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Unit 3 Reading Questions (Fairy Tales II)

The final assignment for this unit is different from the past assignments, so please read the instructions carefully!

As always, you must carefully read all of the assigned texts in the unit, and each answer should be 1-2 paragraphs. You must draft, revise, and proofread in order to develop strong paragraphs. 

The questions are split into two parts, and the tasks in each part are slightly different. For Part I, you will compare the three versions of “Cinderella” that you read in this unit. For Part II, you must choose your favorite fairy tale from Unit 2 and one modern adaptation of that fairy tale. You must read or watch that adaptation in its entirety (even if you have read or watched it before). 

You are welcome to compare any two works (as long as one is an original fairy tale and one is a modernization), but if you need some direction, here are some suggested pairings…

· Isadora’s Rapunzel & Grimm’s “Rapunzel”

· Munsch’s The Paper Bag Princess & de Beaumont’s “Beauty and the Beast” OR Grimm’s “Little Read Cap” OR Grimm’s “Rapunzel” 

· Nix's "Hansel's Eyes" & Grimm's "Hansel & Gretel"

· Tangled & Grimms’ “Rapunzel” 

· The Princess and the Frog & Grimm’s “The Frog King” 

· Shrek & de Beaumont’s “Beauty and the Beast” 

Please note that there are multiple parts to each of these questions. Be sure to answer the whole question each time! 

Part I: Three Versions of “Cinderella”

1. What do you think are 1-2 of the most important character traits that Cinderella, Yeh-Shen, and Chinye all share? Why do you think these traits are important to all three stories? 

2. Though Perrault claims that “Cinderella” proves that good looks aren’t everything, beauty nonetheless plays an important role in both “Yeh-Shen” and “Cinderella,” particularly in their suitors’ decision to marry them. What do you think is different about each story’s conception of beauty?

3. Both “Yeh-Shen” and “Cinderella” end with the heroines marrying royalty, perhaps suggesting that a prosperous marriage is the best outcome a young woman can hope for. Chinye, however, does not end with a marriage, and, in fact, the story does not even mention a prince or king. What different values do you think are imparted by the story of “Chinye”?

4. Both “Yeh-Shen” and “Chinye” end with the violent punishment of the stepmother and her daughters. “Cinderella,” however, ends with Cinderella forgiving her stepmother and stepsisters. How is the lesson or moral of these endings different?

Part II: Modern Adaptation

5. Which  original fairy tale did you choose to work with? Why did you choose this one? What, in your opinion, is the moral or lesson this tale hopes to impart to children? What fears or anxieties about the world does it hope to ease?

6. What  modern adaptation did you read or watch? What are some of the key differences between the original fairy tale and this adaptation? Be sure to focus on the significant changes—like changes to the plot, the characters, their interactions, themes, morals, etc.—not changes in small, less significant details. Why do you think the adaptor decided to make these changes? How do you think the changes help to make this tale relevant to modern audiences?

7. What are some of the key similarities between the original fairy tale and the adaptation? Again, focus on the more substantial similarities. Why do you think the adaptor chose to retain these elements of the original tale?

8. Is this adaptation, in your opinion, successful? In other words, does it succeed in reaching a modern audience? Does it help children navigate modern-day fears, challenges, and anxieties? Be specific in your response by explaining which fears, challenges, and anxieties it addresses (or fails to address).

Unit 3

Fairy Tales II: Variations & Adaptations

In the previous unit, we established that fairy tales do, in fact, serve an important social function and impact the growth and socialization of children. But if this is true, it is equally possible that fairy tales have the potential to negatively influence children’s development. Many modern-day critics note that classic fairy tales are not particularly inclusive. Fairy tales can promote rigid constructions of gender, beauty, love, sexuality, and marriage.

The criticism most commonly leveled at fairy tales is that they often reinforce stereotypical female traits, such as passivity and meekness, while reinforcing a rigid standard of physical beauty. Almost exclusively, the heroines of classic fairy tales succeed using one of three strategies: obeying, waiting to be saved, or capitalizing on their superior physical attractiveness. Critics argue that these are perhaps not the best traits with which to equip our modern girls.

Others take particular issue with the way in which classic fairy tales define beauty. This definition is most evident in the character of Snow White, whose “skin as white as snow” earns her the title of “fairest in the land.” Rapunzel, too, with her golden locks, perpetuates a white European construction of beauty. Especially in countries like the U.S., where the population served by these fairy tales is increasingly diverse, a definition of beauty which privileges light skin and hair is problematic.

