Chinese Fables And Folk Stories

by Mary Hayes Davis

A collection of Chinese folktales and fables reflecting home and school life.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens

214 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1908

Reviews

[♡ Diyasha ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW: CHINESE FABLES AND FOLK STORIES 
AUTHOR: MARY HAYES DAVIS & CHOW-LEUNG

This is one of the most rare classics that quietly sit on the shelf yet carry the cultural heartbeat of an entire civilization. This collection gathers some interesting Chinese folk tales collection - that of course brings back your childhood. Like they are telling you some secrets of your childhood.

The picturesque images of villages, children, countryside carry the generation's oral tradition. The book is simple on the surface but rich beneath. Each story is gentle in tone but powerful in its lesson, reflecting the values that shaped everyday mindset. That gratitude, patience, cleverness and humility - all because of these classics.

The literary and historical meaning of this book is quite impressive- while the stories are rooted in Chinese culture, the lessons resonate worldwide, especially with Indian readers who are used to Panchatantra style fables. 

The stories are simple yet unforgettable - they are calming, soothing and light. 

[Nova · Rating 1 out of 5]

A collection of Chinese tales as the name suggests.
Mainly animal-themed and Confucius-teachings-related ones. Encouraging modesty and selfless-ness while discouraging arrogance and narcissism.
However, I prefer Japanese mythology and folk tales better. I've simply found them more interesting and mysterious.

[readerkd · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I recently finished reading Chinese Fables and Folk Stories and I honestly enjoyed this book more than I expected. It instantly reminded me of Panchatantra — that same cute charm of using animals, birds, bugs, and other tiny characters to teach life lessons in the simplest way possible. There is something very comforting about stories told through creatures we see every day, yet never think about deeply. It makes the experience innocent and refreshing.

What really stood out to me were the illustrations. Every page looks like a beautifully painted scene, full of colors and emotions. You don’t just read the story, you actually feel it through the pictures. Kids can stare at the artwork for minutes and build their own imagination around it. Honestly, half the magic of this book lies in those pages.

The morals at the end are short, clear, and easy to understand. But personally, in a few stories I found lessons that were slightly different from what was written. And I loved that! That’s the beauty of good storytelling — every reader can interpret it in their own way. It makes the book more meaningful and worth re-reading.

This book gives a warm hug kind of vibe — something you want to curl up with on a cozy winter night. It’s perfect for bedtime reading with children, one story every night. Small stories with lasting thoughts. The kind that stays with you quietly.

Overall, a very sweet and thoughtful collection. Definitely a great addition to kids’ reading shelves, and honestly, even adults will find a little piece of peace here.

[Jaka Kun · Rating 4 out of 5]

A inicios de año compré el Suplicio del Aroma del Sándalo, de Mo Yang, pensando que sería el primer libro chino que leería, pero se me atravesó esta antología de cuentos y no pude dejar pasar la oportunidad.

Son 37 cuentos que se leen muy rápido. Me parece que en general todos hablan en mayor o menor medida sobre la humildad de aceptar nuestro papel y el de los demás en el mundo y sobre honrar a nuestros padres y a la naturaleza, aunque en algunos las historias son... digamos que bizarras (Dos Madres y Un Hijo, estoy viéndote a ti), pero en general son sencillos, y una ventana interesante para visitar el pensamiento y culturas del pueblo Chino de hace algunos cientos de años.

[Chaitali Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chinese Fables and Folk Stories sent by Bee Books turned out to be such a 𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙚𝙩 𝙖 𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙀𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙘𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙣, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩, 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙜 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙨 𝙩𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚, 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨.

These ancient Chinese tales come packed with values, humour, imagination & that old-world charm we hardly get to see anymore.

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙩𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙥𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘,𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙨,𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙨,𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙙𝙤𝙢 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙚.

Special props to @krishnendu5471 for the absolutely 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚-𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠.

Every story brings a new shade of wisdom, patience,grace,making this book perfect for readers of any age,especially for days when you want something calming,thoughtful,beautifully rooted in culture.

My personal favourites:
The Boy Who Would Not Tell a Lie
The Boy Who Wanted the Impossible
Three Girls Who Went to Boys’ School

A lovely, soothing read and one I genuinely think you must pick up.

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#CulturalReads #TimelessTales #ShortStoriesCollection #ReadersOfInstagram
#BookRecommendation #CalmingReads #AtmosphericReads #CoffeeTableBooks
#BookReviewIndia #ChaitaliReads #MethodicalMomReads

[Archana Ashok · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In the San-Wui district, in the garden of a rich merchant, lived the Lon-da-Tang (rattan vine) and the Mui-Kwi (rose tree). One day, the rose tree said to the rattan vine, 'Lon-da-Tang, please tell me how you grow so fast."

