Chinese fables and folk stories by Mary Hayes Davis and Chow-Leung

Description

Chinese Fables and Folk Stories by Mary Hayes Davis and Chow-Leung is a collection of traditional narratives likely written in the early 20th century. This compilation presents a variety of fables that reflect Chinese cultural values and moral lessons, showcasing the significance of kindness, humility, and family devotion through engaging stories often featuring animals and mythical elements. The opening of the book introduces the reader to a preface discussing the difficulty of translating the deep and complex subtleties of Chinese thought into English. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural and moral undercurrents underlying these tales. For example, the first fable titled How the Moon Became Beautiful narrates a poignant story of the Moon’s longing for beauty and recognition, leading to his eventual connection with a kind earth maiden, Tseh-N’io, which encapsulates themes of love and transformation. The subsequent fables continue to deliver insightful moral messages about compassion, respect, and the interconnectedness of life, reflecting the broader philosophy of Chinese literature and societal values. (This is an automatically generated summary.)