To some extent, problems with racial and ethnic exclusivity can be avoided by surveying fairy tales across the globe, rather than relying solely on those stories that originated in one's own culture. For example, some form of “Cinderella”—the tale of a beautiful but oppressed young girl, forced into servitude, who eventually triumphs and marries into royalty—exists in Zimbabwe, the Philippines, Korea, Turkey, Cambodia, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Egypt, and China. The pervasiveness of fairy tales like

“Cinderella” has been long debated. Perhaps it is the result of cultural and literary exchange between countries or perhaps it is simply a testament to the fact that people from many different cultures experience similar desires, challenges, hopes, and fears.

However, culturally-specific and often dated definitions of female beauty exist in non-Western fairy tales, too. For example, in “Yeh-Shen,” the Chinese variant of “Cinderella,” which we will read in this unit, Yeh-Shen’s prince charming adores her tiny feet—at one time, a symbol of beauty in China. This lends further credit to critics who favor revising fairy tales to better reflect the difficulties that modern children face.

Generally speaking, the goal of revisionists is to provide children with fairy tales that help them navigate the anxieties, fears, and desires of the modern world. It is important, though, to make a distinction between revision and censorship. Revisionists recognize the value of fairy tales and seek to breathe new life into outdated stories, while censors work to repress fairy tales, deeming their subject matter unsuitable for children.

But there is disagreement on how much revision is necessary. Some tales seem to require minimal revision, only needing to be re-read within a new context. The original telling of “The Frog King, or Iron Heinrich,” with little revision, could easily be retold as a queer tale of love between the Frog King and Heinrich. Others might require only subtle changes. Rachel Isadora, for instance, has published a line of picture books which retains the original storylines of classic fairy tales but changes the settings and skin color of the characters. Many critics, however, argue that these minimalist revisions are not adequate and call on authors to re-work fairy tales from the ground up in an effort to create works that truly reflect our complex modern world.

For this unit, you’ll do some comparative analysis. First, you’ll read and compare three versions of Cinderella from three different cultures. Then, you will choose ONE of your favorite fairy tales from Unit 2 and compare it to one modern adaptation—a story, book, or movie from recent years that updates that older tale. This may require you to take some extra time to access and read or view the chosen adaptation, so be prepared! See the instructions in the reading questions for further explanation and some tips for your adaptation choices.

Unit 3 Assignments

Step 1. Read “Cinderella” as told by Charles Perrault

Step 2. Read “Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China” as told by Ai-Ling Louie

Step 3. “Chin-ye: A West African Folk Tale” as told by Obi Onyefulu

Step 4. Choose your favorite fairy tale from Unit 2

Step 5. Choose, access, and read/watch a modern adaptation of that fairy tale

Available on Moodle

· Rapunzel by Rachel Isadora (picture book)

· The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch (picture book)

· “Hansel’s Eyes” by Garth Nix (short story)

Check Your Local Library or Streaming Service

· Tangled, 2011 (film)

· The Princess & the Frog, 2009 (film)

· Shrek, 2001 (film)

· You may choose another adaptation if you approve it with me first

If you don’t have access to a film that you want to view, you may be able to borrow it for free at your local library. For instance, all of the options listed above can be found at the Boston Public Library and requested at any branch that is close to you. Anyone who lives or works in Massachusetts can sign up for a BPL library card! If you don’t have a card, learn how here .

Step 6. Complete the Unit 3 Reading Questions

· Be sure to read the question carefully and answer every part of the question !

· To do so, you will need to take your time to draft, revise, and proofread your work before you submit

Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper

Charles Perrault

Once there was a gentleman who married, for his second wife, the proudest and most haughty woman that was ever seen. She had, by a former husband, two daughters of her own, who were, indeed, exactly like her in all things. He had likewise, by another wife, a young daughter, but of unparalleled goodness and sweetness of temper, which she took from her mother, who was the best creature in the world.

No sooner were the ceremonies of the wedding over but the stepmother began to show herself in her true colors. She could not bear the good qualities of this pretty girl, and the less because they made her own daughters appear the more odious. She employed her in the meanest work of the house. She scoured the dishes, tables, etc., and cleaned madam's chamber, and those of misses, her daughters. She slept in a sorry garret, on a wretched straw bed, while her sisters slept in fine rooms, with floors all inlaid, on beds of the very newest fashion, and where they had looking glasses so large that they could see themselves at their full length from head to foot.

The poor girl bore it all patiently, and dared not tell her father, who would have scolded her; for his wife governed him entirely. When she had done her work, she used to go to the chimney corner, and sit down there in the cinders and ashes, which caused her to be called Cinderwench. Only the younger sister, who was not so rude and uncivil as the older one, called her Cinderella. However, Cinderella, notwithstanding her coarse apparel, was a hundred times more beautiful than her sisters, although they were always dressed very richly.

