First published 1990
Across the vast sweep of Chinese history, storytellers gather their most memorable characters and situations into this collection. A quick-thinking peasant outwits a corrupt official during the Ming dynasty. A merchant's daughter uses her intelligence to solve a puzzle that has stumped scholars. A humble servant turns the tables on his arrogant master through pure cleverness. These twenty-four stories range from elaborate plots that unfold over pages to lightning-quick anecdotes that deliver their punch in mere paragraphs. Each tale showcases ordinary people using their brains rather than brute force to navigate challenges. The characters rely on practical wisdom earned through daily life rather than book learning. Some stories make readers laugh out loud at their surprise endings. Others reveal deeper truths about human nature through simple situations. Together, they capture the Chinese tradition of celebrating mental agility and common sense over wealth or status.
Genres: short-stories, historical-fiction, folklore
Vibes: thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, underdog
Setting: China, Ming Dynasty
Period: Chinese History
112 pages · Paperback · Houghton Mifflin Harcourt