A Tale of Two Rice Birds: A Folktale from Thailand

Rating:
Summary: The Thai folktale of the two reincarnated rice birds
Review: We are told that all the children in Thailand know the story of the two rice birds, learning it either from their grandparents or in school. The story is considered important because it helps children learn about traditions and Buddhist beliefs that are important to the Thai culture. What is most impressive about "A Tale of Two Rice Birds: A Folktale from Thailand" as adapted by Clare Hodgson Meeker and illustrated by Christine Lamb, is that this is a complex story that is actually three stories in one.

The first story is that of two rice birds who build their nest in a teakwood tree on a ridge between two rice fields in the center of Thailand where the Chao Phraya River flows. The two rice birds like to stop and sip nectar from the lotus blossoms when they grew thirsty, but they had to be careful because they did not want to be caught when the petals of the flowers closes. In time the rice birds hatched three baby birds and so the mother rice bird would stay and watching the hatchlings while the father rice bird searched for food. But one day he stopped at the lotus pond for a drink and forgot the rising sun. Trapped inside the closed petals of the lotus, the father rice bird was not there to protect his family when disaster strikes. In the wake of the tragedy the mother rice bird declares, "If I am reborn a human, I will speak to no man again."

The second story is one that will be familiar to many young readers as the mother rice bird is reborn as a princess in a kingdom high in the mountains who never spoke to men, not even to her father. The king issues a proclamation that "Any man who can move the princess to speak shall be the one to marry her." The father rice bird is reborn a farmer's son and when he hears of the king's proclamation something deep inside him stirs and he heads off to the kingdom where the princess lives. When it is his turn to try and get the princess to speak, the farmer's son uses a special gift to tell a third story, which poses a very interesting riddle.

The story with the riddle would be a good story just by itself and the prologue of the two rice birds is on of the more extended introductory scenes you will come across in such a story. This folktale incorporates Thai words and phrases while the story weaves themes of prophecy, destiny, reincarnation, enchantment and love together. Buddhism teaches that individuals can reach goals through good deeds and good intentions. Consequently, "A Tale of Two Rice Birds" provides a rich introduction to Thai culture.

Lamb's illustrations are based on Thai mural art, a classic art form commissioned by kings for the walls of temples and royal palaces. The murals tell epic stories of love or of famous battles, the latter celebrating the fact that Thailand has never been colonized by another people (literally translated the word "Thai" means "free"). Hopefully teachers using this book for a class unit on Thailand will be able to find some photographs of some of the actual murals to share with their students.

Rating:
Summary: The Thai folktale of the two reincarnated rice birds
Review: We are told that all the children in Thailand know the story of the two rice birds, learning it either from their grandparents or in school. The story is considered important because it helps children learn about traditions and Buddhist beliefs that are important to the Thai culture. What is most impressive about "A Tale of Two Rice Birds: A Folktale from Thailand" as adapted by Clare Hodgson Meeker and illustrated by Christine Lamb, is that this is a complex story that is actually three stories in one.

The first story is that of two rice birds who build their nest in a teakwood tree on a ridge between two rice fields in the center of Thailand where the Chao Phraya River flows. The two rice birds like to stop and sip nectar from the lotus blossoms when they grew thirsty, but they had to be careful because they did not want to be caught when the petals of the flowers closes. In time the rice birds hatched three baby birds and so the mother rice bird would stay and watching the hatchlings while the father rice bird searched for food. But one day he stopped at the lotus pond for a drink and forgot the rising sun. Trapped inside the closed petals of the lotus, the father rice bird was not there to protect his family when disaster strikes. In the wake of the tragedy the mother rice bird declares, "If I am reborn a human, I will speak to no man again."

The second story is one that will be familiar to many young readers as the mother rice bird is reborn as a princess in a kingdom high in the mountains who never spoke to men, not even to her father. The king issues a proclamation that "Any man who can move the princess to speak shall be the one to marry her." The father rice bird is reborn a farmer's son and when he hears of the king's proclamation something deep inside him stirs and he heads off to the kingdom where the princess lives. When it is his turn to try and get the princess to speak, the farmer's son uses a special gift to tell a third story, which poses a very interesting riddle.

The story with the riddle would be a good story just by itself and the prologue of the two rice birds is on of the more extended introductory scenes you will come across in such a story. This folktale incorporates Thai words and phrases while the story weaves themes of prophecy, destiny, reincarnation, enchantment and love together. Buddhism teaches that individuals can reach goals through good deeds and good intentions. Consequently, "A Tale of Two Rice Birds" provides a rich introduction to Thai culture.

Lamb's illustrations are based on Thai mural art, a classic art form commissioned by kings for the walls of temples and royal palaces. The murals tell epic stories of love or of famous battles, the latter celebrating the fact that Thailand has never been colonized by another people (literally translated the word "Thai" means "free"). Hopefully teachers using this book for a class unit on Thailand will be able to find some photographs of some of the actual murals to share with their students.