Little Almond Blossoms

A Book of Chinese Stories for Children

Excerpt: ...of a sharp voice she walked along the path until she came to a most beautiful peacock, gorgeous in the spread of its wonderful plumage. This pleased her more than any of the others, because the peacock feather is sacred to the Chinese, and is used in their temples where they pray to the joss. The peacock's offering was a very large bunch of these brilliant feathers, to take to her mo chun, while it said in a queer, sharp voice, --"It matters not, my little one, how stormy is the weather; The joss will always care for those who have a peacock feather." "Now for the last place," said Queen Bunny; and following the sound of a terrible screeching noise, they climbed a ladder into a tall tree, and there was a beautiful American eagle. It was not cross a bit, as eagles usually are, but was singing, --"The gift I have, little girl, for you Is three big eggs--red, white, and blue." It seemed to Mun Chee that the best came last, for these were such beautiful eggs, and so different from any of the others. Her basket was quite full now, and as she saw the shade growing more dense beneath the trees she thought it must be quite time for her to return to her own home. So, after bidding good-by to all the royal company of white rabbits, and having her arms filled with the fragrant China lilies, she sprang upon the queen's back once more, and sped away--away--far from the Easter palace--the palace of a dream. PING PONG AND PING YET PING PONG AND PING YET PING PONG was not a game, but a dear little Chinese boy, who was eagerly looking forward to something which was almost like an American Christmas. The Chinese do not have any Christmas, but they have something else which serves the purpose, as far as their eager little hearts are concerned, and ..