Waiting Day, The - Hardcover

A ferryman in ancient China frantically tries to satisfy his customers, who grow more and more demanding as the day goes on.  First, a group of poets and scholars, then a bevy of lords and barons, and finally the emperor and his entourage hire the hapless ferryman to carry them across the river.  Meanwhile the ferryman feels increasingly annoyed by the presence of an elderly beggar who sits all day on the riverbank.  When evening approaches, the ferryman mocks the beggar for wasting his entire day waiting for a free ride across the river.  But to his surprise, the ferryman discovers the beggar has been waiting for something more important-- and learns an important lesson in the bargain.
Chi Chung's glowing watercolor illustrations bring this tale of Old China elegantly to life.  The story shows young readers the importance of taking the time to appreciate the beauty of each unfolding day.

Kindergarten-Grade 4-This original parable set in ancient China follows a harrassed ferryman through his day. Waves of increasingly important passengers make escalating demands for improvements to his simple raft. As the man scurries around, trying to please his important customers, an old beggar sits by the riverside, unperturbed by the comings and goings. The ferryman assumes he's waiting for a free ride, and regards him with condescension and annoyance. It turns out that the beggar has simply been waiting for the sunset. At the end of the day, he is satisfied, while the ferryman is left with disturbing questions. The smoothly flowing text follows the simple structure of a folktale. The watercolor illustrations borrow elements from Chinese landscape painting while describing character through expression and gesture. The only inaccuracy is in the sky. The beggar is shown facing the same direction to observe both the rising and setting sun. This minor poetic license does not detract from a pleasant, if nostalgic, look at imperial China, which could be used to begin a discussion on the values of waiting, watching, and reflecting.
Margaret A. Chang, North Adams State College, MA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.