Reading Notes: Chinese Fairy Tales, Part B
The first story of this section was very similar to the last story of the previous section. At first, I enjoyed this one more. The little men were civil and not hateful. The little hunting dog was a nice pet for the scholar. They were exactly what the other needed. I hate that the little dog got squashed. The man was a scholar. You can't tell me that he genuinely didn't think sleeping in the same bed could be dangerous. When I was a little kid, I played with Barbies and I dreamt a lot about having a living Barbie friend I could fit in my pocket and take with me everywhere. I'd like to combine these ideas into a story of my own.
The next story was nice. A man is able to make a great living because he stole from a magic fox. I don't understand why the fox couldn't take him on. He was magical but the man was just a man. He must've been more generous than let on.
I thought it was interesting that the foxes were tricksters in this story. This is apparently a theme common across many cultures. The story felt a bit disconnected. It was more like a few small stories tied together to form a larger one. I don't know if I like this style, but it might be something interestingly different to try in the future.
The next story was one that comes full circle. I found this very satisfying. It was also based on the idea of reincarnation and karma. I wonder if the old man and water carrier had been engaged in centuries long battles. Maybe they had fought in multiple lives before the ones the protagonist witnessed.
I like the style of the next one. It was like a ghost story, except you don't know it's a ghost story until the end.
The next two stories tell of flying ogres. I don't understand why everyone hates them. They look pretty normal most of the time. The first one was just trying to find a wife and the second was fleeing for her life.
What kind of person is willing to sacrifice someone else's life for profit?? I can't believe Si-Men Bau took pity on one of the sorcerers. I would've happily "married them off" to the river god. Surely such generosity would keep him sated for many years. I would rewrite this story in that way.
Bibliography: The Chinese Fairy Book by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens, link to the reading online.
The next story was nice. A man is able to make a great living because he stole from a magic fox. I don't understand why the fox couldn't take him on. He was magical but the man was just a man. He must've been more generous than let on.
I thought it was interesting that the foxes were tricksters in this story. This is apparently a theme common across many cultures. The story felt a bit disconnected. It was more like a few small stories tied together to form a larger one. I don't know if I like this style, but it might be something interestingly different to try in the future.
(Image Information: Fox
Source: Pixabay)
The next story was one that comes full circle. I found this very satisfying. It was also based on the idea of reincarnation and karma. I wonder if the old man and water carrier had been engaged in centuries long battles. Maybe they had fought in multiple lives before the ones the protagonist witnessed.
I like the style of the next one. It was like a ghost story, except you don't know it's a ghost story until the end.
The next two stories tell of flying ogres. I don't understand why everyone hates them. They look pretty normal most of the time. The first one was just trying to find a wife and the second was fleeing for her life.
What kind of person is willing to sacrifice someone else's life for profit?? I can't believe Si-Men Bau took pity on one of the sorcerers. I would've happily "married them off" to the river god. Surely such generosity would keep him sated for many years. I would rewrite this story in that way.
Bibliography: The Chinese Fairy Book by R. Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens, link to the reading online.
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