Kid fairy tale
Big Flower Dog Huanhuan is getting ready to direct a fairy tale play titled “The Old Man in Autumn.” The kind-hearted old man is the protagonist of the play. Huanhuan hasn’t found a suitable actor yet, so he visits Corn Mama’s house to borrow a prop—some whiskers.
— Knock, knock, knock. Huanhuan knocks on the door.
— Who is it? Come on in. A muffled voice from inside.
— Oh, it’s Huanhuan! Come, come, please sit.
— Hello, Corn Grandpa! Huanhuan greets politely.
Corn Grandpa bends down, shakes his beautiful whiskers, and hands Huanhuan a small stool.
— So naughty, take those whiskers off, or Grandpa will spank you. Corn Mama scolds “Corn Grandpa.”
Huanhuan doesn’t understand what’s going on, looking from Corn Mama to “Corn Grandpa.”
When “Corn Grandpa” takes off the whiskers, Huanhuan realizes it’s Corn Doll.
— Haha, you look just like him. Huanhuan praises.
Huanhuan tells Corn Mama, “I’m getting ready to put on a fairy tale play and would like to borrow Corn Grandpa’s whiskers.”
Corn Mama says, “Sure, no problem. My Corn Doll loves acting, do you have any roles available?”
Huanhuan looks at Corn Doll and, after thinking for a while, says, “Let Corn Doll play the old man.”
— Oh, I’m the old man now. Corn Doll makes a funny face in delight.
After seeing Huanhuan off, Corn Mama says, “Playing the old man isn’t easy. You need to put in some effort.”
— Sure thing! Corn Doll replies.
Corn Doll puts on the whiskers, walks with his hands behind his back, bends over, clears his throat, and starts practicing.
— Cough, cough. Corn Doll coughs twice.
— Mama, do I sound like him?
— A bit! Corn Mama says.
— Cough, cough, cough. Corn Doll coughs loudly.
Corn Mama says, “You can’t just practice coughing; there’s much more to it.”
Corn Doll proudly says, “I know.”
He practices walking, talking, checking his reflection, and asking for his mother’s opinion, sweating all the while.
Mama says, “That’s about right. Take a break.”
Corn Doll, happy as can be, gives his mother a kiss. He thinks, “This time, I’m going to shine. Oh, right, I should show the director first.”
Corn Doll, not bothering to wipe his sweat, rushes to find Huanhuan.
Corn Doll finds Huanhuan and says, “Director, let me show you what I’ve practiced. See if you’re satisfied.”
Corn Doll practices each move, reciting lines, making gestures, and showing expressions, very seriously. Huanhuan tilts his head, feeling something is missing. Is it a bit over the top? Is Corn Doll being too exaggerated?
Huanhuan says, “Okay, that’s enough. I’ll ask Little White Rabbit to practice with you.”
The story involves an old man with a magical persimmon tree, bearing just one big, red persimmon. The old man sits under the tree every day, looking at the persimmon and thinking about his greatest wish.
’The persimmon can only fulfill one person’s wish. You make a wish and eat the persimmon, and your wish comes true. The old man, being very old, decides his greatest wish is to become younger. He picks the persimmon and is about to make his wish when Little White Rabbit collapses before him, one leg caught in a hunter’s trap.
The old man says, “Little White, my poor child.”
Little White cries in pain, “Old man, can you find a doctor for me?”
The old man says, “A doctor can’t save you, Little White.”
Little White moans, “Ouch, ouch, it hurts so much.”
The old man, seeing the persimmon in his hand, eyes brightening, says, “Little White, make a wish and eat the persimmon.”
Little White, with tears, asks, “What good will that do?”
The old man encourages, “Maybe a miracle will happen.”
Little White whispers, “Let my leg be healed; my greatest wish is to run freely and happily.”
Little White takes a bite, then another, and another.
The persimmon is gone, and Little White stands up.
— Old man, thank you.
Corn Doll holds the persimmon to Little White, saying, “Here, child, make a wish!”
Huanhuan frowns, “Stop, stop!”
Huanhuan points at Corn Doll and says, “When you give the persimmon to Little White, your hand should be open, not clenched. Start again.”
— Here…
— Stop. Why are your fingers stiff and not straight? Are you sincere in giving it? You’re a kind old man, right? Look at you, like a miser. Huanhuan gets a bit angry.
Corn Doll loves eating persimmons and is reluctant to give them away. But since this is acting, it doesn’t matter.
Corn Doll thinks he’s right, but still makes mistakes in the performance.
In the end, Huanhuan, frustrated, says, “If you can’t do it right, I’ll find another actor.”
With tears in his eyes, Corn Doll goes home. Corn Mama, worried, asks, “Child, did it go wrong? Tell Mama, I’ll help you.”
Corn Doll recounts the rehearsal to Mama, who sighs, “Child, on stage or off, in the play or out, it’s the same. If you’re a miser, how can you act generously? It’s my fault for spoiling you.”
Corn Mama takes out a persimmon, “Here, take it. Mama will practice with you.”
— Knock, knock, knock. Little Freedom knocks on the door.
— Corn Doll, don’t be sad. I’ll practice with you. I know you don’t want to lose this chance.
Corn Doll, feeling warm inside, hands the persimmon from Mama to Little White, saying, “Little White, here.”
Corn Doll sincerely offers it, not thinking of the play. Little White, surprised, says, “Great, you’ve done it.”
— Hurry, eat it. We have plenty more. Corn Doll urges Little White.
Little White, feeling awkward, says, “Corn Doll, we’re rehearsing, don’t take it seriously.”
Corn Doll says, “Eat first, we’ll talk later.”
They push and pull, arguing over the persimmon. Suddenly, it falls but lands in Huanhuan’s hand.
Huanhuan, regretting his outburst, came to apologize.
Seeing Corn Doll and Little White pushing the persimmon, Huanhuan gets confused.
This wasn’t in the script.
Huanhuan is delighted, “Corn Doll, you’re acting great.”
Corn Doll says, “Director, we haven’t started yet.”
Huanhuan tells them both the official performance is tomorrow night, and to get some rest.
Huanhuan leaves.
Corn Doll is dumbfounded: Is the director drunk, talking nonsense? Only Corn Mama knows what role Corn Doll is truly playing.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
