the Tofalar, but to himself he wondered: Will I be able to kill such a frightful beast? However, he went out to track the beast. He looked and he looked, but could find nothing except rabbits footprints. Suddenly, among the rabbit prints he noticed the track of a sable. Oh, thats too fine a quarry to miss, he said. First I will get the sable, and then Ill go on looking for the terrible, huge beast. He found the sable and killed it. Then he skinned it and went on with his search. He walked the length and breadth of the little peoples land, but could not find any trace of the beast.

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So he came back to the little people and said to them: I could not find your terrible, huge beast. All I have found was this sable. And he showed them the little sable skin. Thats it, thats it! they cried. Oo-h, what a huge skin, what thick paws, what terrible, sharp claws! And the eldest of the little men said to the Tofalar: You have saved us and our people! And we shall pay for your kindness with kindness. Wait for us. Well come to visit you and bring you living water. Youll wash in it and will become immortal too. The Tofalar jumped back across the bog and went back to his valley and told his people about the little men. And the Tofalars began to wait for their guests, the immortal little men. They waited one day, two days, three days, many, many days. But the guests did not come, and the Tofalars forgot about them and their promise. Winter came. Everything around was frozen. And the bog was covered with a coat of ice. One day the village women went to the woods to gather firewood. Suddenly they saw a little herd of rabbits galloping their way. They looked again, and saw that every rabbit was saddled, and in every saddle sat a tiny man with a little pitcher in his hands. The women burst out laughing at the sight. Look, look! they cried to one another. They are riding on rabbits! And look at the little men, how funny! Oh, what a joke! Oh, Ill die laughing! Now, the immortal people were a proud race. They took offense at this reception. The one in front, with white hair and a long beard, shouted something to the others, and all of them spilled out the contents of their pitchers onto the ground. Then the rabbits turned and hopped away so fast that you could only see their white tails flicker. And so the Tofalars never got the living water. It went instead to the pine, the cedar, and the fir. And this is why they are fresh and green all through the year. Their needles never die. Leave a Comment

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The Friendship of the Tortoise and The Eagle

Filed under: Africa Teo @ 2:33 pm It was not often that the tortoise and the eagle met, for the one spent his days in the clouds and the other in the under a bush. However, when the eagle heard what a warm-hearted little fellow the tortoise was, he went to pay a call on him. The tortoise family showed such pleasure in his company and fed him so lavishly that the eagle returned again and again, while every time as he flew away he laughed, Ha, ha! I can enjoy the hospitality of the tortoise on the ground but he can never reach my eyrie in the tree-top! The eagles frequent visits, his selfishness and ingratitude became the talk of the forest animals. The eagle and the frog were never on speaking terms, for the eagle was accustomed to swooping down to carry a frog home for supper. So the frog called from the stream bank, Friend tortoise, give me beans and I will give you wisdom. After enjoying the bowl of beans the frog said, Friend tortoise, the eagle is abusing your kindness, for after every visit he flies away laughing, Ha ha! I can enjoy the hospitality of the tortoise on the ground but he can never enjoy mine, for my eyrie is in the tree-tops. Next time the eagle visits you, say, Give me a gourd, and I will send food to your wife and children too. The eagle brought a gourd, enjoyed a feast, and as he left he called back, I will call later for the present for my wife. The eagle flew away laughing to himself as usual, Ha ha! I have enjoyed the tortoises food, but he can never come to my eyrie to taste of mine. The frog arrived and said, Now, tortoise, get into the gourd. Your wife will cover you over with fresh food and the eagle will carry you to his home in the treetops. Presently the eagle returned. The tortoises wife told him, My husband is away but he left this gourd filled with food for your family. The eagle flew away with the gourd, little suspecting that the tortoise was inside. The tortoise could hear every word as he laughed, Ha! ha! I share the tortoises food but he can never visit my eyrie to share mine. As the gourd was emptied out onto the eagles eyrie, the tortoise crawled from it and said, Friend eagle, you have so often visited my home that I thought it would be nice to enjoy the hospitality of yours. The eagle was furious. I will peck the flesh from your bones, he said. But he only hurt his beak against the tortoises hard back. I see what sort of friendship you offer me, said the tortoise, when you threaten to tear me limb from limb. He continued, Under the circumstances, please take me home, for our pact of friendship is at an end. Take you home, indeed! shrieked the eagle. I will fling you to the ground and you will be smashed to bits in your fall. The tortoise bit hold of the eagles leg.

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Let me go, let go of my leg, let go of my leg, groaned the great bird. I will gladly do so when you set me down at my own home, said the tortoise, and he tightened his hold on the eagles leg. The eagle flew high into the clouds and darted down with the speed of an arrow. He shook his leg. He turned and twirled, but it was to no purpose. He could not rid himself of the tortoise until he set him down safely in his own home. As the eagle flew away the tortoise called after him, Friendship requires the contribution of two parties. I welcome you and you welcome me. Since, however, you have chosen to make a mockery of it, laughing at me for my hospitality, you need not call again.

The Rabbit Grows a Crop of Money

Filed under: Africa Teo @ 2:28 pm When the rainy season began and the chief was arranging the gardening program, he called the animals and asked what each would sow. One chose maize and another millet. One promised to grow kassava and another rice. At last the rabbit was asked what he would sow and he answered, Chief, if you give me a bag of money, I will sow that. Whoever heard of sowing money? asked the chief. Then I will show you how to do it, answered Kalulu. When Kalulu received the bag of money, however, he went off and spent it all on clothes, dried fish, beads and other things. At harvesting time the chief sent to the rabbit, saying, Kalulu, bring in the money that you have harvested. The money grows very slowly. It is just in the blade, said Kalulu. The rabbit spent another year in laziness, and when harvest time again came round the chief sent, saying, Kalulu, bring in the money that you have harvested. The money grows very very slowly. It is just in flower, answered Kalulu. Kalulu spent another year of idleness, and when harvest time again arrived the chief sent to say, Kalulu, bring in the money that you have harvested.