It happened that the king's son gave a ball, and invited all persons of fashion to it. Our young misses were also invited, for they cut a very grand figure among those of quality. They were mightily delighted at this invitation, and wonderfully busy in selecting the gowns, petticoats, and hair dressing that would best become them. This was a new difficulty for Cinderella; for it was she who ironed her sister's linen and pleated their ruffles. They talked all day long of nothing but how they should be dressed.

"For my part," said the eldest, "I will wear my red velvet suit with French trimming."

"And I," said the youngest, "shall have my usual petticoat; but then, to make amends for that, I will put on my gold-flowered cloak, and my diamond stomacher, which is far from being the most ordinary one in the world."

They sent for the best hairdresser they could get to make up their headpieces and adjust their hairdos, and they had their red brushes and patches from Mademoiselle de la Poche.

They also consulted Cinderella in all these matters, for she had excellent ideas, and her advice was always good. Indeed, she even offered her services to fix their hair, which they very willingly accepted. As she was doing this, they said to her, "Cinderella, would you not like to go to the ball?"

"Alas!" said she, "you only jeer me; it is not for such as I am to go to such a place."

"You are quite right," they replied. "It would make the people laugh to see a Cinderwench at a ball."

Anyone but Cinderella would have fixed their hair awry, but she was very good, and dressed them perfectly well. They were so excited that they hadn't eaten a thing for almost two days. Then they broke more than a dozen laces trying to have themselves laced up tightly enough to give them a fine slender shape. They were continually in front of their looking glass. At last the happy day came. They went to court, and Cinderella followed them with her eyes as long as she could. When she lost sight of them, she started to cry.

Her godmother, who saw her all in tears, asked her what was the matter.

"I wish I could. I wish I could." She was not able to speak the rest, being interrupted by her tears and sobbing. This godmother of hers, who was a fairy, said to her, "You wish that you could go to the ball; is it not so?" "Yes," cried Cinderella, with a great sigh.

"Well," said her godmother, "be but a good girl, and I will contrive that you shall go." Then she took her into her chamber, and said to her, "Run into the garden, and bring me a pumpkin."

Cinderella went immediately to gather the finest she could get, and brought it to her godmother, not being able to imagine how this pumpkin could help her go to the ball. Her godmother scooped out all the inside of it, leaving nothing but the rind. Having done this, she struck the pumpkin with her wand, and it was instantly turned into a fine coach, gilded all over with gold.

She then went to look into her mousetrap, where she found six mice, all alive, and ordered Cinderella to lift up a little the trapdoor. She gave each mouse, as it went out, a little tap with her wand, and the mouse was that moment turned into a fine horse, which altogether made a very fine set of six horses of a beautiful mouse colored dapple gray.

Being at a loss for a coachman, Cinderella said, "I will go and see if there is not a rat in the rat trap that we can turn into a coachman."

"You are right," replied her godmother, "Go and look."

Cinderella brought the trap to her, and in it there were three huge rats. The fairy chose the one which had the largest beard, touched him with her wand, and turned him into a fat, jolly coachman, who had the smartest whiskers that eyes ever beheld.

After that, she said to her, "Go again into the garden, and you will find six lizards behind the watering pot.

Bring them to me."

She had no sooner done so but her godmother turned them into six footmen, who skipped up immediately behind the coach, with their liveries all bedaubed with gold and silver, and clung as close behind each other as if they had done nothing else their whole lives. The fairy then said to Cinderella, "Well, you see here an equipage fit to go to the ball with; are you not pleased with it?"

"Oh, yes," she cried; "but must I go in these nasty rags?"

Her godmother then touched her with her wand, and, at the same instant, her clothes turned into cloth of gold and silver, all beset with jewels. This done, she gave her a pair of glass slippers, the prettiest in the whole world. Being thus decked out, she got up into her coach; but her godmother, above all things, commanded her not to stay past midnight, telling her, at the same time, that if she stayed one moment longer, the coach would be a pumpkin again, her horses mice, her coachman a rat, her footmen lizards, and that her clothes would become just as they were before.

She promised her godmother to leave the ball before midnight; and then drove away, scarcely able to contain herself for joy. The king's son, who was told that a great princess, whom nobody knew, had arrived, ran out to receive her. He gave her his hand as she alighted from the coach, and led her into the hall, among all the company. There was immediately a profound silence. Everyone stopped dancing, and the violins ceased to play, so entranced was everyone with the singular beauties of the unknown newcomer.

Nothing was then heard but a confused noise of, "How beautiful she is! How beautiful she is!"

The king himself, old as he was, could not help watching her, and telling the queen softly that it was a long time since he had seen so beautiful and lovely a creature.

