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Firefly in the Peony Pond

We were dancing to the song of the frogs on the breath of the still pond when Lady Aya came out into the garden with her maidens. The moon had risen, round and silver. Lady Aya said, “The moon is a love-lorn lady; but have you seen her faint sister who is sadder and...

Pine from Heaven

A Deity from High Heaven planted me. It was so long ago that the crane cannot remember it, and the tortoise knows it only by hearsay from his great-grandmother. Lightly, lightly, the Deity came by way of the Floating Bridge, bearing me in his right hand. Lightly,...

Young Fool Who Makes a Wise Wish

I begged my brothers to let me go with them when they set out to see the world, but they would have nothing of it. We’d all been given a wish, and we were told to make sure it was our best wish. My two elder brothers wished that every time they put their hands in...

Bee Who Knows How to Help

Prince Ivan, he comes to pieces so easily! He sat on a stone by the sea and wept while Baba Yaga’s mares stood in water up to their necks. We herded them with our stingers. Ivan didn’t see a thing, he was so lost in his own torment. After the sun set, I...

Princess Martha Who Changes the Life a Stable Boy

There is something different about that stable boy. All he seems to want to do is sleep. The stable master beats him for his indolence but then he goes to sleep again! I’ll rouse him. Better still, I’ll raise him up. I’ll give him a better life now...