We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is “Fantastic Females in Folk & Fairy Tales.”
About Feet and China:
Having tiny feet was considered beautiful. Tiny feet were aspired to as it symbolized nobility and not needing to work much. When a girl was as young as age 6, sometimes feet would be bound to shrink them and continue to be bound for years. The bones would crush or even fuse together. This practice started in the 10th or 11th century. As Yeh-Shen in the story works more than the average person, it’s fascinating that her feet were naturally tiny.
50-word-or-less summary
Yeh-Shen slaved for step-mother. Fed fish. Step-mother borrowed Yeh-Shen’s coat. Stabbed fish. Bones left. Bones had power. Wishes! Festival coming. Dress! Came with golden shoes. Attended. Ran when Yeh-Shen thought step-mother recognized her. Villager found shoe. Given to king. Hut built. People tried on. Yeh-Shen took it. Followed. King proposed.
Finding the Story:
Book – Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China – here
Book – Yeh-Hsien: A Chinese Cinderella (Bilingual Multicultural Book) – here
Video – Yeh-Shen – here
Finding the “Fantastic”:
Yeh-Shen carried on with life despite being over-worked and abused by her step-mother. One cannot hide the beauty of kindness. Yeh-Shen rightfully felt sad. She had poise in front of her step-mother as a way to show that she had much inner strength. Yet, when needed, she was willing to cry and release that sorrow.
When the step-mother killed her beloved fish, Yeh-Shen listened to the old man/spirit who revealed the power of those bones. Yeh-Shen protected those bones to the best of her ability. She was warned not to lose the shoes. When she lost one, she persisted in looking for it. She learned of the hut and chose a time at night to avoid crowds and fulfill the promise she had made to her friend (connecting to its spirit through the bones).
Thankfully, the king did not arrest her as a thief. At the time, no one knew Yeh-Shen was the rightful owner of the shoe.
She received fantastic blessings as a way have justice and mercy served.
Recommended Article:
Thousands of Cinderella stories exist. Why? Read this scholarly article entitled “Cinderella Tales and Their Significance” written by Kristen Friedman.
Thoughts?
Please share thoughts in the comments. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings. See our popular links and upcoming events at our One-Stop.
As for our past A to Z Challenges…
Story Crossroads celebrates the hybrid Summit & Festival on May 13-16, 2024 – yes, in-person and virtual – and would be honored for you to join us. Explore the schedule and register here: http://www.storycrossroads.org/Festival
Thanks to funding from National Endowment for the Arts; National Endowment for the Humanities; Western States Arts Federation; Utah Division of Arts and Museums/Utah Legislature; Utah Humanities; City of Murray; Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) of Salt Lake County; Salt Lake City Arts Council; and people like you.