All the ladies were busied in considering her clothes and headdress, hoping to have some made next day after the same pattern, provided they could find such fine materials and as able hands to make them.

The king's son led her to the most honorable seat, and afterwards took her out to dance with him. She danced so very gracefully that they all more and more admired her. A fine meal was served up, but the young prince ate not a morsel, so intently was he busied in gazing on her.

She went and sat down by her sisters, showing them a thousand civilities, giving them part of the oranges and citrons which the prince had presented her with, which very much surprised them, for they did not know her. While Cinderella was thus amusing her sisters, she heard the clock strike eleven and three-quarters, whereupon she immediately made a courtesy to the company and hurried away as fast as she could.

Arriving home, she ran to seek out her godmother, and, after having thanked her, she said she could not but heartily wish she might go to the ball the next day as well, because the king's son had invited her.

As she was eagerly telling her godmother everything that had happened at the ball, her two sisters knocked at the door, which Cinderella ran and opened.

"You stayed such a long time!" she cried, gaping, rubbing her eyes and stretching herself as if she had been sleeping; she had not, however, had any manner of inclination to sleep while they were away from home.

"If you had been at the ball," said one of her sisters, "you would not have been tired with it. The finest princess was there, the most beautiful that mortal eyes have ever seen. She showed us a thousand civilities, and gave us oranges and citrons."

Cinderella seemed very indifferent in the matter. Indeed, she asked them the name of that princess; but they told her they did not know it, and that the king's son was very uneasy on her account and would give all the world to know who she was. At this Cinderella, smiling, replied, "She must, then, be very beautiful indeed; how happy you have been! Could not I see her? Ah, dear Charlotte, do lend me your yellow dress which you wear every day."

"Yes, to be sure!" cried Charlotte; "lend my clothes to such a dirty Cinderwench as you are! I should be such a fool."

Cinderella, indeed, well expected such an answer, and was very glad of the refusal; for she would have been sadly put to it, if her sister had lent her what she asked for jestingly.

The next day the two sisters were at the ball, and so was Cinderella, but dressed even more magnificently than before. The king's son was always by her, and never ceased his compliments and kind speeches to her. All this was so far from being tiresome to her, and, indeed, she quite forgot what her godmother had told her. She thought that it was no later than eleven when she counted the clock striking twelve. She jumped up and fled, as nimble as a deer. The prince followed, but could not overtake her. She left behind one of her glass slippers, which the prince picked up most carefully. She reached home, but quite out of breath, and in her nasty old clothes, having nothing left of all her finery but one of the little slippers, the mate to the one that she had dropped.

The guards at the palace gate were asked if they had not seen a princess go out. They replied that they had seen nobody leave but a young girl, very shabbily dressed, and who had more the air of a poor country wench than a gentlewoman.

When the two sisters returned from the ball Cinderella asked them if they had been well entertained, and if the fine lady had been there.

They told her, yes, but that she hurried away immediately when it struck twelve, and with so much haste that she dropped one of her little glass slippers, the prettiest in the world, which the king's son had picked up; that he had done nothing but look at her all the time at the ball, and that most certainly he was very much in love with the beautiful person who owned the glass slipper.

What they said was very true; for a few days later, the king's son had it proclaimed, by sound of trumpet, that he would marry her whose foot this slipper would just fit. They began to try it on the princesses, then the duchesses and all the court, but in vain; it was brought to the two sisters, who did all they possibly could to force their foot into the slipper, but they did not succeed.

Cinderella, who saw all this, and knew that it was her slipper, said to them, laughing, "Let me see if it will not fit me."

Her sisters burst out laughing, and began to banter with her. The gentleman who was sent to try the slipper looked earnestly at Cinderella, and, finding her very handsome, said that it was only just that she should try as well, and that he had orders to let everyone try.

He had Cinderella sit down, and, putting the slipper to her foot, he found that it went on very easily, fitting her as if it had been made of wax. Her two sisters were greatly astonished, but then even more so, when

Cinderella pulled out of her pocket the other slipper, and put it on her other foot. Then in came her godmother and touched her wand to Cinderella's clothes, making them richer and more magnificent than any of those she had worn before.

And now her two sisters found her to be that fine, beautiful lady whom they had seen at the ball. They threw themselves at her feet to beg pardon for all the ill treatment they had made her undergo. Cinderella took them up, and, as she embraced them, said that she forgave them with all her heart, and wanted them always to love her.

She was taken to the young prince, dressed as she was. He thought she was more charming than before, and, a few days after, married her. Cinderella, who was no less good than beautiful, gave her two sisters lodgings in the palace, and that very same day matched them with two great lords of the court.