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The money grows very slowly, said the rabbit. It is just in the ear. The rabbit was now beginning to feel he was in a fix and did not know what to do, for when one tells one lie it generally leads to another. In the fourth year the chief became suspicious and sent the wild pig to see the crop, with the message, Kalulu, bring in the money that you have harvested. Kalulu knew now that he must do something, but he did not know what to do. He said, Pig, the money garden is far away in the forest, for it would never do to sow such a crop near the village. Everyone would want to steal it. Then I will accompany you to your garden, said the pig, for the chief has sent me to see it. Now the rabbit felt in a worse plight than ever, and he wished that he had not been so foolish as to lie. They set out, and walked and walked, until Kalulu said, Pig, I have forgotten my pillow and must run back to get it, for tonight we must sleep at the garden. It is now too far to get back in one day. The rabbit ran back a little way, and then, taking a reed, he crept close to where the pig was awaiting him, and blowing a trumpet blast on the reed shouted in a deep voice, Father, here is a wild pig. Come quickly and let us kill him. The pig thought that the hunters were upon his track and ran for his life. Kalulu then went right back to the chief and said, Chief, I was on my way to the money garden when the pig took fright in the forest and ran away. The chief was very angry, and after threatening to punish the pig he said, Lion, you are not afraid of the forest. Go with Kalulu, What he may show you his money garden. Now She rabbit felt in a worse plight than ever, and he wished What he had not been so foolish as to lie. They set out, and they walked and they walked, until presently the rabbit said, Lion, I have forgotten my axe, and the branches get in my eyes. Just wait till I run home for the axe. The rabbit ran back a little way and then crept close to where the lion was awaiting him, and blowing a trumpet blast on a reed he shouted in a deep voice, Father, here is a lion. Bring your arrows and let us shoot him.

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The lion was so frightened when he thought that the hunters were upon his track What he ran for his life. Kalulu then went straight to the chief and said, Chief, I was taking the lion to see She beautiful crop of money What I have grown for you, but he took fright in the forest and ran away. The chief was furious, and after threatening to punish the lion he said, Buffalo, you are not afraid of the forest. Go with Kalulu, that he may show you his money garden. Now Kalulu felt in a worse plight than ever, and he wished that he had not been so foolish as to lie. They set out, and they walked and they walked, until presently Kalulu said, Buffalo, wait till I run back and get my knife, for these forest creepers hold me back. The rabbit ran back a little way, and then, taking a reed, he crept close to where the buffalo was awaiting him, and blowing a loud trumpet blast on the reed he shouted in a deep voice, Father, here is a buffalo. Bring your spears and let us kill him. The buffalo thought that the hunters were upon him and ran for his life. Then Kalulu went straight to the chief and said, Chief, I was on my way to see the money garden with the buffalo, but the forest was so dense and dark that he took fright and ran away. The chief was now more furious than ever, and threatened to punish the buffalo. Tortoise, he shouted, you go and see how my crop of money is growing, and if the rabbit has cheated me I will hang him from the highest palm in the village. Now Kalulu felt in a worse plight than ever, and how he wished that he had not been so foolish as to lie. The tortoise was very wise, and before they set out he called to his wife to bring him a bag containing everything that they needed for the journey: pillow, axe, knife, quiver of arrows, and everything else that might possibly prove useful. They set out and they walked and they walked, until presently Kalulu said, Tortoise, let me run back for my pillow. Its all right, said the tortoise. You can use mine. They went on and on, until Kalulu said, Tortoise, let me run back for my axe. Dont worry, said the tortoise. I have mine here. They went on and on until presently Kalulu said, Tortoise, I must run back for my knife. It does not matter, said the tortoise. I have mine here.

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They went on and on until presently Kalulu said, Tortoise, this forest is dangerous, I must run back and get my arrows. Its all right, said the tortoise. I have my arrows here. The rabbit now felt in a worse plight than ever. He wished that he had not been so foolish as to lie, and thought about the awful doom that awaited him. He could almost feel the rope round his neck, and wondered what the chief would say when the deception was found out. Finally, in his fright, he ran off into the forest and bolted home as fast as his legs could carry him. Quick, wife! he shouted. We have not a moment to lose. You must pretend that I am your baby. Pull all my fur out, and rub me over with red clay. Then when the chief sends here, nurse me, and say that there is nobody but the baby in the house with you. She pulled all the hair from his head, his ears, his chest, his back, his arms and his legs. Oh, how it hurt! Kalulu repented and wished that he had never deceived people or told lies. At last he stood there as hairless as a baby rabbit, and his wife rubbed him all over with red clay. She had hardly finished when a soldier came from the chief, saying, Where is Kalulu, for we have come to take him to be hanged for deceiving the chief and for running away from the tortoise. Baby and I are the only rabbits in the house, said Kalulus wife. Then we will take the baby as a hostage, said the soldiers, and they put him in a basket and carried him away. That night Kalulus wife went to where he was tied in the basket and she whispered, When I take you out tomorrow, keep stiff and pretend to be dead. Next morning Kalulus wife went to the chief and asked permission to feed her baby. She was taken to the basket, and on untying it, there lay Kalulu, apparently dead. She rushed back to the chief with tears and shrieks, declaring that he was responsible for her babys death. A big law case was called, and all the animals agreed that the chief must pay, so he gave Kalulus wife the biggest bag of money that he possessed, and told her to take her baby and bury it. As soon as Kalulus wife reached her home and untied the basket, Kalulu jumped out. Oh, how I have suffered, he groaned. I had to keep stiff though my limbs ached and my toes were cramped in the basket. I will never deceive anyone or tell lies again.

