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The Wise Washerman: A Folktale from Burma
When the king asks him to wash a gray elephant white, a clever washerman outwits his jealous neighbor and proves the value of hard work and intelligence
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1996
8 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Froese
8 books8 followersDeborah Froese is passionate about stories. As the mother of three energetic and creative young men, she has no shortage of fodder. Deborah is the author of three books for young people and numerous non-fiction articles. She serves as the editorial director for Rebelight Publishing Inc. and the director of news services for Mennonite Church Canada.
All three of her books—The Wise Washerman (Hyperion Press, 1994), Out of the Fire (Sumach Press, 2001), and Mr. Jacobson’s Window (Peanut Butter Press, 2014)—have been short-listed for the McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award for Young People. Her YA novel, Out of the Fire, was shortlisted for the Canadian Library Association’s Young Adult Canadian Book Award and included on the American Library Association’s list of the Best Books for Young Adults, 2003. It also received a Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award (MYRCA) 2003 Honour Certificate.
Since 1996, Deborah has shared insights and experience about writing through school workshops and readings, and in various venues with adults who are interested in learning to write for younger audiences.
Reading and writing continue to fill empty pockets and corners of time.
“As a reader, I find that books add a measure of experience to my own life story. They open my eyes to other perspectives and share something of worlds I have never before encountered,” she says. “As a writer, that tells me I have a responsibility to recognize the direct and indirect power of words. When I write, I need to consider what I want to leave with readers.”
All three of her books—The Wise Washerman (Hyperion Press, 1994), Out of the Fire (Sumach Press, 2001), and Mr. Jacobson’s Window (Peanut Butter Press, 2014)—have been short-listed for the McNally Robinson Book of the Year Award for Young People. Her YA novel, Out of the Fire, was shortlisted for the Canadian Library Association’s Young Adult Canadian Book Award and included on the American Library Association’s list of the Best Books for Young Adults, 2003. It also received a Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award (MYRCA) 2003 Honour Certificate.
Since 1996, Deborah has shared insights and experience about writing through school workshops and readings, and in various venues with adults who are interested in learning to write for younger audiences.
Reading and writing continue to fill empty pockets and corners of time.
“As a reader, I find that books add a measure of experience to my own life story. They open my eyes to other perspectives and share something of worlds I have never before encountered,” she says. “As a writer, that tells me I have a responsibility to recognize the direct and indirect power of words. When I write, I need to consider what I want to leave with readers.”
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February 24, 2022
The Wise Washerman: A Folktale from Burma by Deborah Froese (goodreads author), Illustrator Wang Kui- The book narrates the story of a Burmese Washerman Ahang Kiyang, his neighbor Potter Narethu and King of Burma Pagam Mein. Ahang is a hardworking washerman. Clothes washed by him are as white as snow. His neighbor Narethu is lazy. Narethu in unable to tolerate the praise showered by people on Ahang. In the afternoon, while Ahang was cleaning and drying his clothes, Narethu sat under the shade of a tree and planned against Ahang. Narethu collected gifts for King Pagam and visited his capital. During his talk with the King, he suggested that Ahang can wash his black elephant into a white elephant. King Pagam appreciated the proposal. He called Ahang and ordered him to wash his elephant so clean that his colour be white. Ahang laid the condition that a large earthen tub should be basked so that the elephant can stand on it. This festival was named Thengyan. Narethu backed the tub and asked the King to bring the elephant to stand on the tub. The tub broke because of the weight of the elephant. King viewed this incident. He was angry and ordered that Narethu be thrown out of this territory and be sent to North Burma. King sat on his elephant and participated in the Thengyan festival. Ahang returned to his work. His popularity was so much that he got more washing work from people. Coloured illustrations help the reader in relating to the story. I have read the Hindi language translation of this book.
Displaying 1 of 1 review