ONCE upon a time there was a poor man, who at last had no roof to shelter him and not a bite to eat. So, weary and worn, he lay down beside a little temple of the field-god that stood by the roadside and fell asleep. And he dreamed that the old, white-bearded field-god came…
Category: Asia
THE EIGHT IMMORTALS (I) – (The Chinese Fairy Book, 1921) by Richard Wilhelm
THERE is a legend which declares that Eight Immortals dwell in the heavens. The first is named Dschung Li Kuan. He lived in the time of the Han dynasty, and discovered the wonderful magic of golden cinnabar, the philosopher’s stone. He could melt quicksilver and burn lead and turn them into yellow gold and white…
THE SAGACIOUS MONKEY AND THE BOAR (Tales of Old Japan) by YEI THEODORA OZAKI
Long, long ago, there lived in the province of Shinshin in Japan, a traveling monkey-man, who earned his living by taking round a monkey and showing off the animal’s tricks. One evening the man came home in a very bad temper and told his wife to send for the butcher the next morning. The wife…
THE GOBLIN OF ADACHIGAHARA (Tales of Old Japan) by YEI THEODORA OZAKI
Long, long ago there was a large plain called Adachigahara, in the province of Mutsu in Japan. This place was said to be haunted by a cannibal goblin who took the form of an old woman. From time to time many travelers disappeared and were never heard of more, and the old women round the…
THE PETITION TO THE KING (Told on the Pagoda TALES OF BURMAH, 1895) by Mimosa
IN the reign of King Mindoon, who was the father of King Theebaw, a servant sent a petition to him in which he set forth that he had been his humble and faithful servitor before his accession to the throne, but now, although seven long years had gone by since then, he had remained forgotten…
THE PRIEST’S PETITION (Told on the Pagoda TALES OF BURMAH, 1895) by Mimosa
IT was the custom for the heir to the throne of the kingdom of Ava to be placed, while young, in a monastery with the priests, to be instructed in a manner suitable to the position that he was destined to occupy. Prince Min Goung, while a boy, was put under the special care of…