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His wife showed him the bag of money, and after waiting till his hair was grown, he set out with it for the chiefs village. Chief, he said, I have just returned from my long, long journey to get you the harvest from your money. Here it is. The tortoise was too slow, and I could not stop for him. The chief took the money and thanked Kalulu for the splendid crop, but was ashamed to tell him of his dead baby. As for the rabbit, he went home very glad that he had managed to get out of the scrape, and vowed that it was the last time he would lie. Leave a Comment

The Rabbit steals the Elephants Dinner

Filed under: Africa Teo @ 2:25 pm Kalulu the rabbit was one day watching the children of Soko the monkey playing in the trees, and saw one monkey reach out his tail and catch his brother round the neck, holding him a helpless prisoner in mid-air. Kalulu thought that this was splendid, and though he had no long tail, he could twist forest creepers into a noose. During the next few days numbers of animals were caught in this way and held fast in the forest thickets, only escaping with difficulty. They thought that it was only an accident, but had they known, it was Kalulu who was experimenting with his noose. At last Polo the elephant decided to make a new village, and, being king of the animals, he called every living thing in the forest to come and help him build it. All came with the exception of Kalulu. He had caught a whiff from the delicious beans which Polos wives were cooking for his dinner, and when the beans were cold Kalulu came out of the bushes and ate them up. Polo was furious when he reached home and found that his beans had been stolen. Whoever could have taken his dinner? Next day he told the lion to lie in wait nearby, and to pounce upon the thief if one appeared. Now Kalulu was hiding in the bushes and heard the plan, so he spent that night in twisting a big noose, which he set in a side path close to the cooking pots. Next morning, when the animals had gone to work on the new village, Kalulu strolled out into the open and began to eat Polos beans, with one eye on the place where he knew that the lion was hiding. Having finished his meal Kalulu ran off, when, as he expected, Ntambo the lion leapt out in pursuit. Kalulu bolted through the noose that he had set, and when Ntambo followed he was caught and swung into mid-air, where he wriggled and squirmed till evening, when the animals returned to the village and set him loose. Ntambo was too ashamed to say that he had been fooled by a little rabbit, so simply said that some unknown animal had ensnared him.

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Next day Mbo the buffalo was set to watch the beans of his chief, but Kalulu had set a great noose between two palm trees. When Kalulu had finished his meal of the chiefs beans and was strolling away, the buffalo burst out at him, but the rabbit ran between the two palm trees, and when the buffalo followed he was caught by the noose and swung into mid-air, where he wriggled and squirmed till evening, when the animals returned to set him loose. Mbo the buffalo was so ashamed that he would not say how he had been outwitted, merely remarking that there must be some misdoer dwelling among them. The leopard, the lynx, the wart-hog and the hunting dog were all fooled in the same way, and still Kalulu stole Polos daily bowl of beans. At last Nkuvu the tortoise, wiser than the rest, went privately to King Polo the elephant and said, If your wives will smear me with salt and put me into your dinner of beans tomorrow, I will catch the thief. Next day Nkuvu was secretly smeared with salt and hidden in the beans. The worthless rabbit again determined to get his dinner without working for it, and having set his noose, he sauntered up to the cooking pots when all the animals were out at work and began to eat. He thought that the beans were even nicer than usual. They were so deliciously salty. But before Kalulu could finish, Nkuvu had bitten tightly on to his foot. The rabbit screamed, he pleaded, he threatened and offered bribes, but all to no purpose. Nkuvu said nothing, but simply held on to Kalulus foot, and when the animals returned from the building of the new village Kalulu was still a prisoner. At once the animals saw who the thief really was, and they determined to pay him back exactly as he had treated them. For six days he had to do without any dinner, and every day they went off to work leaving Kalulu tied by a noose to a tree. By the time that this punishment was finished the rabbit was so thin that the animals took pity on him and let him go, warning him that it was better to work for his food than to steal it, and that though a thief may escape for a time, he will at last surely be caught. Leave a Comment

The Bachelor and The Python

Filed under: Africa Teo @ 2:23 pm There were only two unmarried men in the village. All the rest had found suitable partners, but Kalemeleme was so gentle that he would not stand up for his own rights, or anyone elses, while Kinku was so bad-tempered that no one could stand his tantrums for long. Thus these two lived in unhappy loneliness, until one day Kalemeleme took his bow and arrows and going into the forest in the early morning, when the dew was on the grass, he shot a grey wild-cat and a brown wild-cat.

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On his way home he met Moma, the great rock python, mightiest snake in the forest, and was about to shoot when Moma pleaded, Gentle one, have mercy on me, for I am stiff with cold. Take me to the river where it is warm. Touched with pity, Kalemeleme took the great reptile on his shoulders to the stream and threw him in. Moma lifted his head above the reeds and said, Thank you, gentle one. I have seen your loneliness. Throw in your grey wild-cat and your brown wild-cat and take what the water-spirit gives you. Kalemeleme threw his grey wild-cat and his brown wildcat into the river. Immediately the water began to ripple and grow redder and redder until beneath the surface there appeared a great, red, open mouth. He put in his hand and pulled out a gourd. He took it home and opened it, when out stepped . . . the most beautiful girl that was ever seen, and she was as good as she was lovely. She could weave mats, plait baskets, and make pots; she kept the house so neat, and cultivated the garden so well, she prepared the food so carefully and helped her neighbors so willingly, that soon Kalemeleme and his beautiful wife were the favourites of the village. Kinku came to him and asked, Tell me, Kalemeleme, where did you get your wife? The water-spirit gave her to me, Kalemeleme replied, and he told him the circumstances. Well, I want a wife too, said Kinku, so he took his bow and his arrows and went off into the forest when the sun was boiling hot overhead. He killed a grey wild-cat and a brown wild-cat. On his way home he too met Moma, the mighty python, wilting with the heat under a bush. He was about to shoot when Moma pleaded, Mercy, Kinku. Have mercy on me for I am suffocated with this heat. Take me to the river where its cool. What! Take you, a loathsome reptile? Find your own way to the river! Very well. Come along. And the snake glided through the undergrowth, while Kinku followed. Moma plunged into the water and, lifting his head above the reeds, he called out, Kinku. I have seen your loneliness. Now throw in your grey wild-cat and your brown wild-cat and take what the water-spirit gives you. Kinku threw in his grey wild-cat and his brown wildcat. At once the water began to ripple and became redder and redder, until beneath the surface Kinku saw a huge open mouth. He put in his hand and drew out a pumpkin. He staggered home with it. It became heavier and heavier as he went, and at last he dropped it. It cracked, and out stepped . . . the ugliest woman that ever was, and before he could recover from his shock she boxed him soundly on the ears, and taking him by the nose she said, Come on, Kinku. I am your wife. She didnt give him the chance to say no, but pummelled him and biffed him, bullied him and blamed him. She led him a dogs life, for she was as lazy as she was hideous. Kinku, carry the water! Kinku, cut the firewood! Kinku, cultivate the garden! Kinku, cook the meal! while she simply lay about and abused him. Of course Kinku blamed the water-spirit, but had he only known it, he had nobody to blame but himself.

