My name is Yeh-Shen. I live with my stepmother and stepsister. My parents died when I was very young. My stepmother dislikes me, though I am not sure why. My only friend is a fish I caught. My stepmother gives me the ugliest rags, while she and her own daughter wear the nicest clothing that we own. Although I sew the nicest clothes, they insist that I wear the rags that my rude stepsister made.
Me
Go gather firewood. When you are done, do the chores on this list.
CHORES
Stepmother
My fish
Stepsister
Once I had finished, I returned to my fish to visit once again. To my astonishment, it was gone! Standing nearby was an elderly man. He told me that the fish's bones can grant wishes, and then he rose into the air! I found the bones and hid them where my stepmother will not find them.
Your stepmother found your secret and your fish was her lunch.
The bones of your fish have power. The spirit will grant you wishes, but do not waste this gift.
Several days later, it was time for the festival. All young adults would go to find a spouse. . . except for me. My stepmother demanded that I stay home so that her daughter has the first choice of suitor. They set off in their finest clothing. I begged my dear friend the fish for help. The spirit answered! At once, I was wearing a beautiful outfit.
I just need to go to the festival! Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease???
Do not lose your golden shoes.
The festival took place by a beautiful waterfall on top of the mountain. I ran inside excitedly in my new blue dress, but I immediately encountered my stepsister. She glanced at me and said, "She resembles Yeh-Shen, my stepsister!" to the man she was talking to.
Me
SPRING FESTIVAL
That girl in blue - she looks like my stepsister!
Stepsister
Terrified, I ran away as quickly as possible. In my haste, I accidentally lost one of my shoes! The second it fell off my foot, my dress turned back to my old brown rags! I kept running without stopping. I hurried home and hide the one shoe left behind in my bed. I realized that I had ignored the warning of the spirit and it would no longer talk to me. The only way for me to get my friend back would be to find my other shoe.
L A T E R . . .
Later, without my knowledge, the slipper was found and traded and it ended up in the king's possession! Small feet are a sign of beauty in China, and the king wanted to know who the owner of the shoe was, so he set it up by the road near where the festival had taken place. I snuck away from home that night and went to get the shoe, hoping that I could reunite it with its mate to please the spirit.
The king followed me home, where he asked for me to try on the slippers. I did, and I was once again wearing the beautiful blue dress! He asked me to marry him, and I accepted. We got married and lived long happy lives together in the palace, although my stepmother and stepsister died of a collapse in the cave. Sometimes I miss my parents, but I learned that jealousy never wins.