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Whootie Owl's Special Valentine's Day Page
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A Complete All-New Story from Whootie Owl!
A Love Story from China
February is for Lovers!
Story Title: "The Poem on the Water"
(China)
Retold: by Elaine L. Lindy
Recommended Ages: 6-12
Themes of Character: Love
Here's the Story:
LONG, LONG AGO in China there lived a young man whose name was Wu. One day, Wu was wandering along the river not far from the imperial palace, when a glint of light drew his attention to a leaf rushing downstream. When the leaf floated by him, he quickly picked it up. Astonished, he discovered that it was a persimmon leaf, and upon it there was a poem neatly written in a woman's handwriting.
Wu couldn't imagine who would have sent a poem down the river, or why, but as he read its words he was so moved by their content and its lovely style and he fell hopelessly in love with its author, whoever she may be.
In the days that followed, Wu could think of nothing but the poem and its mysterious author. At last, Wu composed a poem in response to it, and he wrote is as neatly as he could on a persimmon leaf. He carried the leaf to a part of the river beyond the imperial palace so that when it floated downstream, the current would carry his leaf through the palace walls.
Wu kept the poem closely by him every day and at night, he tucked it under his pillow. He knew the words by heart, but every time he looked at its sculpted words, tears of love would flow from his eyes. Years passed.
In these long-ago days, the Chinese royal family was served by a large number of young women. One day, the emperor decided it was unnecessary for so many young women to devote themselves entirely to the royal familiy, and so he commanded that a few of them must be sent home.
Now among these attendants sent home was a young lady whose family was known to the Wu's parents. As was the custom in those days, Wu's parents sought out the parents of this young woman and both sets of parents agreed upon a marriage between the young people. Wu was in despair to learn of his impending marriage. He wished only to marry the author of the poem, though he had no way of discovering who she was and where she lived. Despite his upcoming wedding day, Wu continued to yearn for the writer of the poem day and night. Nevertheless, Wu felt he must honor his parent's decision and go through with the marriage.
And so Wu and the young maiden were married. Wu continued to think about to his beloved author of the poem on the persimmon leaf, but each day he found himself more and more drawn to his wife's warm manner and quiet wit. After awhile, he began to worry: How could he keep his loyalty to his first true love while also growing to love his wife?
One day, his wife said, "Wu, my excellent husband, so often I see you looking away as if you were wondering about some deep secret that troubled you deeply. Please, share your secret with me so that I may help you to bear its weight."
Wu looked at the concern in his wife's eyes. He said, "My wife, it is true that I am deeply troubled. You see, years ago I discovered on the river a persimmon leaf, and on the leaf there was a poem. The poem so enchanted me that I responded with a poem of my own. Ever since then, I have held the deepest feelings of love for the author of the poem, though I knew I could never find out who she was, much less ever meet her. As I grow to have more and more feelings for you, I often worry that I am being disloyal to her. How can I reconcile these two feelings of love?"
"Oh, my husband," said his wife, bursting into tears. "You see, it was I who wrote that poem. And it was I who found the poem that was written in response. I have carried it with me every day since. You see, I have it right here." With that, Wu's bride took out the poem, worn and torn at its edges just as was his own cherished poem.
And so Wu and his bride both knew that they were meant to be together. Tenderly, they vowed their love for one another, forevermore.
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LocalMom PlanetPals Whootie Owl's Stories to Grow By
"IF" is a professional group committed to producing innovative and highly relevant
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This month's theme:
"LOVE!"
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Great content from our IF Family of Sites!
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LOVE your planet Ideas!
Love is in the air, the water, the earth! See why Love Your Earth Tips |
Lovin' Each Other from the International Kids Club:
 From
International Kids Club.com, learn what great philosophers had to say about love and friendship. Say "I Love You" in any language, get great clip art. Celebrate your love for humankind!
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Great Ideas & Activities from our "IF"
Family of Websites
Partners!
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A Brand New Story on "Love" from Whootie Owl!
Check out Whootie Owl's brand new retelling of the Chinese folk tale, "The Poem in the Water, just over there to the left.
StoriesToGrowBy.com
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For those who LOVE Books & Crafts:
 Carefully selected Books and Crafts on the Theme of LOVE, especially for Valentine's Day, from TheBestKidsBookSite.
see the full story |
All about LOVE about and for Parents:
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Visit LocalMom.com for parenting ideas on bringing more LOVE into your family and building on it, day by day!
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Great Earth-Friendly Ideas
and Activities from Planetpals!
Beginning of article by Whootie Owl's
Guest Writer Betsy Weaver:
President Bush's State of the Union speeh moved me, but only partially. I wished that I'd be one of the people commentators asked, "What do you, as ordinary citizens, think about the President's speech?"
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