I have read a lot of folktales from India and Japan. Though I have read a few Chinese classics, I had not got an opportunity to read a folktale from China. When I saw the existing of this book, I decided to give it a try. Now that I have completed reading it, I can't wait to share these stories with everyone.

The book 'Chinese Fables and Folk Stories' by Mary Hayes Davis and Chow-Leung is a collection of short stories. These are basically old folktales and stories from ancient China. Reading these set of sagas will give you a glimpse of the Chinese culture and traditions.

I learned a lot through these stories. Reading a different country's folktale not only gives you knowledge about their customs, but it will also help you in appreciating your own culture. This is exactly what happened here. The book is targeted from young readers to adults, and it is a good collection.

The beautiful illustrations added to the joy and enhanced my reading experience. Actually, to be honest, I did not expect colored illustrations when I first picked this book. Trust me, I squealed in excitement as I saw the beautiful colored illustrations and images.

[Booknerd_dragon (TANIA) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chinese Fables and Folk Stories by Mary Hayes Davis and Chow Leung was such a delight to read. Honestly, the moment I received the book, I was already smiling. The visuals are absolutely gorgeous—soft, cute illustrations that instantly set the tone. It feels like the kind of book you pick up on a quiet winter evening, wrapped in a blanket, just reading for comfort and calm.
The stories themselves are very short, folklore-style tales, making this an incredibly easy and quick read. You can finish it fast, or read one story at a time whenever you need a gentle pause. Some stories hit beautifully, some a little less, but overall the collection feels heartfelt, light, and soothing rather than heavy or demanding. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t ask for commitment, just your presence for a few peaceful moments.
What I loved most is how perfect this feels for closing the year or starting a new one. It’s simple, warm, and quietly meaningful. I’m genuinely happy recommending books like this right now because they remind you that reading doesn’t always have to be intense—sometimes it can just be kind.
I’d rate this around 3.5 to 4 stars. Not every story stayed with me, but the overall experience absolutely did. If you’re looking for something cozy, beautiful, and comforting, this one’s worth picking up. 🌸

[JT · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of stories that transport the reader in the world of Chinese folk lore and fables with its wisdom and wit.

The stories in this compilation deal with a range of themes. Capturing the essence of the Chinese native knowledge, the book has several lesser known fables of Chinese literature. From people to animals to personified natural elements, the characters in the stories have a wide range.

The stories all convey the ancient Chinese wisdom. Some specifically deal with the sagacious advice of Confucius. The morals of the stories range from peace, harmony, humility, good company etc establishing the fact that Chinese lore is full of wise stories. The story telling and the simple language bridge the gap between the original stories and the translation nicely. The values and the traditions of the culture have been beautifully depicted in the stories. The translations have managed to capture the vibes of the original stories.

The bite-sized stories can be read by the readers of all ages. They provide life lessons in an easy to understand and fun manner. The elegant illustrations aid the stories and create a pleasant reading experience.

Overall, this is an appreciable effort to readers from other lands with the wonderful world of Chinese tales.

[Garima · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Chinese fables and folk stories” is a beautiful collection of folk stories filled with so much wisdom. The stories are short and filled with meaningful lessons.

The stories are translated really well from the original texts, it keeps the meaning and essence alive of each story. The stories are simple, crisp and full of insights.

The cover of the book is the first thing that catches the attention and I think it is created beautifully. The illustrations inside are very appealing and adds an engaging touch to the stories.

The stories range from various elements like nature, animals, god, humans and magic. The storytelling is really good. One of my favourite story is “How the Moon Became Beautiful”.

The stories very calmly gives you the best lessons on kindness and empathy and also encourages the younger generations to learn about their culture, customs and preserve it. The book gives you a chance to dive into Chinese folk tales and their customs along with really good lessons.

This book is definitely a treat for young minds and adults as well. All the beautiful stories with lots of wisdom and moral lessons is a great addition in kids collection. Overall it’s a beautiful compilation of amazing life lessons with stories and engaging illustrations.

