Childhood

Author: [USA] Taylor Headland / [UK] Campbell Bruce
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-03-01
Features: What was the life of Chinese children a hundred years ago? Let us use the curious and unique perspective of foreign missionaries to open this long-shut memory gate, listen to the children's folk songs, admire their clever and joyful games, and experience the ancient yet vibrant, weathered yet innocent, fairy-tale-like Chinese charm hidden in hardship.
Hardship is wealth, and the innocence in hardship is the most precious spiritual treasure.
Author's Statement: Before the tightly closed doors of China were opened and the family life of the Chinese people became known to the West, the life of Chinese children could not be fully studied in the West. However, there were still many opportunities for comprehensive understanding, such as the streets being the children's playgrounds, Chinese nannies bringing Chinese folk songs, stories, and games into the homes of foreigners—these were enough to give us a glimpse into the lives of Chinese children. The play equipment in Chinese kindergartens had nothing special in terms of novelty, fun, or intellectual development compared to other countries. The performances of traveling artists and magicians were also largely similar to those in other countries. However, these seemingly simple methods of play were very important to the children.
By carefully observing various situations, one would find that Chinese children have many ways of playing and entertaining, and they share many similarities with children in other countries. Many of the toys they play with are astonishingly similar to those of Western children. Based on the situations in Shandong and Beijing, Chinese nannies could sing countless songs. As the sister volume to Folk Songs of China, the author aimed to find the equally touching aspects of family life in the East and West. If my work allows people separated by distance to see familiarity, love, and kindness in it, then this little book has achieved its purpose.
Author's Statement by Campbell Bruce
Dear Children:
In faraway China, in the mountains, there is a very hidden place called "Children's Valley." If I had a flying carpet, I would definitely take you there to explore this wonderful place. Whoever wants to truly understand this place must find it on a spring day. The road to it begins at the foot of steep hills and is covered with dry grass. The grass occasionally reveals patches of gray soil, like holes in an old carpet.
At the end of these small hills lies lush, towering mountains that stretch to the horizon, their colors gradually darkening from green to bluish-gray to deep blue. When the sky is overcast, the mountains appear dark and angry. This small road winds through these mountains. After turning a corner and passing through a forest, a few more steps forward, and "Children's Valley" comes into view.
To enter the valley, one must leave the path and cross a small forest, arriving at an open meadow. The edge of the meadow is a embankment covered with flowers, blooming among shrubs and sparse trees.
A faint almond scent fills the air. You can feast your eyes on the beautiful scenery: look at the vibrant wild roses and azaleas, in shades of red, deep rose, pink—bunches and clusters of them blooming, their fiery reds burning against the green grass and shrubs. Among them are white flowers like jasmine, clematis, and other unnamed blooms, some like feathers carved from ivory, others like fluffy snowballs, set against lush, dense green leaves, looking particularly enchanting. Butterflies flutter among the flowers. The scene is like the mountain gods in Chinese fairy tales opening a door to a magical realm for you to roam.
The daily lives of Chinese adults are mostly poor and monotonous, just like the desolate path winding through the small hills. But when it comes to the lives of children, the situation is quite different. Just as you walk along this path, surrounded by barren mountains and deserts, suddenly discovering a vibrant garden. The meticulous care and selfless love of the elders for the children is like the flowers blooming in this charming garden.
Our ancient world has long forgotten how to return to youth, and the magical flying carpets have long disappeared. But dear children, you can weave your own flying carpet and fly far, far away to Peru or Beijing. I wrote this book, hoping to take you on a journey to a distant land, to the enchanting "Children's Paradise."
During the writing of this book, Sir Davies's The Chinese, Lady Brison's The Family Life of Chinese Children, and Ms. Tarmerji's The Chinese Maid gave me much inspiration. I believe that if you spend time reading them, you will gradually develop an interest in these books. However, what helped me the most was the city where I lived and the hundreds of small villages around it. I sincerely hope that one day you can come to China and see them with your own eyes.
This book is composed of translations by two missionaries and is one of the earlier records of the lives of Chinese children made by Westerners who had early contact with Chinese society after the tightly closed doors of China were forcibly opened by the strong ships and cannons of Western powers.
Each folk song, each rarely known game, and every custom and in the growth of children all reflect the characteristics of Eastern civilization.
The numerous photographs in this book are precious historical lenses taken by the missionaries with their "foreign machines," providing a reference for understanding Chinese society a hundred years ago.
Excerpt: Chinese children, like children in other countries, start with the same advantages. However, due to the different education they receive from their parents or nannies, or because of their innate talents, their personalities change quickly and gradually develop unique characteristics of Chinese children. They become "naughty," which means they are a bit mischievous or like to cause trouble, and can be difficult to handle.
In this regard, it can be said that all Chinese children are "little emperors." They must be obeyed by their fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, grandfathers, and grandmothers. If anyone does not please them, this little treasure will roll on the dirty ground, kicking and screaming, until the adults give up in despair. Only then will he get up and happily go back to playing, and the adults can finally go about their own business. Such a child is a "naughty one."
All Chinese children are like this, whether they are born in a thatched hut or grow up in an imperial palace. As long as we listen to the story of Emperor Guangxu when he was young, we will believe this. When Emperor Guangxu was young, he did not like Chinese toys, so the eunuchs brought him various exquisite and unique toys from Europe, filling the toy room in the palace. As he grew older, he liked even more complex toys, such as gramophones, telephones, electric lights, electric cars, cuckoo clocks, self-playing clocks, and Swiss clocks. He liked almost all the great inventions of modern times. This child was also naughty. The eunuchs said that if someone ruined his mood or if he did not get what he wanted, he would throw the Swiss clock or break the things in his hands to pieces. Because no one dared to discipline him, he had no choice but to be spoiled.
When Chinese families have children, the words the women say are very interesting. If it's a boy, the parents will receive the warmest congratulations, because this child brings the "greatest joy" to the family. If it's a girl, and the family already has more girls than boys, the old nanny will sneak away with her, as if she had stolen something. If someone congratulates her, she will frown and sigh, saying, "There's nothing to be happy about, but it's not a bad thing either."
As soon as a child is born, he is considered to be one year old, not from the day he was born, but from the New Year's Day of the year he was born. If a child happens to be born the day before the New Year, he will be two years old the next day, because he is already one year old at birth, and after celebrating the first New Year, he grows another year.
When a child is one month old, it is a big event for the family. The child will be taken out to meet everyone. Amidst his kicking and crying, his hair will be shaved. His mother will also come out of the bedroom to receive the congratulations of relatives and friends. His grandmother is the honored guest at this occasion. From this day on, he will have his own name.
All relatives and friends will be invited, and they must come to drink the celebratory wine. Of course, the most important thing is to bring gifts. If the host family is not very wealthy, this day will add joy to their lives and bring additional income.