Moral: Beauty in a woman is a rare treasure that will always be admired. Graciousness, however, is priceless and of even greater value. This is what Cinderella's godmother gave to her when she taught her to behave like a queen. Young women, in the winning of a heart, graciousness is more important than a beautiful hairdo. It is a true gift of the fairies. Without it nothing is possible; with it, one can do anything.

Another moral: Without doubt it is a great advantage to have intelligence, courage, good breeding, and common sense. These, and similar talents come only from heaven, and it is good to have them. However, even these may fail to bring you success, without the blessing of a godfather or a godmother.

· Source: Andrew Lang, The Blue Fairy Book (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., ca. 1889), pp. 64-71.

· Lang's source: Charles Perrault, "Cendrillon, ou la petite pantoufle de verre," Histoires ou contes du temps passé, avec des moralités: Contes de ma mère l'Oye (Paris, 1697).

Links to related sites

· Cinderella , additional folktales of type 510A and related stories of persecuted heroines.

· Charles Perrault's Mother Goose Tales . Information about Perrault and his famous collection Histoires ou contes du temps passé, avec des moralités: Contes de ma mère l'Oye.

· Les contes de Perrault . A French-language site featuring Perrault's tales.

· D. L. Ashliman's folktexts , a library of folktales, folklore, fairy tales, and mythology.

Revised October 8, 2003.

A Cinderella Story from China What*F Retold by Ai-Ling Louie n the dim past, even before the Ch'in and the Han dynasties,l there lived a cave chief of southern China by the name ofWu. As was the custom <isuals in those days, Chief Wu had taken two wives. Each wife in their turn had This a scene painting and its shoW%refleeff presented Wu with a baby daughter. But one of the wives sickened and died, in the water. and not too many days after that Chief Wu took to his bed and died too. where the water beg_iR Yeh-Shen, the little orphan, grew to girlhood in her stepmother's home. and ends. She was a bright child and lovely too, with skin as smooth as ivory and dark pools for eyes. Her stepmother was jealous of all this beauty and goodness, for her own daughter was not pretty at all. So in her displeasure, she gave 10 poor Yeh-Shen the heaviest and most unpleasant chores. The only friend that Yeh-Shen had to her name was a fish she had @ UNIVERSAL caught and raised. It was a beautiful fish with golden eyes, and every day Reread lines 11-16. W-hå it would come out of the water and rest its head on the bank of the pond, do Shen you from learn the aboutway waiting for Yeh-Shen to feed it. Stepmother gave Yeh-Shen little enough treats her friend? food for herself, but the orphan child always found something to share kind of person is Yehwith her fish, which grew to enormous size. @ I. Ch'ln (chin) and the Han (hän) dynasties (di'ne-stéz): groups that held power in China. The Ch'in dynasty ruled from 221 to 206 B.C., and the Han dynasty ruled from 206 B.C. to A.D. 220. Detail of The Moonlight Chen Jia Q. Watercolor. Red Folk Art, Mukashi 762 UNIT 6: MYTHS, LEGENDS, AND TALES O The Mukashi Collection/SuperStOtk:-•

764 UNIT 6: MYTHS, LEGENDS, AND TALES

Somehow the stepmother heard of this. She was terribly angry to discover that Yeh-Shen had kept a secret from her. She hurried down to the pond, but she was unable to see the fish, for Yeh-Shen's pet wisely hid itself. 20 The stepmother, however, was a crafty woman, and she soon thought of a plan. She walked home and called out, "Yeh-Shen, go and collect some firewood. But wait! The neighbors might see you. Leave your filthy coat here!" The minute the girl was out of sight, her stepmother slipped on the coat herself and went down again to the pond. This time the big fish saw Yeh-Shen's familiar jacket and heaved itself onto the bank, expecting to be fed. But the stepmother, having hidden a dagger2 in her sleeve, stabbed the fish, wrapped it in her garments, and took it home to cook for dinner. O When Yeh-Shen came to the pond that evening, she found her pet had disappeared. Overcome with grief, the girl collapsed on the ground and 30 dropped her tears into the still waters of the pond.

"Ah, poor child!" a voice said.

Yeh-Shen sat up to find a very old man looking down at her. He wore the coarsest of clothes, and his hair flowed down over his shoulders.

"Kind uncle, who may you be?" Yeh-Shen asked,

"That is not important, my child. All you must know is that I have been sent to tell you of the wondrous powers of your fish."

"My fish, but sir . . ." The girl's eyes filled with tears, and she could not go on.

The old man sighed and said, "Yes, my child, your fish is no longer

40 alive, and I must tell you that your stepmother is once more the cause of your sorrow." Yeh-Shen gasped in horror, but the old man went on. "Let us not dwell on things that are past," he said, "for I have come bringing you a gift. Now you must listen carefully to this: The bones of your fish are filled with a powerful spirit. Whenever you are in serious need, you must kneel before them and let them know your heart's desire.

