^ F o L k t a L e S ^

Rakhi at the age of six buys cherries from the local bazaar and marvels at the color and taste since there are few fruit trees in the Himalayan foothills. Her grandfather, Rakhi, suggests that she plant one seed in the corner of the garden and watch it grow. Time passes and the little plant endures being nibbled by a goat and a catepillar, is run over by a runaway cart, and experiences the cold winters and the heavy spring rains. Through it all the tree grows as well as Rakhi. Years pass before the cherry seed grows into a tree that produces fruit. Rakhi whisfully remarks, "How it changed!" and Grandfathers responds with "Just like you."

Amrita Devi, centuries ago inspired an entire community to protect their trees. Amrita lived in a mud village on the edge of a forest and each day she ran to her favorite tree and threw her arms around it. She knew the importance of trees in her life; they provided shade from the desert sun, buffered them from great desert storms, and helped them find sources of water. She grew up loving this particular tree, often daydreaming while sitting in its shade, and after she married she continued to visit this tree with her family. One day the mighty Maharajah sent his soldiers into the forests to cut trees for his new fortress. When Amrita heard the soldiers in the forrest she ran to them begging them not to cut down the trees. To no avail! Soon the sound of crashing trees could be heard. Amrita saw her own tree come crashing down! She kneeled and hugged the dying tree. The people of the village heard the soldiers chopping away at the trees and they ran from their homes to the forest and stood by the trees forcing the soldiers to leave in disgust. Word was sent to the Maharajah; he was furious! He gathered his entourage and headed for the village where he met the villagers gathered at the well. He demanded that the soldiers again begin to cut down the trees. The people begged the Maharajah to leave the trees, but their pleas were ignored. The people ran to hug the trees as the soldiers began to chop again. Suddenly a storm came whipping across the desert in its fullest force. After the storm passed the Maharajah saw the damage that had been done to the houses and the fields. Now he understood the importance of the trees to the villagers. He told the villagers he admired their courage and promised them that their trees would not be cut. The villagers rejoiced. The place of Amrita's tree became a special place so the people would never forget the tree's sacrifice. Some believe that even today Amrita comes to visit the spot of her special tree.

A little boy named Chang, a name which means honest, lived with his mother and white cat. He spent each day cutting firewood for his mother. One day he saw an old man fall from a single log bridge into the river. Chang rushed to save the old man. The old man was impressed with Chang's courage and selflessness and gave him a small dragon boat. When the old man said, "Grow bigger! Grow bigger! May you brave the wind and water!" the boat turned into a large vessel . When he said, "Grow smaller! Grow smaller! May you be a toy again!" the boat became a toy again. The old man left Chang with the toy boat and told him that if he ever needed help he was to call to the east, "Grandfather! Grandfather!" The old man disappeared. Soon the rains came. It rained for ten days and ten nights. The water began to rise. Chang brought out his boat and speaking the magic words turned it into a mighty vessel that he, his mother, and cat boarded. As they sailed on the rising sea they spied an ant, a bee, and a crane that were drowning. They rescued each of them and once a board the boat they began to help row and steer the boat. They spied a man struggling in the water and rescued him. His name was Ying, which means tricky. Once aboard the boat he refused to help. He stretched out on the deck and gave orders to the others. Once the rain stopped and the water receded, Chang returned to his village, and saying the magic words changed the boat into a toy. Ying saw this and wanted this magic boat. Chang set about rebuilding his house that had been destroyed in the flood. His mother, the cat and the other animals they rescued helped Chang. Ying did nothing but give orders. One day he suggested that Chang give him the magic boat so he could take it to the Emperor who would give a lot of money for the boat. This money could be used to rebuild the house. Being a trusting person Chang gave the magic boat to Ying. Time passed and Ying had not returned. Chang went in search of Ying and the boat. He searched for days. One day he heard a large procession coming and the announcement that the Prime Minister was approaching. The Prime Minister was none other than Ying. Chang was furious at Ying for stealing his boat, and Ying was fearful of Chang, knowing he had cheated him. He had Chang arrested. When Chang did not return home the animals went searching for him. They found him hungry, dirty, and bruised. They returned home with hime and restored him to health. They decided to return to the Emperor and tell them their story. But first they had to find a way to enter the palace. Word was that the Emperor's daughter was ill and any one who could cure her would be given one wish. Chang disguised himself as a doctor and went to the palace. Chang was taken before the Emperor. Seated next to him was Ying who recognized Chang and wanted him arrested. The Emperor anxious to find a cure for his daughter decided to allow Chang an opportunity to cure her. Chang pulled out his little red bag of magic medicine and cured her. The Emperor very happy and gave Chang one wish. His wish was for the return of his magic boat. The Emperor was reluctant. Ying and the Emperor decided to trick Chang. If Chang could select the Princess from her seven maids when they were all disguised then he could have the boat. The Princess and her maidens were brought before Chang. The queen bee buzzed around the head of the Princess so he made the right selection. The Emperor again refused to give him the boat. The Emperor told Chang that he had to prove to him that the boat was his. Chang remembered the words of the old man and called to the east, "Grandfather! Grandfather!" The old man appeared riding a golden phoenix and told the Emperor that he had given the boat to Chang. The Emperor and Ying refused again. The animals began to chant, "Turn Ying into an old gray wolf and the Emperor into a big wild pig." And the old man did! Chang retrieved his boat and returned home with his friends. He used the boat to help other in times of need and to bring joy in times of peace.

A woman lived with her three children, Shang. Tao, and Paotze, in the country. One day she left to visit their grandmother leaving the three children alone. She would not be returning until the next day. The old wolf had been watching the house and saw the mother leave. He went to the door, knocked two times and told the children that he was their grandmother, their Po Po, coming to visit them. The wolf tricked the children into letting him inside the house and into their bed. They questioned his low voice, his foot with a bush on it, his hands with thorns on them. The eldest child recognized the wolf and devised a plan to get him. They ran from the house and climbed the nearby gingko tree. They convinced the wolf to tie a rope to a basket, climb into a basket, and throw the rope up to them so they could pull him up the tree and he could sample the ginko nuts. As they pulled the wolf up the tree they let go of the ropes so that he fell to the ground. They did this several times until he was finally dead and no longer a threat to them. The children climbed down the tree and ran into the house where they waited until their mother returned. The next day she arrived from the real Po Po's house with baskets of food.

A woman lived with her three children, Shang. Tao, and Paotze, in the country. One day she left to visit their grandmother leaving the three children alone. She would not be returning until the next day. The old wolf had been watching the house and saw the mother leave. He went to the door, knocked two times and told the children that he was their grandmother, their Po Po, coming to visit them. The wolf tricked the children into letting him inside the house and into their bed. They questioned his low voice, his foot with a bush on it, his hands with thorns on them. The eldest child recognized the wolf and devised a plan to get him. They ran from the house and climbed the nearby gingko tree. They convinced the wolf to tie a rope to a basket, climb into a basket, and throw the rope up to them so they could pull him up the tree and he could sample the ginko nuts. As they pulled the wolf up the tree they let go of the ropes so that he fell to the ground. They did this several times until he was finally dead and no longer a threat to them. The children climbed down the tree and ran into the house where they waited until their mother returned. The next day she arrived from the real Po Po's house with baskets of food.