Feces fairy tale

Author: Xie Liwen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: The "Shi Lao Ren" series is a set of story picture books featuring a small, unconventional character named Shi Lao Ren. This unusual portrayal showcases author Xie Liwen's extraordinary ability to weave stories and master picture books. Another picture book series by the renowned Hong Kong writer Xie Liwen, "Ma Dou Ma Mi," moved countless young people in mainland China in 2003, achieving sales records that broke industry miracles. Through this, Xie Liwen was discovered by readers on the mainland. Compared to the slightly somber coming-of-age story of "Ma Dou Ma Mi," "Shi Lao Ren" is entirely melancholic, with its humor manifesting in the details rather than the story itself. The Hong Kong Ming Pao commented: "This comic story, 'Shi Lao Ren,' contains elements of tragedy, ambition, romantic sentiment, self-deprecating humor, and absurdity. The complex emotions it evokes are akin to reading a literary novel." The "Shi Lao Ren" series consists of three volumes: "Six Records of Floating Shi," "On the Journey," and "Shi Poetry Fairy Tales." In "Six Records of Floating Shi" and "On the Journey," each volume contains a longer story, meticulously describing how a small character pursues their dreams, filled with wit and satire, yet ending in a twist of sadness. "Shi Poetry Fairy Tales" collects short stories, telling tales of (self-deprecating) and self-mocking fairy tales. From the poetic language of these "Shi Lao Ren" stories, we can touch upon many life philosophies that are not easily perceived in everyday life, carrying a powerful sense of sorrow and emotion. It is precisely for this reason that "Shi Lao Ren" will be deeply loved by young people. The "Shi Lao Ren" series was published by the Beijing Library Press in June 2004. Xie Liwen, a well-known Hong Kong writer, is the author of "Ma Dou Ma Mi" series and the publisher of the children's magazine "Huang Ba Tu." "Shi Lao Ren" is his alternative work to "Ma Dou Ma Mi," like the dark side of the moon, Shi Lao Ren and Ma Mi are distinct yet closely intertwined. Liang Zhi Tien, during his studies, supported himself by drawing. He later dropped out and formed an independent band "HUH!" in Hong Kong, serving as the lead singer and composer. After releasing three albums, he left the band. He secured an animation production job with his music, using the time to create illustrations for the "Shi Lao Ren" series, which vary in style. He said, "I am Shi Lao Ren!" The world of Shi Lao Ren is dark and fleeting. Fragile lives hold beautiful dreams. Dreams make the fragile strong.
The "Shi Lao Ren" series is a set of story picture books featuring a small, unconventional character named Shi Lao Ren. This unusual portrayal showcases author Xie Liwen's extraordinary ability to weave stories and master picture books. Another picture book series by the renowned Hong Kong writer Xie Liwen, "Ma Dou Ma Mi," moved countless young people in mainland China in 2003, achieving sales records that broke industry miracles. Through this, Xie Liwen was discovered by readers on the mainland. Compared to the slightly somber coming-of-age story of "Ma Dou Ma Mi," "Shi Lao Ren" is entirely melancholic, with its humor manifesting in the details rather than the story itself. The Hong Kong Ming Pao commented: "This comic story, 'Shi Lao Ren,' contains elements of tragedy, ambition, romantic sentiment, self-deprecating humor, and absurdity. The complex emotions it evokes are akin to reading a literary novel." From the poetic language of these "Shi Lao Ren" stories, we can touch upon many life philosophies that are not easily perceived in everyday life, carrying a powerful sense of sorrow and emotion. The "Shi Lao Ren" series consists of three volumes: "Six Records of Floating Shi," "On the Journey," and "Shi Poetry Fairy Tales." In "Six Records of Floating Shi" and "On the Journey," each volume contains a longer story, meticulously describing how a small character pursues their dreams, filled with wit and satire, yet ending in a twist of sadness. "Shi Poetry Fairy Tales" collects short stories, telling tales of (self-deprecating) and self-mocking fairy tales. From the poetic language of these "Shi Lao Ren" stories, we can touch upon many life philosophies that are not easily perceived in everyday life, carrying a powerful sense of sorrow and emotion. It is precisely for this reason that "Shi Lao Ren" will be deeply loved by young people.
Excerpt from the main text:
1. Eternal Bond
Upon arriving in the Shi realm, Shi Lao Ren met a very beautiful female Shi. The female Shi also liked Shi Lao Ren. Thus, they decided to get married. In the Shi world, there are two types of marriage ceremonies. One is more flexible: two Shi tie themselves together. To divorce, one simply unties the Shi knot and goes their separate ways. The other is more traditional and a bit painful: shattering and merging the tails of two loving Shi, then freezing them. The two Shi fuse into one, never to be separated. Of course, if they really need to part, it’s possible, but it’s very painful and may lead to issues of uneven Shi distribution, requiring a Shi court. “Consider carefully which ceremony to use, and tell me tomorrow.”
Back at their new home—a room with a sea view—Shi Lao Ren asked his fiancée if she would stay with him forever. She replied, “Yes.” After saying “Yes,” her body was reduced to a single Shi tail, likely swept into the sea by the waves. The next day, Shi Lao Ren married her as planned. He merged the remaining Shi with his own body, making him appear taller than usual. This brought him closer to the lonely night sky, though in the Shi canal, the sky was invisible.
2. My Wishes
My wish is to go on a trip to the suburbs with my Shi friends. I’ve never been to the suburbs and don’t know what the sky, trees, flowers, mud, or butterflies look like. But I imagine that the sky, trees, leaves, flowers, wind, sea, sea breeze, bees, and butterflies must be very beautiful.
My wish is to eat a steamed egg tart. I’ve heard everyone has eaten steamed egg tarts, but I haven’t. A friend of mine said, “Steamed egg tarts are yellow and warm, a bit like our bodies.” Maybe people will start to like us a little, or even a tiny bit, because of steamed egg tarts.
I want to walk to the top of the hill when the wind is so gentle. I want to meet the Little Prince there. I want to know that there’s no place for me in his little universe. But I still want to be at the top of the hill when the wind is so gentle, and when the Little Prince says, “I love my flowers,” he accidentally looks up and sees me.
I want to lie on the beach, letting my whole body be warmed by the sun. I can stay in the sun for four hours, five hours, or even ten hours, and I won’t be afraid. Because I have a cold drink, a book called "Huang Ba Tu," and many stories in my head. There’s a story about a sun and the wind competing in strength. A cool breeze blows over my hot body, and I think I’ll love both.
My wish is to see the moon on a mid-autumn night. I want a lantern, and the light of the lantern and the moon should meet on the face I love. I want to say, “Hey, can you take fire from my lantern?” I want her to say nothing in return. The moon is also honest on this night.
These are the wishes of a single Shi in a dung heap, born from boredom and impossibility.