Inspired by the story of a family friend whose father was sent to a labor camp during the Chinese Cultural Revolution between 19, Ji-li Jiang wrote Red Kite, Blue Kite “for the many fathers and sons who suffered during that turmoil.” Jiang’s story is a universal and relevant reminder of the precious freedoms of thought and speech that need constant and vigilant protection. They are free, flying everywhere.”Īn Author’s Note about the Chinese Cultural Revolution follows the text. They hop and giggle and cheer as they rise and dive, soaring and lunging together. The sky “is filled with kites-red and blue. Tai Shan runs to Baba, and Baba runs toward Tai Shan. He sees Baba smiling at him and “holding the string of a huge blue kite dancing in the sky.” Tai Shan’s friends are also smiling and flying their new kites. When he opens his eyes, he sees dozens of red and blue kites in the sky. One summer afternoon, Tai Shan dozes while he allows his red kite to dip and soar in the clouds. Now Tai Shan flies the two kites every day and thinks of being together with Baba. He had escaped and run all the way to see Tai Shan before he was taken away. During the three days when he didn’t fly his blue kite, Granny Wang says, Baba had been imprisoned. Granny Wang explains that Baba is being sent to another labor camp far away because the authorities don’t agree with his ideas. Tai Shan tries to run after him, but Granny Wang holds him back. Suddenly, men with red armbands rush in and take Baba away. He asks Tai Shan to fly both kites and know that he is looking up and thinking about his son. Hurriedly, he gives Tai Shan his blue kite, telling him that he will not be able to fly it for a while. ![]() That night Tai Shan dreams about the thick forest and hears Baba whisper, “‘Tai Shan, I saw your red kite fly so high.’” But these words are not in a dream, Baba is there. If there is no kite on the fourth day they will go, Granny Wang promises. Tai Shan asks Granny Wang to take him to the camp to see Baba. The next day and the next no kite appears either. Tai Shan likes the idea of this “secret signal.” The next morning Tai Shan runs to the hill and launches his kite, knowing that “Baba is smiling as he watches the red kite dancing.” In the evening he returns to the hill, and after a long wait “Baba’s blue kite sways into the white clouds.”Įvery day Tai Shan sends his father a silent message-“‘How are you, Baba? I miss you.’” and “Baba’s blue kite swirls and circles, replying, ‘I miss you, too, little Tai Shan.’” Autumn is coming to a close, but still Baba does not visit. ![]() In the evening Baba will fly his blue kite so that Tai Shan can see it. But he has a clever plan-a way that he and Tai Shan can see each other.īaba gives his son a new red kite and tells him to fly it from the hill each morning. In the autumn Baba tells Tai Shan that he won’t be able to visit for a long time. “The kites hop and giggle as they rise and dive, soaring and lunging together.” At the end of the day, Baba returns to the labor camp for another week. Then they climb the hill and fly kites, Tai Shan’s red one following Baba’s blue. He spends time telling stories and playing with his son and his friends. On Sundays Baba walks for hours to visit Tai Shan. At night Tai Shan dreams of flying kites from the rooftop with his father. During the day Granny Wang teaches Tai Shan how to make straw grasshoppers and spin cotton and lets him ride her buffalo. ![]() A thick forest separates Tai Shan and Baba. Tai Shan is sent to live with Granny Wang, a farmer who lives in a village next to the labor camp. Baba is taken away by men in red arm bands and sent to work in a labor camp. Tai Shan’s school and many others are shuttered. Copyright Greg Ruth, courtesy of Disney-Hyperionīut one day dark times descend.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |