Xiaoling Dingdang Magic Fairy Tale

Author: Xiaoling Dingdang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Is there really magic in the world? — Of course, where is it? — It lies deep within your heart. Open this book and immerse yourself in the enchanting fairy tale world brought to us by Xiaoling Dingdang. In every fairy tale, there hides a magical spell—can you discover what it is? Dear young readers, the fairy tale cottage made of vanilla chocolate and sweet sticks has been opened. Let’s come together to savor these fairy tales that are both fragrant and sweet! On the other side of the mountain, Xiaoling Dingdang’s fairy tales carry an old-fashioned charm, a scent reminiscent of familiar family members. For example, you might have a storytelling grandmother who often sits beside you, recounting distant tales. Thus, you are very familiar with that warm and comforting feeling. Not only are you familiar with it, but you also love and are moved by it. What I mean by "old-fashioned" and "distant" is not that her works lack modernity, but rather that they embody the timeless beauty of humanity. Her fairy tales are not the noisy, empty ones that leave you with nothing after you finish reading—such fairy tales and books of that caliber are quite common now. It’s like a xiangsheng (comic dialogue) performer saying, "If you don’t laugh, I’ll tickle you under the armpits." When I read Xiaoling Dingdang’s fairy tales, a vivid image comes to mind: a little girl living in a fairy tale world, wandering through lush forests and vast grasslands, peacefully enjoying everything nature offers. She can talk to flowers and exchange knowing smiles with dewdrops. The fairy tales selected in this book, largely based on myths and folk tales, draw their inspiration and writing style from this source. This inspiration stems from an unconscious choice between traditional and modern cultures. The cultures themselves do not have a question of superiority or inferiority. Her fairy tales possess a kind and gentle, caring, and benevolent quality. They are always thoughtful, always trying to convey something. Much like how grandmothers often use delightful stories to teach us—whether it’s life experience, wisdom, aesthetic knowledge, or character development. They can give you a sense of purpose in life and boost your confidence. Yet, they are not entirely devoid of the spirit of modern life. Of course, this is an approachable feeling—her fairy tales are quite relatable. Traditional culture is the foundation of culture, just as childhood is the foundation of a lifetime. The knowledge and information passed down through myths and folk tales are the essential truths of being human. Xiaoling Dingdang’s fairy tales consistently convey these values. While she also incorporates timely or modern elements into her works at every opportunity, this is merely a form of expression. Just like in the fairy tale The Golden Bird, we are constantly asking ourselves and others: "What lies beyond the mountain?" Although this is something every child wonders about, the matter is far from simple. The themes and ideas it encompasses are profound and weighty. I have no doubt that our childhoods were filled with such curiosity and a longing for the unknown. Yet, life experience tells us that everything in life is contained within childhood. "What lies beyond the mountain" is merely a surface-level question, a thing or scenario we wish to know. But the story itself speaks of a lifelong pursuit—one that requires a lifetime to complete. It is the pursuit of ideals, the pursuit of life’s value. Our goals will only grow higher, and the unknown will continue to expand. In a sense, folk tales condense human wisdom and experience, while myths reveal human imagination and desires. The richness of Xiaoling Dingdang’s fairy tales lies in these very elements. Good and evil, beauty and ugliness, justice and courage—all of these are qualities of being human and what we should strive to perfect morally. Without a doubt, this care carries a familial essence. In truth, her every story has only one purpose—to love, and she conveys only one message—to love. Xiaoling Dingdang’s fairy tales are never short of innocence, playfulness, and tenderness. Perhaps this is the professional advantage she gained as a children’s program host, or maybe she is simply a person brimming with childlike joy. Regardless of the angle, her works allow us to feel all of this. These fairy tales are like distant and beautiful legends, stirring us deeply. Her fairy tales represent a resilient branch within China’s fairy tale tradition, a faction that carries a classical aura, lingering in the depths of our humanity. We need these things because our nourishment in this regard is far from sufficient.