But do not waste their gifts."

Yeh-Shen wanted to ask the old sage3 many more questions, but he rose to the sky before she could utter another word. With heavy heart, Yeh-Shen made her way to the dung heap to gather the remains of her friend.

50 Time went by, and Yeh-Shen, who was often left alone, took comfort in speaking to the bones of her fish. When she was hungry, which happened quite often, Yeh-Shen asked the bones for food. In this way, Yeh-Shen managed to live from day to day, but she lived in dread that her stepmother would discover her secret and take even that away from her.

2. dagger: a short, pointed weapon.

3. sage: someone known for his or her wisdom.

O UNIVERSAL THE

Why does the

stepmother kill thé%ii

collapse (ke-iäps-') to fall down

COMPARE AND CONTRAST

Like other folk tales, Cinderella story contain3B? recurring stylistic elements that serve an-a important function in. the story. One recurring* element in folk tales is• the magic helper. is the magic helper • How is this magic helperrfi%s. .a

-90 different from the in the Cinderella stories you know?

o the time passed and spring came. Festival time was approaching:

It was the busiest time of the year. Such cooking and cleaning and sewing there was to be done! Yeh-Shen had hardly a moment's rest. At the spring festival young men and young women from the village hoped to meet and to choose whom they would marry. How Yeh-Shen

60 longed to go! But her stepmother had other plans. She hoped to find a husband for her own daughter and did not want any man to see the beauteous Yeh-Shen first. When finally the holiday arrived, the stepmother and her daughter dressed themselves in their finery and filled their baskets with sweetmeats. 4 "You must remain at home now, and watch to see that no one steals fruit from our trees," her stepmother told Yeh-Shen, and then she departed for the banquet with her own daughter.

As soon as she was alone, Yeh-Shen went to speak to the bones of her fish. "Oh, dear friend," she said, kneeling before the precious bones, "I long to go to the festival, but I cannot show myself in these rags.

70 Is there somewhere I could borrow clothes fit to wear to the feast? At once she found herself dressed in a gown of azure with a cloak of kingfisher feathers draped around her shoulders. Best of all, on her tiny feet were the most beautiful slippers she had ever seen. They were woven of golden threads, in a pattern like the scales of a fish, and the gli$gning soles were made of solid gold. There was magic in the shoes, for they should have been quite heavy, yet when Yeh-Shen walked, her feet felt as light as air. 'Be sure you do not lose your golden shoes," said the spirit of the bones. Yeh-Shen promised to be careful. Delighted with her transformation, she bid a fond farewell to the bones of her fish as she slipped off to join

80 in the merrymaking. @

That day Yeh-Shen turned many a head as she appeared at the feast. All the around her people whispered, "Look at that beautiful girl! Who can she be?

But above this, Stepsister was heard to say, "Mother, does she not resemble our Yeh-Shen?

in Upon hearing this, Yeh-Shen jumped up and ran off before her stepsister could look closely at her. She raced down the mountainside, is and in doing so, she lost one of her golden slippers. No sooner had the ho shoe fallen from her foot than all her fine clothes turned back to rags.

Only one thing remained—a tiny golden shoe. Yeh-Shen hurried to the

90 bones Of her fish and returned the slipper, promising to find its mate. But now the bones were silent. Sadly Yeh-Shen realized that she had lost her only friend. She hid the little shoe in her bedstraw, and went outside to cry. Leaning against a fruit tree, she sobbed and sobbed until she fell asleep.

4.

sweetmeats: sweet food, such as candy.

azure blue (äzh'ar blöö)•. a light purplish blue.

banquet (bäng'kwTt)

n. a dinner honoring a particular guest or occasion

@ COMPARE ANO CONTRAST

Reread lines 55-66. Why doesn't Yeh-Shen's stepmother allow her to go to the festival?

glistening (glis'en-ing) adj. sparkling

Reread the warning in line 77. What do you predict will happen to the golden slippers?

A CINDERELLA STORY FROM CHINA 765

CONTRAST What effect does losing the slipper have on Yeh-Shen? How is this like or unlike other Cinderella stories you have read?

Celebration (1996), Pang Gui Chen. Watercolor. Red Lantern Folk Art, Mukashi Collection.

C The Mukashi Collection/SuperStock.

The stepmother left the gathering to check on Yeh-Shen, but when she returned home she found the girl sound asleep, with her arms wrapped around a fruit tree. So thinking no more of her, the stepmother rejoined the party. Meantime, a villager had found the shoe. Recognizing its worth, he sold it to a merchant, who presented it in turn to the king of the island kingdom of T'o Han.