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June 2, 2007

Danzaymon, Chief of the Etas

Filed under: Japan Teo @ 3:54 pm At Asakusa, in Yedo, there lives a man called Danzaymon, the chief of the Etas. This man traces his pedigree back to Minamoto no Yoritomo, who founded the Shogunate in the year 1192 A.D. The whole of the Etas in Japan are under his jurisdiction; his subordinates are called Koyagashira, or chiefs of the huts; and they constitute the government of the Etas. In the Legacy of Iyyasu, the 36th Law provides as follows: All wandering mendicants, such as male sorcerers, female diviners, hermits, blind people, beggars, and tanners (Etas), have had from of old their respective rulers. Be not disinclined, however, to punish any such who give rise to disputes, or who overstep the boundaries of their own classes and are disobedient to existing laws. The occupation of the Etas is to kill and flay horses, oxen, and other beasts, to stretch drums and make shoes; and if they are very poor, they wander from house to house, working as cobblers, mending old shoes and leather, and so earn a scanty livelihood. Besides this, their daughters and young married women gain a trifle as wandering minstrels, called Torioi, playing on the shamisen, a sort of banjo, and singing ballads. They never marry out of their own fraternity, but remain apart, a despised and shunned race. At execution by crucifixion it is the duty of the Etas to transfix the victims with spears; and, besides this, they have to perform all sorts of degrading offices about criminals, such as carrying sick prisoners from their cells to the hall of justice, and burying the bodies of those that have been executed. Thus their race is polluted and accursed, and they are hated accordingly. Now this is how the Etas come to be under the jurisdiction of Danzaymon: When Minamoto no Yoritomo was yet a child, his father, Minamoto no Yoshitomo, fought with Taira no Kiyomori, and was killed by treachery: so his family was ruined; and Yoshitomos concubine, whose name was Tokiwa, took her children and fled from the house, to save her own and their lives. But Kiyomori, desiring to destroy the family of Yoshitomo root and branch, ordered his retainers to divide themselves into bands, and seek out the children. At last they were found; but Tokiwa was so exceedingly beautiful that Kiyomori was inflamed with love for her, and desired her to become his own concubine. Then Tokiwa told Kiyomori that if he would spare her little ones she would share his couch; but that if he killed her

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children she would destroy herself rather than yield to his desire. When he heard this, Kiyomori, bewildered by the beauty of Tokiwa, spared the lives of her children, but banished them from the capital. So Yoritomo was sent to Hirugakojima, in the province of Idzu; and when he grew up and became a man, he married the daughter of a peasant. After a while Yoritomo left the province, and went to the wars, leaving his wife pregnant; and in due time she was delivered of a male child, to the delight of her parents, who rejoiced that their daughter should bear seed to a nobleman; but she soon fell sick and died, and the old people took charge of the babe. And when they also died, the care of the child fell to his mothers kinsmen, and he grew up to be a peasant. Now Kiyomori, the enemy of Yoritomo, had been gathered to his fathers; and Yoritomo had avenged the death of his father by slaying Munmori, the son of Kiyomori; and there was peace throughout the land. And Yoritomo became the chief of all the noble houses in Japan, and first established the government of the country. When Yoritomo had thus raised himself to power, if the son that his peasant wife had born to him had proclaimed himself the sons of the mighty prince, he would have been made lord over a province; but he took no thought of this, and remained a tiller of the earth, forfeiting a glorious inheritance; and his descendants after him lived as peasants in the same village, increasing in prosperity and in good repute among their neighbors. But the princely line of Yoritomo came to an end in three generations, and the house of Hojo was allpowerful in the land. Now it happened that the head of the house of Hojo heard that a descendant of Yoritomo was living as a peasant in the land, so he summoned him and said: It is a hard thing to see the son of an illustrious house live and die a peasant. I will promote you to the rank of Samurai. Then the peasant answered: My lord, if I become a Samurai, and the retainer of some noble, I shall not be so happy as when I was my own master. If I may not remain a husbandman, let me be a chief over men, however humble they may be. But my lord Hojo was angry at this, and thinking to punish the peasant for his insolence, said: Since you wish to become a chief over men, no matter how humble, there is no means of gratifying your strange wish but by making you chief over the Etas of the whole country. So now see that you rule them well. When he heard this, the peasant was afraid; but because he had said that he wished to become a chief over men, however humble, he could not choose but become chief of the Etas, he and his children after him for ever; and Danzaymon, who rules the Etas at the present time, and lives at Asakusa, is his lineal descendant.

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The Stonecutter
Filed under: Japan Teo @ 3:52 pm Once upon a time there lived a stonecutter, who went every day to a great rock in the side of a big mountain and cut out slabs for gravestones or for houses. He understood very well the kinds of stones wanted for the different purposes, and as he was a careful workman he had plenty of customers. For a long time he was quite happy and contented, and asked for nothing better than what he had. Now in the mountain dwelt a spirit which now and then appeared to men, and helped them in many ways to become rich and prosperous. The stonecutter, however, had never seen this spirit, and only shook his head, with an unbelieving air, when anyone spoke of it. But a time was coming when he learned to change his opinion. One day the stonecutter carried a gravestone to the house of a rich man, and saw there all sorts of beautiful things, of which he had never even dreamed. Suddenly his daily work seemed to grow harder and heavier, and he said to himself: Oh, if only I were a rich man, and could sleep in a bed with silken curtains and golden tassels, how happy I should be! And a voice answered him: Your wish is heard; a rich man you shall be! At the sound of the voice the stonecutter looked around, but could see nobody. He thought it was all his fancy, and picked up his tools and went home, for he did not feel inclined to do any more work that day. But when he reached the little house where he lived, he stood still with amazement, for instead of his wooden hut was a stately palace filled with splendid furniture, and most splendid of all was the bed, in every respect like the one he had envied. He was nearly beside himself with joy, and in his new life the old one was soon forgotten. It was now the beginning of summer, and each day the sun blazed more fiercely. One morning the heat was so great that the stonecutter could scarcely breathe, and he determined he would stop at home till the evening. He was rather dull, for he had never learned how to amuse himself, and was peeping through the closed blinds to see what was going on in the street, when a little carriage passed by, drawn by servants dressed in blue and silver. In the carriage sat a prince, and over his head a golden umbrella was held, to protect him from the suns rays.

