Inspired by Chinese folklore, this novel follows Minli, a girl living in the shadow of Fruitless Mountain. Her family struggles with poverty, surviving on meager rice harvests while her father tells stories of the Old Man of the Moon who controls human destiny. Seeking to change her family's fortune, Minli buys a goldfish and sets out on a quest to find the Old Man at Never-Ending Mountain. Along the way, she befriends a flightless dragon and gathers a collection of fables that eventually interweave with her own reality.
Children and young adults read this book to see how traditional mythology interacts with a central adventure narrative. It appeals to those interested in the structure of oral storytelling and how individual choices impact community wealth and happiness. Readers finish the book with a clearer understanding of the distinction between material greed and situational contentment. The story provides a framework for recognizing how gratitude functions as a practical solution to personal dissatisfaction.
- Published
- 2009
- Language
- EN