100 The king was more than happy to accept the slipper as a gift. He was entranced by the tiny thing, which was shaped of the most precious of metals, yet which made no sound when touched to stone. The more he marveled at its beauty, the more determined he became to find the woman to whom the shoe belonged. A search was begun among the ladies of his

a Analyze -a

Choose a figure this painting that' reminds you of one _ of the story's Which character the figure remind you of, and why?

own kingdom, but all who tried on the sandal found it impossibly small. Undaunted, the king ordered the search widened to include the cave women from the countryside where the slipper had been found. Since he realized it would take many years for every woman to come to his island and test her foot in the slipper, the king thought of a way to get the right woman to come forward. He ordered the sandal placed in a pavilion6 by the side of the road near where it had been found, and his herald announced that the shoe was to be returned to its original owner. Then from a nearby hiding place, the king and his men settled down to watch and wait for a woman with tiny feet to come and claim her slipper.

Il that day the pavilion was crowded with cave women who had come to test a foot in the shoe. Yeh-Shen's stepmother and stepsister were among them, but not Yeh-Shen—they had told her to stay home. By day's end, although many women had eagerly tried to put on the slipper, it still had not been worn. Wearily, the king continued his vigi17 the night. @

It wasn't until the blackest part of night, while the moon hid behind cloud, that Yeh-Shen dared to show her face at the pavilion, and even then

•x:she tiptoed timidly across the wide floor. Sinking down to her knees, the *igirl in rags examined the tiny shoe. Only when she was sure that this was lithe missing mate to her own golden slipper did she dare pick it up. At last ghe could return both little shoes to the fish bones. Surely then her beloved epirit would speak to her again.

Now the king's first thought, on seeing Yeh-Shen take the precious

'*Slipper, was to throw the girl into prison as a thief. But when she turned leave, he caught a glimpse of her face. At once the king was struck

•y the sweet harmony of her features, which seemed so out of keeping

O-ith the rags she wore. It was then that he took a closer look and noticed at she walked upon the tiniest feet he had ever seen. O

With a wave of his hand, the king signaled that this tattered creature s to be allowed to depart with the golden slipper. Quietly, the king's gn slipped off and followed her home.

this time, Yeh-Shen was unaware of the excitement she had caused. had made her way home and was about to hide both sandals in her mdding when there was a pounding at the door. Yeh-Shen went to see

9 0 it was—and found a king at her doorstep. She was very frightened but the king spoke to her in a kind voice and asked her to try the

{jpavilion (pe-vli'yen): a decorated tent.

y.igil (vYj'el): a period of observing.

Comparingffheme

COMPARE AND

CONTRAST How is the king's plan to find the owner of the slipper similar to and different from the way the prince or king in other Cinderella stories looks for the shoe's owner?

@ UNBVERSAL THEME How does the king react when he receives Yeh-Shen's missing slipper as a gift?

O UNBVERSAL THEME

YEH-SHEN: A CINDERELLA STORY FROM CHINA 767

Reread lines 121—133, Why does the king first think Yeh-Shen is a thief?

golden slippers on her feet. The maiden did as she was told, and as she stood in her golden shoes, her rags were transformed once more into the feathered cloak and beautiful azure gown.

Her loveliness made her seem a heavenly being, and the king suddenly knew in his heart that he had found his true love.

ot long after this, Yeh-Shen was married to the king. But fate was not so gentle with her stepmother and stepsister. Since they had been unkind to his beloved, the king would not permit Yeh-Shen to bring them

150 to his palace. They remained in their cave home, where one day, it is said, they were crushed to death in a shower of flying stones. O

Shadow Puppets, Chen Lian Xing. Watercolor. Red Lantern Folk Art, Mukashi Cöllection. O The Mukashi Collection/SuperStock.

O UNIVERSAL How is Yeh-Shen rewarded in the stöf,y

Analyze

Visuals

Notice how the in this painting are dressed. Compare thé with how you Yeh-Shen and the looked.

“Chinye” –West Africa

Long ago there lived a girl called Chinye. Her mother and father were dead, so she lived with her stepmother, Nkechi, and her stepsister, Adanma.

Every day Nkechi made Chinye do all the work and sent her back and forth through the forest to fetch water. Chinye was a quiet, obedient girl, and she worked as hard as she could to please Nkechi. She got no help from Adanma, who was spoiled and lazy.

One night there was no water in the house to cook supper. Adanma had used all of it for a bath. But it was no good trying to explain this to Nkechi.