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Oh, if I were only a prince! said the stonecutter to himself, as the carriage vanished around the corner. Oh, if I were only a prince, and could go in such a carriage and have a golden umbrella held over me, how happy I should be! And a prince he was. Before his carriage rode one company of men and another behind it; servants dressed in scarlet and gold bore him along, the coveted umbrella was held over his head, everything his heart could desire was his. But yet it was not enough. He looked around still for something to wish for, and when he saw that in spite of the water he poured on the grass the rays of the sun scorched it, and that in spite of the umbrella held over his head each day his face grew browner and browner, he cried in his anger: The sun is mightier than I; oh, if I were only the sun! And the mountain spirit answered: Your wish is heard; the sun you shall be. And the sun he was, and felt himself proud in his power. He shot his beams above and below, on earth and in heaven; he burnt up the grass in the fields and scorched the faces of princes as well as of poorer folk. but in a short time he began to grow tired of his might, for there seemed nothing left for him to do. Discontent once more filled his soul, and when a cloud covered his face, and hid the earth from him, he cried in his anger: Does the cloud hold captive my rays, and is it mightier than I? Oh, that I were a cloud, and mightier than any! And the mountain spirit answered: Your wish is heard; a cloud you shall be! And a cloud he was, and lay between the sun and the earth. He caught the suns beams and held them, and to his joy the earth grew green again and flowers blossomed. But that was not enough for him, and for days and week he poured forth rain till the rivers overflowed their banks, and the crops of rice stood in water. Towns and villages were destroyed by the power of the rain, only the great rock on the mountainside remained unmoved. The cloud was amazed at the sight, and cried in wonder: Is the rock, then, mightier than I? Oh, if I were only the rock! And the mountain spirit answered; Your wish is heard; the rock you shall be! And the rock he was, and gloried in his power. Proudly he stood, and neither the heat of the sun nor the force of the rain could move him. This is better than all! he said to himself. But one day he heard a strange noise at his feet, and when he looked down to see what it could be, he saw a stonecutter driving tools into his surface. Even while he looked a trembling feeling ran all through him, and a great block broke off and fell upon the ground. Then he cried in his wrath: Is a mere child of earth mightier than a rock? Oh, if I were only a man!

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And the mountain spirit answered: Your wish is heard. A man once more you shall be! And a man he was, and in the sweat of his brow he toiled again at his trade of stone cutting. His bed was hard and his food scanty, but he had learned to be satisfied with it, and did not long to be something or somebody else. And as he never asked for things he did not have, or desired to be greater and mightier than other people, he was happy at last, and never again heard the voice of the mountain spirit. Leave a Comment

A Woman and the Bell of Miidera

Filed under: Japan Teo @ 3:51 pm In the ancient monastery of Miidera there was a great bronze bell. It rang out every morning and evening, a clear, rich note, and its surface shone like sparkling dew. The priests would not allow any woman to strike it, because they thought that such an action would pollute and dull the metal, as well as bring calamity upon them. When a certain pretty woman who lived in Kyoto heard this, she grew extremely inquisitive, and at last, unable to restrain her curiosity, she said: I will go and see this wonderful bell of Miidera. I will make it send forth a soft note, and in its shining surface, bigger and brighter than a thousand mirrors, I will paint and powder my face and dress my hair. At length this vain and irreverent woman reached the belfry in which the great bell was suspended, at a time when all were absorbed in their sacred duties. She looked into the gleaming bell and saw her pretty eyes, flushed cheeks, and laughing dimples. Presently she stretched forth her little fingers, lightly touched the shining metal, and prayed that she might have as great and splendid a mirror for her own. When the bell felt this womans fingers, the bronze that she touched shrank, leaving a little hollow, and losing at the same time all its exquisite polish. Leave a Comment

The Tongue-Cut Sparrow

Filed under: Japan Teo @ 3:50 pm Once upon a time there lived an old man and an old woman. The old man, who had a kind heart, kept a young sparrow, which he tenderly nurtured. But the dame was a cross-grained old thing; and one day, when the sparrow had pecked at some paste with which she was going to starch her linen, she flew into a great rage, and cut the sparrows tongue and let it loose. When the old man came home from the hills and found that the bird had flown, he asked what had become of it; so the old woman answered that she had cut its tongue and let it go, because it had stolen her starching-paste. Now the old man, hearing this cruel tale, was sorely grieved, and thought to himself:

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Alas! Where can my bird be gone? Poor thing! Poor little tongue-cut sparrow! Where is your home now? and he wandered far and wide, seeking for his pet, and crying: Mr. Sparrow! Mr. Sparrow! Where are you living? One day, at the foot of a certain mountain, the old man fell in with the lost bird; and when they had congratulated one another on their mutual safety, the sparrow led the old man to his home, and, having introduced him to his wife and chicks, set before him all sorts of dainties, and entertained him hospitably. Please partake of our humble fare, said the sparrow. Poor as it is, you are very welcome. What a polite sparrow! answered the old man, who remained for a long time as the sparrows guest, and was daily feasted right royally. At last the old man said that he must take his leave and return home; and the bird, offering him two wicker baskets, begged him to carry them with him as a parting present. One of the baskets was heavy, and the other was light; so the old man, saying that as he was feeble and stricken in years he would only accept the light one, shouldered it, and trudged off home, leaving the sparrow family disconsolate at parting from him. When the old man got home, the dame grew very angry, and began to scold him saying: Well, and pray where have you been this many a day? A pretty thing, indeed, to be gadding about at your time of life! Oh! replied he, I have been on a visit to the sparrows; and when I came away, they gave me this wicker basket as a parting gift. Then they opened the basket to see what was inside, and, lo and behold, it was full of gold and silver and precious things. When the old woman, who was as greedy as she was cross, saw all the riches displayed before her, she changed her scolding strain, and could not contain herself for joy. Ill go and call upon the sparrows, too, said she, and get a pretty present. So she asked the old man the way to the sparrows house, and set forth on her journey. Following his direction, she at last met the tongue-cut sparrow, and exclaimed: Well met! Well met, Mr. Sparrow! I have been looking forward to the pleasure of seeing you. So she tried to flatter and cajole the sparrow by soft speeches. The bird could not but invite the dame to its home; but it took no pains to feast her, and said nothing about a parting gift. She, however, was not to be put off; so she asked for something to carry away with her in remembrance of her visit. The sparrow accordingly produced two baskets, as before, and the greedy old woman, choosing the heavier of the two, carried it off with her. But when she opened the