[Trisha Halder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, Chinese Fables and Folk Stories by Mary Hayes Davis and Chow-Leung, offers a collection of 35 traditional Chinese tales aimed at sharing China’s cultural essence with a worldwide audience. The authors emphasize that these stories have rarely been presented to English-speaking readers before. The translation seeks to convey the “Chinese thoughts” behind the original narratives. As noted in the introduction, a precise word-for-word translation is impossible due to linguistic and cultural differences. Therefore, this version serves as a valuable first step in making these fables accessible to a global readership.
Designed for children aged 6 to 12, the book prioritizes simplicity and moral lessons rather than intricate storytelling or complex character development. This straightforward approach makes it highly suitable for young readers but limits its appeal to older teens or adults who often seek deeper plot twists or intellectual challenges. Among the tales, “The Snail and the Bees” and “The Widow and Her Son” stand out for their focus on kindness, offering important lessons for children. Overall, it is well-suited for young readers and worth a try!

[Tanushri · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a child, whenever I had trouble sleeping, my grandmother used to narrate a folk story. And I would start imagining the characters and dream about them. Folk tales are always fascinating to hear and read. They reflect the local culture and history and are great source to learn about the people as well.

This book, Chinese fables and folk stories, are a collection of Chinese folk tales which tells the reader about its rich cultural heritage, local traditions and communities in a very interesting and creative way. These stories have been passed down through generations where the characters of these stories are animals, birds and different people.

The stories are simple with a lesson in each story. The characters of the e stories are something we see around us. Like every local folk tale, these stories represent the local people, communities, traditions and culture. I loved the stories specially, How the Moon became beautiful, The boy of perfect Disposition and A little Chinese Rose. The book is perfect for all ages of readers and can be read easily in a day or two.

[Shweta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chinese Fables and Folk Stories looks like a simple collection of stories on the surface but it takes you on a journey to heartbeat of ancient China, its cultural values, wisdom and ways of living that shaped generations.

The collection brings together witty animals, wise sages, magic, and simplistic yet clever moral lessons, but what makes it special is how effortlessly it carries the flavour of Chinese culture. Every story feels like being recounted by many storytellers through ancient times yet these stories feels perfect for modern times as well.

What I loved most is how each fable reflects something deeper: a reminder about humility, cleverness, patience, or human nature itself. You don’t need prior knowledge of Chinese history to enjoy it; the stories themselves guide you into the world, offering tiny glimpses of traditions, beliefs, and ways of thinking that define China’s cultural soul.

If you enjoy world folklore, cultural history, or simply beautifully told tales with meaning, this one belongs on your shelf.

[Shilo Parcel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories were captivating and the narration was top-notch, making for an immersive listening experience. What I particularly appreciated about this audiobook is how it provides an insight into Chinese culture and beliefs through its traditional fables and folk stories. Each tale had a moral lesson that was conveyed in a simply yet profound way, leaving me with valuable insights and lessons to ponder upon. I also enjoyed how the book was guided by Phillipa Soo ,who did an exceptional job for the different characters and situations that arose in the stories. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves folklore, mythology, or is simply looking for a great listening experience.

[Meenal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection contains 35 Chinese folk tales translated into English.

The reason this is so special is that the Chinese spoken and written languages are very different. For a long time, there was no record of their folktales. This is the first book in the world to attempt to document traditional Chinese stories.

Every individual story features characters who are mostly from middle-class or poor backgrounds. This makes the stories relatable to ordinary readers anywhere in the world.

As a disclaimer, there is a certain glitch in almost all translated books that sometimes makes sentences difficult to read or nonsensical. But the number of such sentences is not so much as to ruin your reading experience.

The stories are light-hearted and easy to understand. The inclusion of nature, weather, animals, and timeless aspects of human life makes you feel as though you are reading a folk tale from your own region rather than a foreign country. Learning some Chinese names is a fun bonus.

My favourite story is the explanation of why some people perceive a lady in the moon. I had heard various versions before, and this was another sweet take.

Obviously, it is intended for children and will be a valuable read for them. However, even I got to learn a lot of things, so other groups may also find it enjoyable.

Overall, this book is a window into the elusive Chinese culture that many know only through China’s state-controlled media. It also sparks curiosity about how other local traditions have shaped the world as we know it. I wonder how many popular stories have been lost because they were never documented. To that extent, this book is a great effort.

[أثير · Rating 1 out of 5]

يجمع الكتاب بين ثناياه قصص الصين الخرافية وأساطيرها والتي تحمل الحكمة على لسان الحيوان والنبات حينا وعلى لسان البشر أحياناً أخرى ليتم توريثها جيلا بعد جيل.

يُعد الكتاب الأول من نوعه في هذا المجال باللغة الإنجليزية حين صدوره عام 1908م، لكن للأسف لم ترقى الترجمة العربية لمستوى يليق به.