Storytelling around the Globe

Background Information

The Persian Cinderella

This story is set in ancient Persia (present day Iran). Beautiful Settareh's mother has died so she has to live with other women in the house (aunts, cousins, stepsisters, and stepmother). They all treat her horribly, and most of the time she doesn't have enough food to eat. The star on her cheek is cause for much ridiculing. One morning, Settareh's father gives all the women a large coin to buy cloth in the bazaar for new clothes to wear to the Prince's New Year's festival. The bazaar is a cornucopia of sights and sounds for Settareh. She uses some of her money to buy some food since she is so hungry. She gives some more money to an old woman who is begging in the bazaar. With her remaining money, Settareh buys a lovely little blue jug. Of course, there is no money left for new cloth now. She finds out that there is a pari or fairy in the blue jug that would grant her wishes, so Settareh asks the jug to give her a gown to wear to the festival. Not only does a beautiful silk dress appear, but a necklace, bracelets, and diamond-studded anklets also appear. After dressing, Settareh is transported to the palace, where she sees a handsome youth staring at her. Luckily, no one recognizes Settareh because she keeps her star mark hidden. When the party is over, Settareh rushes home so her stepmother won't discover her gone. On the way home, she loses one of the beautiful anklets. The next day, the anklet is discovered and taken to the palace. The prince immediately wants to find the woman who would wear such a beautiful piece. The prince's mother insists that she would do a better job of finding such a woman, so she sets out on the quest. Lots of women try to squeeze into the anklet, but finally Settareh comes forth to show she is the one. Settareh realizes that the young man from the night before is really the prince. Their marriage is arranged and the kingdom celebrates for thirty-nine days. Settareh's two stepsisters are so jealous that they use the little blue jug for one last wish. The jug produces six jeweled hairpins, which the sisters use to arrange Settareh's hair for the wedding. She was instantly transformed into a turtledove. The prince is heartbroken over Settareh's disappearance. Over time, he is visited by a turtledove on the windowsill. When the prince discovers and removes the hairpins, the turtledove turns back into his beloved Settareh. The story ends with the evil stepsisters filled with so much rage that their hearts explode. Of course, Settareh lives happily ever after.

A Look at an Author

Shirley Climo is the author of The Persian Cinderella. She was born in 1928, in Cleveland, Ohio. Obviously, she is not Iranian herself, which may not make her a good source for the perspective of this particular culture. She has had various jobs before becoming a published author, including the scriptwriter for "Fairytale Theatre." Her books are often inspired by traditional folktales and legends. The Persian Cinderella is based on a retelling of "The Anklet" by Naomi Lewis in her Stories from the Arabian Nights. Other books by Climo include Cobweb Christmas, The Eqyptian Cinderella, and The Irish Cinderlad.

The Culture of Iran (The words Persian and Iranian are often used interchangeably, since Iran is the former Persia.)

In The Persian Cinderella, No Ruz (New Day) is mentioned as a great celebration. It has long been an important tradition in ancient Persia and today's Iran. It always begins on the first day of spring. Homes are cleaned and new clothes are made to signify a new beginning.¹¹

At the No Ruz celebration, guests were eating figs and apricots. Many of the fruits we eat, like figs and apricots, come to us courtesy of Iran. Many products were carried into Iran from China, and then moved on into Europe via the trade route.¹²

In the story, a pari, or fairy, was housed in the little blue jug. "This is unique to Persian mythology. It is always beautiful and usually helpful to humans, as in the story. A pari may be male or female, change shape or form - sometimes taking an animal form, such as a bird - or it may vanish completely."¹³

Settareh had to live in the part of the house reserved for females. 98% of Iranians are Muslims, and part of the typical Muslim house is separated for women. Windows would open to the inner courtyard and not on the outside walls in order to prevent eye contact with "marriageable" males.¹⁴

The Cinderella character in the story looks out at the beautiful Alburz Mountains (also written as Elburz). This is a mountain range in northern Iran that stretches from the borders of Armenia to the southern end of the Caspian Sea. ¹⁵

In the story, the prince wore a tulip-shaped turban. The word turban is believed to have originated in Iran, although it is worn by men in many different places. The color, shape, and degree of ornamentation symbolize religious affiliation or leadership.¹⁶

Settareh has to go to the bazaar to buy cloth for a new dress. A bazaar is a place to buy and sell goods, food, and services. The Iranian bazaar has always been a huge part of the town's social and economic history. Typically, the bazaar is set up in a long, narrow- roofed configuration, with shops and stalls on both sides. ¹⁷

Settareh and the prince were married on the 40^th day of celebration. Iranian marriage is celebrated joyously with a large group. There are various traditions according to location, but the festivities last several days. On the wedding day, there is a big feast with dancing. ¹⁸

The prince's mother was carried around in a palanquin. This was a covered, boxlike litter attached to poles. These poles would rest on the shoulders of several men, who would transport the passenger (inside of the litter). Palanquins were used by the Persians until spring-mounted coaches came along. ¹⁹