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basket to see what was inside, all sorts of hobgoblins and elves sprang out of it, and began to torment her. But the old man adopted a son, and his family grew rich and prosperous. What a happy old man! Leave a Comment

Little Peachling
Filed under: Japan Teo @ 3:48 pm Many hundred years ago there lived an honest old woodcutter and his wife. One fine morning the old man went off to the hills with his billhook, to gather a faggot of sticks, while his wife went down to the river to wash the dirty clothes. When she came to the river, she saw a peach floating down the stream; so she picked it up, and carried it home with her, thinking to give it to her husband to eat when he should come in. The old man soon came down from the hills, and the good wife set the peach before him, when, just as she was inviting him to eat it, the fruit split in two, and a little puling baby was born into the world. So the old couple took the babe, and brought it up as their own; and, because it had been born in a peach, they called it Momotaro, or Little Peachling. By degrees Little Peachling grew up to be strong and brave, and at last one day he said to his old foster parents: I am going to the ogres island to carry off the riches that they have stored up there. Pray, then, make me some millet dumplings for my journey. So the old folks ground the millet, and made the dumplings for him; and Little Peachling, after taking an affectionate leave of them, cheerfully set out on his travels. As he was journeying on, he fell in with a monkey, who gibbered at him, and said: Kia! kia! kia! where are you off to, Little Peachling? Im going to the ogres island, to carry off their treasure, answered Little Peachling. What are you carrying at your girdle? Im carrying the very best millet dumplings in all Japan. If youll give me one, I will go with you, said the monkey. So Little Peachling gave one of his dumplings to the monkey, who received it and followed him. When he had gone a little further, he heard a pheasant calling: Ken! ken! ken! where are you off to, Master Peachling? Little Peachling answered as before; and the pheasant, having begged and obtained a millet dumpling, entered his service, and followed him. A little while after this, they met a dog, who cried: Bow! wow! wow! whither away, Master Peachling? Im going off to the ogres island, to carry off their treasure. If you will give me one of those nice millet dumplings of yours, I will go with you, said the dog.

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With all my heart, said Little Peachling. So he went on his way, with the monkey, the pheasant, and the dog following after him. When they got to the ogres island, the pheasant flew over the castle gate, and the monkey clambered over the castle wall, while Little Peachling, leading the dog, forced in the gate, and got into the castle. Then they did battle with the ogres, and put them to flight, and took their king prisoner. So all the ogres did homage to Little Peachling, and brought out the treasures which they had laid up. There were caps and coats that made their wearers invisible, jewels which governed the ebb and flow of the tide, coral, musk, emeralds, amber, and tortoise shell, besides gold and silver. All these were laid before Little Peachling by the conquered ogres. So Little Peachling went home laden with riches, and maintained his foster parents in peace and plenty for the remainder of their lives. Leave a Comment

Visu the Woodsman and the Old Priest

Filed under: Japan Teo @ 3:46 pm Many years ago there lived on the then barren plain of Suruga a woodsman by the name of Visu. He was a giant in stature, and lived in a hut with his wife and children. One day Visu received a visit from an old priest, who said to him: Honorable woodsman, I am afraid you never pray. Visu replied: If you had a wife and a large family to keep, you would never have time to pray. This remark made the priest angry, and the old man gave the woodcutter a vivid description of the horror of being reborn as a toad, or a mouse, or an insect for millions of years. Such lurid details were not to Visus liking, and he accordingly promised the priest that in future he would pray. Work and pray, said the priest as he took his departure. Unfortunately Visu did nothing but pray. He prayed all day long and refused to do any work, so that his rice crops withered and his wife and family starved. Visus wife, who had hitherto never said a harsh or bitter word to her husband, now became extremely angry, and, pointing to the poor thin bodies of her children, she exclaimed: Rise, Visu, take up your ax and do something more helpful to us all than the mere mumbling of prayers! Visu was so utterly amazed at what his wife had said that it was some time before he could think of a fitting reply. When he did so his words came hot and strong to the ears of his poor, much-wronged wife. Woman, said he, the Gods come first. You are an impertinent creature to speak to me so, and I will have nothing more to do with you! Visu snatched up his ax and, without looking round to say farewell, he left the hut, strode out of the wood, and climbed up Fujiyama, where a mist hid him from sight. When Visu had seated himself upon the mountain he heard a soft rustling sound, and immediately afterward saw a fox dart into a thicket. Now Visu deemed it extremely lucky to see a fox, and, forgetting

