Fairy-Myth Asian-Pacific Folktales and Legends - Edited by Jeannette L. Faurot

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These stories offer us an introduction to the complex oral traditions of the varied civilizations of one of the world's most fascinating regions.
Exotic, clever, and poignant, Asian-Pacific Folktales and Legends invites you into a magically distinctive world. Originating from the far corners of the globe—China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia—these tales teach us about morality and mysticism in enchanting ways. Organized by universal folkloric themes, Asian-Pacific Folktales and Legends features animal stories, tales of magical skill, explanations of how things came to be the way they are, delightful depictions of the clever and the foolish, ghosts and supernatural beings, and legends about heroes and gods. From "The Supernatural Crossbow," a Vietnamese tale, to the Malaysian story of "The Man in the Moon," each piece in this collection explores a self-contained, dreamlike universe that both delights and transports the reader. Shaped by the geographical and cultural influences of a people, these stories offer us an introduction to the complex oral traditions of the varied civilizations of one of the world's most fascinating regions.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
HOW THINGS CAME TO BE
Pan Gu, Nuwa, and Gonggong China
The Sun and the Moon Korea
The Salt-Grinding Millstones Japan
The Twelve Animals of the Zodiac China
Half-Child Indonesia
How the Tiger Got His Stripes Vietnam
The Mosquito Vietnam
The Da-Trang Crabs Vietnam
ANIMAL TALES
Mouse-Deer Tales Indonesia
Three Fox Stones Japan
The Jelly-fish and the Monkey Japan
The Crackling Mountain Japan
The Miraculous Tea-kettle Japan
The Turtle and the Monkey Philippines
The Mouse Lord Chooses a Bridegroom Japan
The Old Tiger and the Hare Korea
The Locust, the Ant, and the Kingfisher Korea
MYTHS AND LEGENDS
Archer Hou Yi and Chang-O China
The Herdsboy and the Weaving Maid China
The Sea Palace Japan
Momotaro, the Peach Boy Japan
Kaguya Himé Japan
The Ballad of Mulan China
The Supernatural Crossbow Vietnam
Rajah Soliman’s Daughter Philippines
MAGIC GIFTS
The Tokkaebi’s Club Korea
Ma Liang and His Magic Brush China
The Tongue-cut Sparrow Japan
Little One Inch Japan
Umpong-Umpong and Babakud Malaysia
Planting Pears China
The Magic Cap Korea
The Wonder-Tree Indonesia
Serungal Malaysia
The Dog and the Cat Korea
The Man in the Moon Malaysia
The Story of Tam and Cam Vietnam
GHOSTS, DREAMS AND THE SUPERNATURAL
The Oni’s Laughter Japan
The Vampire Cat Japan
The Painted Skin China
The Man Who Sold a Ghost China
The Legend of Arang Korea
The Centipede Girl Korea
The Crane Wife Japan
The Lizard Husband Indonesia
The Wolf Dream China
Escaping from the Ogre Indonesia
The Pedlar’s Son China
The Story of Nai Prasop Thailand
The Dream at Nam Kha Vietnam
CLEVERNESS AND FOOLISHNESS
The Glass Stopper Thailand
The River God’s Wife China
“Of Course!" China
King Bato and Asin Philippines
Ooka the Wise Japan
Wise Magistrates China
Poisonous Persimmons Korea
Shade Selling Korea
Ah Jin’s Unlucky Words China
The Magic Herb China
The Foolish Son-in-law China