Yeh-Shen, A Cinderella Story from China

A cave chief named Wu had two wives who each bore him a daughter. Unfortunately, little Yeh-Shen's mother and father died when she was born. Her stepmother was very jealous of her beauty and kindness. So, poor Yeh-Shen had to work very hard for her stepmother. Yeh-Shen was befriended by a lovely fish from the pond. She shared food with the fish, even though she was often hungry. Yeh-Shen's stepmother tricked the fish into coming up onto the bank by wearing Yeh-Shen's old coat. She killed the fish and ate it for dinner! Of course Yeh-Shen was distraught when she found this out from a mysterious old man. He told her about the magical powers of the fish bones. Yeh-Shen began to speak to the bones and ask for food to survive. Yeh-Shen longed to go to the spring festival where young men and women looked for mates. Her stepmother did not want Yeh-Shen to go because her beauty might hamper her own daughter's chances of finding a husband. Yeh-Shen asked the fish bones for some clothes to wear to the festival. She was immediately outfitted with a beautiful gown, cloak, and golden slippers. She was a hit at the feast. Yeh-Shen left before anyone could recognize her. In her hurry, Yeh-Shen lost one of the golden slippers. Consequently, all of her fine clothes were turned back into rags except for the one slipper. Worst of all, the fish bones would no longer talk to her. The lost slipper wound up in the hands of the king, who became determined to find its owner. He devised a plan to place the slipper on the side of the road for women to try on while he waited in hiding. After all the women had tried in vain to fit into the slipper, Yeh-Shen sneaked up and took the slipper home to the fish bones. The king followed her and asked her to try on the slippers for him. She was instantly transformed into the beautiful clothing again. This made the king fall in love with her and they were married. However, the king banished the evil stepmother and stepsister to their cave home where they were killed by flying stones.

A Look at an Author

Ai-Ling Louie is a published author of children's books. She has also written Vera Wang, Queen of Fashion and Amazing Chinese American. She retells the Cinderella tale of Yeh-Shen from a book called The Miscellaneous Record of Yu Yang that was written sometime during the T'ang dynasty. (618-907 A.D.)

The Culture of China

In A Cinderella Story from China, Yeh-Shen catches a fish and keeps it in a pond. China has a long tradition of keeping fish. Not only to raise fish artificially for food, but also for pleasure. They even kept goldfish in ceramic bowls for enjoyment. ²⁰

Yeh-Shen wanted so badly to go to the Spring Festival because that is where young people would meet each other for possible marriage. The Spring Festival (New Year) in China can be traced back thousands of years. Not only is it a large and important festival, it is an occasion for family reunion. It is observed with much feasting. ²¹

The story originally appeared in a book that was written during the T'ang dynasty (6l8-907 A.D.) This was a strong period in Chinese history with good rulers overall. Great poets emerged and books were printed, which helped to unify the culture.²²

Yeh-Shen's father was a cave chief in China. There are still over 30 million people who live in cave dwellings, mostly in the middle and western regions of China. Cave homes can be dug underground, as in the plains of Shanxi, or carved into a mountain or hillside, as in the Loess Plateau of northwest China.²³

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

This story takes place in southern Africa (present-day Zimbabwe). A man named Mufaro had two beautiful daughters named Manyara and Nyasha. Manyara was very jealous of her sister's kind spirit. Despite the way she was treated, Nyasha tended to her little garden plot and worked hard. She was befriended by a little garden snake. Of course, Nyasha's father was oblivious to the way her sister treated her. One day a messenger came saying the king would choose a wife from the most worthy and beautiful girls in the village. The two sisters were supposed to travel to the city together, but greedy Manyara left the night before. On the way, a hungry boy appeared in the path, but Manyara would not share her food with him. Then, she came across an old woman who gave her advice. However, Manyara did not heed the advice and kept on going. Meanwhile, Nyasha and her wedding party traveled through the forest. When she saw the same hungry boy, Nyasha gave him the only food she had brought. When the old woman appeared, Nyasha was gracious and followed her directions. When the wedding party came into the beautiful city, they encountered Nyasha coming out in hysterics. She begged Nyasha not to enter the king's chamber because there was a monstrous snake there. However, Nyasha went in and found her own little garden snake, which changed into the king before her eyes. Because of her kindnesses, he made her his wife. Manyara became a servant in her sister's household.

A Look at an Author

John Steptoe was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1950. His first book was published at the age of 18. He studied art at two prestigious art schools. Prior to Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, all of his works dealt with the African-American experience. For this book, Steptoe had to research the African history and culture. This initiated pride in his African ancestry. He hoped his books and his awards would spark the same feeling in other young black people. Unfortunately, John Steptoe died in 1989 at the young age of 38. Even so, his 20-year career left wonderful books like Thank You, Jackie Robinson and Stevie.

The Culture of Southern Africa

Located in the southern part of Africa, Zimbabwe became a "landlocked country" after the colonialists cut African territory into units and named them.

In Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, "the names of the characters come from the Shona language: Mufaro means "happy man"; Nyasha means "mercy"; Manyara means "ashamed"; and Nyoka means "snake."²⁴

In the story, Nyasha grew yams and millet in her garden. There are some native varieties of yams, and others have been introduced from elsewhere. Generally, they are planted in heaps. Millet is a grain that is indigenous to southern Africa, too. It was used to prepare bread for the wedding feast in the story.²⁵

Nyasha said, "A great spirit must stand guard here." Also, the king could transform himself into different things, like an old woman or a snake. Witchcraft and spirits are part of traditional Zimbabwe. They can serve various functions, including harming people or seeking revenge.²⁶