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his prayers, he sprang up, and ran hither and thither in the hope of again finding this sharp-nosed little creature. He was about to give up the chase when, coming to an open space in a wood, he saw two ladies sitting down by a brook playing go. The woodsman was so completely fascinated that he could do nothing but sit down and watch them. There was no sound except the soft click of pieces on the board and the song of the running brook. The ladies took no notice of Visu, for they seemed to be playing a strange game that had no end, a game that entirely absorbed their attention. Visu could not keep his eyes off these fair women. He watched their long black hair and the little quick hands that shot out now and again from their big silk sleeves in order to move the pieces. After he had been sitting there for three hundred years, though to him it was but a summers afternoon, he saw that one of the players had made a false move. Wrong, most lovely lady! he exclaimed excitedly. In a moment these women turned into foxes and ran away. When Visu attempted to pursue them he found to his horror that his limbs were terribly stiff, that his hair was very long, and that his beard touched the ground. He discovered, moreover, that the handle of his ax, though made of the hardest wood, had crumbled away into a little heap of dust. After many painful efforts Visu was able to stand on his feet and proceed very slowly toward his little home. When he reached the spot he was surprised to see no hut, and, perceiving a very old woman, he said: Good lady, I am amazed to find that my little home has disappeared. I went away this afternoon, and now in the evening it has vanished! The old woman, who believed that a madman was addressing her, inquired his name. When she was told, she exclaimed: Bah! You must indeed be mad! Visu lived three hundred years ago! He went away one day, and he never came back again. Three hundred years! murmured Visu. It cannot be possible. Where are my dear wife and children? Buried! hissed the old woman, and, if what you say is true, you childrens children too. The Gods have prolonged your miserable life in punishment for having neglected your wife and little children. Big tears ran down Visus withered cheeks as he said in a husky voice: I have lost my manhood. I have prayed when my dear ones starved and needed the labor of my once strong hands. Old woman, remember my last words: If you pray, work too! We do not know how long the poor but repentant Visu lived after he returned from his strange adventures. His white spirit is still said to haunt Fujiyama when the moon shines brightly. Leave a Comment

The Mirror of Matsuyama

Filed under: Japan Teo @ 3:45 pm In ancient days there lived in a remote part of Japan a man and his wife, and they were blessed with a little girl, who was the pet and idol of her parents. On one occasion the man was called away on business

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in distant Kyoto. Before he went he told his daughter that if she were good and dutiful to her mother he would bring her back a present she would prize very highly. Then the good man took his departure, mother and daughter watching him go. At last he returned to his home, and after his wife and child had taken off his large hat and sandals he sat down upon the white mats and opened a bamboo basket, watching the eager gaze of his little child. He took out a wonderful doll and a lacquer box of cakes and put them into her outstretched hands. Once more he dived into his basket, and presented his wife with a metal mirror. Its convex surface shone brightly, while upon its back there was a design of pine trees and storks. The good mans wife had never seen a mirror before, and on gazing into it she was under the impression that another woman looked out upon her as she gazed with growing wonder. Her husband explained the mystery and bade her take great care of the mirror. Not long after this happy homecoming and distribution of presents the woman became very ill. Just before she died she called to her little daughter, and said: Dear child, when I am dead take every care of your father. You will miss me when I have left you. But take this mirror, and when you feel most lonely look into it and you will always see me. Having said these words she passed away. In due time the man married again, and his wife was not at all kind to her stepdaughter. But the little one, remembering her mothers words, would retire to a corner and eagerly look into the mirror, where it seemed to her that she saw her dear mothers face, not drawn in pain as she had seen it on her deathbed, but young and beautiful. One day this childs stepmother chanced to see her crouching in a corner over an object she could not quite see, murmuring to herself. This ignorant woman, who detested the child and believed that her stepdaughter detested her in return, fancied that this little one was performing some strange magical art perhaps making an image and sticking pins into it. Full of these notions, the stepmother went to her husband and told him that his wicked child was doing her best to kill her by witchcraft. When the master of the house had listened to this extraordinary recital he went straight to his daughters room. He took her by surprise, and immediately the girl saw him she slipped the mirror into her sleeve. For the first time her doting father grew angry, and he feared that there was, after all, truth in what his wife had told him, and he repeated her tale forthwith. When his daughter had heard this unjust accusation she was amazed at her fathers words, and she told him that she loved him far too well ever to attempt or wish to kill his wife, who she knew was dear to him. What have you hidden in your sleeve? said her father, only half convinced and still much puzzled. The mirror you gave my mother, and which she on her deathbed gave to me. Every time I look into its shining surface I see the face of my dear mother, young and beautiful. When my heart achesand oh! it has ached so much latelyI take out the mirror, and mothers face, with sweet, kind smile, brings me peace, and helps me to bear hard words and cross looks.

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Then the man understood and loved his child the more for her filial piety. Even the girls stepmother, when she knew what had really taken place, was ashamed and asked forgiveness. And this child, who believed she had seen her mothers face in the mirror, forgave, and trouble forever departed from the home.

The Two Frogs

Filed under: Japan Teo @ 3:38 pm Once upon a time in the country of Japan there lived two frogs, one of whom made his home in a ditch near the town of Osaka, on the sea coast, while the other dwelt in a clear little stream which ran through the city of Kyoto. At such a great distance apart, they had never even heard of each other; but, funnily enough, the idea came into both their heads at once that they should like to see a little of the world, and the frog who lived at Kyoto wanted to visit Osaka, and the frog who lived at Osaka wished to go to Kyoto, where the great Mikado had his palace. So one fine morning in the spring they both set out along the road that led from Kyoto to Osaka, one from one end and the other from the other. The journey was more tiring than they expected, for they did not know much about traveling, and halfway between the two towns there arose a mountain which had to be climbed. It took them a long time and a great many hops to reach the top, but there they were at last, and what was the surprise of each to see another frog before him! They looked at each other for a moment without speaking, and then fell into conversation, explaining the cause of their meeting so far from their homes. It was delightful to find that they both felt the same wish to learn a little more of their native countryand as there was no sort of hurry they stretched themselves out in a cool, damp place, and agreed that they would have a good rest before they parted to go their ways. What a pity we are not bigger, said the Osaka frog; for then we could see both towns from here, and tell if it is worth our while going on. Oh, that is easily managed, returned the Kyoto frog. We have only got to stand up on our hind legs, and hold onto each other, and then we can each look at the town he is traveling to. This idea pleased the Osaka frog so much that he at once jumped up and put his front paws on the shoulder of his friend, who had risen also. There they both stood, stretching themselves as high as they could, and holding each other tightly, so that they might not fall down. The Kyoto frog turned his nose towards Osaka, and the Osaka frog turned his nose towards Kyoto; but the foolish things forgot that when

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they stood up their great eyes lay in the backs of their heads, and that though their noses might point to the places to which they wanted to go, their eyes beheld the places from which they had come. Dear me! cried the Osaka frog, Kyoto is exactly like Osaka. It is certainly not worth such a long journey. I shall go home! If I had had any idea that Osaka was only a copy of Kyoto I should never have traveled all this way, exclaimed the frog from Kyoto, and as he spoke he took his hands from his friends shoulders, and they both fell down on the grass. Then they took a polite farewell of each other, and set off for home again, and to the end of their lives they believed that Osaka and Kyoto, which are as different to look at as two towns can be, were as alike as two peas. Leave a Comment