“Go to the stream at once and get more water, you bad girl,” she shouted angrily. To reach the stream, Chinye had to go through the forest. Wild animals prowled there, and even on moonlit nights the bravest villagers stayed at home. Chinye begged Nkechi to let her borrow water from a neighbor instead. It was no good.

“Be off with you!” Nkechi shouted, thrusting the heavy waterpot into Chinye’s arms. Weeping, Chinye set off into the forest. Danger lurked behind every tree. A lion roared, and her heart jumped. Then right in front of her, a shaped loomed up on the path . Chinye screamed. Too terrified to run, she shut her eyes and prayed.

“Where are you going, child?” asked a gentle voice. Chinye opened her eyes in wonder. By the light of the moon, the shape looked like an antelope.

“To the stream, to fetch water,” she whispered.

“The forest is no place for you at this time of night,” the voice said. “Go home.”Chinye shook her head.

“I can’t. My life is bad enough already, without making my stepmother angry!” The shape sighed and let Chinye pass.

A little further on, a second shape appeared. This one looked like a hyena. Once again Chinye screamed and shut her eyes, but the creature’s voice was full of love and kindness. Hearing why Chinye was out so late it said: “Go on your way with my blessing. But take care – a lion is following me. Hide behind this tree and wait until it has passed.”

When the lion had gone, Chinye crept from behind the tree and hurried on toward the stream. She hastily filled her waterpot, then ran back the way she had come. Suddenly, right in front of her, she saw an old woman, bent with age.

“Bless you, child,” she told Chinye, reaching out as if to hold her. “Listen to me. As you go on your way, you will pass a hut and hear the sound of drums and singing. Go in, and you will find the floor of the hut covered with gourds – some big, some small, some quiet, some noisy. One of them will call to you, ‘Take me!’ but do not take it: it is full of evil things. Choose the smallest, quietest gourd, and when you get home, break it open on the ground.”

The old woman blessed her again, and disappeared.

Sure enough, in a little while Chinye heard the sound of drums and singing, and there by the path, in the moonlight, stood a hut she had never seen before. Chinye lowered her waterpot carefully to the ground and went in. Everything was just as the old woman had said. Gourds of every shape and size covered the floor and from one of them a voice cried, “Take me!” but Chinye remembered the old woman’s warning. She searched until she found the smallest, quietest gourd and took that instead.

Once more the figure of the old woman appeared. “You have chosen wisely,” she said. “Make good use of whatever fortune brings you.” She stretched out a hand and touched Chinye tenderly on the cheek. “Now, go home in peach, my child.”

Nkechi was waiting at the door of their hut. “What took you so long?” she demanded, glaring. “And what’s that in your hand?” She pointed suspiciously at the gourd Chinye was carrying. “An old woman gave it to you? What’s inside?” She snatched the gourd and rattled it violently, but it made no sound and she tossed it aside. “Hurry up and build a fire. We’ve waited long enough for food tonight,” she shouted. So there was no chance for Chinye to break open the gourd that night.

Next morning, Chinye awoke early. Nkechi and Adanma were fast asleep. Chinye found the gourd and crept out to her father’s old hut, then locked the door and smashed the gourd on the ground. In a stroke, the bare hut was transformed into a treasure house: gold ornaments spilled across the floor, mingled with ivory and swaths of rare damask in all colors under the sun. Chinye rubbed her eyes. Then she ran to wake her stepmother. When Nkechi saw the treasure, for once in her life she was speechless. To think that such treasure had come from a gourd! Why couldn’t it have been Adanma who met the old woman? Aha! Nkechi’s eyes gleamed greedily. Maybe it was not too late!

That very night Nkechi carried out her plan, and sent

Adanma down to the stream to fill the pot. Like Chinye, Adanma met the antelope, the hyena, and the old woman. But unlike Chinye, she paid no attention to the old woman’s advice, and when she came to the hut and heard one of the biggest gourds say, “Take me!” she did just that.

“Look, Mother,” she said proudly when she got home. “I chose the biggest gourd I could!” Nkechi rubbed her hands: the bigger the gourd, the greater the treasure. And with a cry of “We’re rich! We’re rich!” she snatched the gourd from Adanma and dashed it to the floor. There was a flash of light and a clap of thunder. Nkechi and Adanma screamed and clutched each other. A great whirlwind sprang up, gathered all their belongings, and flung them out through the window

– pots, pans, clothes, and cowrie shells were swept away into the night. Nkechi and Adanma lost everything.

Too proud to ask Chinye for help, Nkechi left the village taking Adanma with her. And Chinye? She used her wealth to help the people of her village and lived happily ever after.

Datlow, Ellen, and Terri Windling, editors. A Wolf at the Door

and Other Retold Fairy Tales. Simon & Schuster, 2000.

Juvenile Fiction: Ages 8-12