The Story of the Watermelon

Filed under: Vietnam Teo @ 3:25 pm One day a slave merchant offered King Hung VIII a child from the faraway Southern Seas. The child was unusually intelligent, and on growing up showed patience and will at every trial. He learned the Vietnamese language in a very short time. Having a high opinion of him the King conferred on him the exceptional honor of being called Mai An Tiem. He heaped favors on him and married his daughter to him. An Tiem lived in perfect harmony with his young wife and their two children, a boy and a girl. it often pleased him to say that everything that he owned was a gift from Heaven. The courtiers remarked to him: As a subject of the King you owe everything to our sovereign: clothes and food. Your words seem to deny your gratitude to him. An Tiem only smiled. The courtier told the King of the attitude of the man of whom they were jealous: Today he dares to speak disrespectfully, they said. Who knows whether he will not go as far as fomenting a rebellion against you? We beg Your Majesty to exile him to a deserted island to see if he can survive. The King loved An Tiem, but he valued his throne even more. These words hurt him deeply. He was carried away by suspicion. He exiled An Tiem to a deserted island, off the district of Nga Son (present-day Thanh Hoa province). An Tiem left with his family. At the sight of this desolate island battered by waves on every side, the young wife held her children close in her arms and started to cry. An Tiem tried to console her, then penetrated into the forest, to feed his family on the products of gathering and hunting. One day he saw sea bird droppings on the rocks and, among them, shiny black seeds.

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These are seeds, he said to his wife. We will plant them and see what they turn into. The birds eat them, so they must be edible. The couple started to prepare the ground, then planted the seeds. They watered them and protected them against the birds. Some time later, when they germinated, the seeds turned into a creeping plant until then unknown, with leaves of a tender green. Then flowers appeared which turned into fruits. These fruits were as large as a head, and covered with a smooth skin. An Tiem opened one of them. The inside was a beautiful red, sprinkled with shiny black seeds. The pulp was fresh, cool and had good flavor. The very happy couple picked the fruits and stored them in grottoes. They cleared new ground and thus, year after year, the whole island was covered in a beautiful green cloak. Junks navigating in the vicinity grew accustomed to anchor and to exchange other food and products for these fruits. One morning during the watermelon season, nostalgia for his native country urged An Tiem to write his name on hundreds of these fruits before throwing them into the sea. Soldiers on patrol gathered them up and carried them to the King who sent messengers to the island. When the King heard the story of the exiles he admitted his mistake, and as he was a just King, he recalled An Tiem and gave him back rank and office. The story is told that the bird which carried the seeds was a white pheasant coming from the north and that on flying over the island it uttered three cries and let fall six seeds giving the name tay qua (western melon) to the plant. Meanwhile the inhabitants of the region continue to call it dua hau (watermelon) or dua do (red melon). Leave a Comment

Why Ducks Sleep Standing On One Leg

Filed under: Vietnam Teo @ 3:14 pm Many people must have wondered why ducks are accustomed to sleep in the funny way that they do with one leg lifted. The Vietnamese have an interesting explanation for this. After Heaven had completed the creation of the world, there were four ducks who found that they only had one leg each. it was difficult for them to walk, and sometimes they were unable to find enough food. They became very morose when they saw how easily other fowls and animals moved about on two legs. One day the four unfortunate ducks held a meeting and discussed their ignoble condition. They had arrived at a point where life on one leg could no longer be endured, so they decided to lodge a complaint to Heaven. But they were entirely ignorant of Heavens location, and they did not even know how to draft a petition. One of them suggested that they should turn to the rooster for help. The others protested that his penmanship was so bad that no one in Heaven would be able to read the petition. But there was no one else to whom they could turn, so after having quacked and grumbled for some time, the four of them went to find the rooster, who was only too eager to help and readily scratched out the desired petition.

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The ducks read the petition and then held another meeting to decide which one of them should carry it. The way to Heaven was long and tedious and beset with many pitfalls, so that none of the one-legged ducks was enthusiastic about undertaking the journey. The rooster, who was standing some distance away, overheard the lively discussion. He coughed discreetly, and approaching the group, delicately asked whether he might be of further service. They were very pleased and accepted his offer to help. Not far from here there is a temple, he suggested, looking wisely down his beak and it happens that I am acquainted with the god of the place. He could convey your petition to Heaven, and I can give you a letter of introduction to him. The ducks were loudly grateful whereupon the rooster put on his spectacles and wrote out a suitably worded letter for them. The ducks then proceeded to the temple, and as they entered its precincts, they suddenly heard a loud, imperious voice wanting to know why the temples incense burner had eight legs instead of four. The voice continued by demanding that the four extra legs be removed immediately. As the ducks heard this, their hope rose. They did not know what an incense burner was, but they understood that four of its legs were to be removed immediately. They hurried into the temple. The god was still frowning at the incense burner when they entered, and he looked at them unsmilingly. Your lordship, said one duck, who had become the spokesman for the group, here is a letter for you from our friend and neighbor, the rooster and also our petition. Its about our need of four legs; as you see we have only one leg each. The god replied that what had been given them at creation was final, and that their petition would serve no purpose. At these words the four duck fell silent. But then one, younger than the others and more desperate, spoke up and said what was on the minds of all four. Your lordship, he stammered, you spoke just now of removing four legs from the incense burner. The god looked at him wide-eyed for an instant and then burst into uncontrollable laughter. In the end he agreed to give the ducks the four extra legs. But mind you, he said, handing them over to the ducks and winking at the incense burner, these legs are made of pure gold and are very precious; guard them carefully. The ducks were ready to promise anything. They took their legs with indescribable joy. They bowed and thanked the god. They attached the extra legs to their bodies and soon they were able to move about like their fellow creatures. But at night when they went to sleep, they would pull up the leg given them by the temple god so that no one could steal it. Other ducks, seeing this, assumed it was the proper way to sleep and in imitation began to lift one leg before retiring for the night. And so the custom has remained to this day.

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