Nineteen years ago a group of young Chinese writers and editors decided that they should do something to introduce Chinese culture to people whose basic language was English. The result was ECHO MAGAZINE, an outstandingly beautiful publication that has won friends and readers around the world. Last year ECHO editors, alarmed that Chinese youngsters seem to be losing their own traditions under the impact of western television and movies, determined to do something about it. They would not willingly turn over the world of children's imagination to Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, or to the other hosts of cartoon characters who seem to appear everywhere. Thus "Operation Fairy Tale" began.

The first step taken by ECHO workers was to begin a major search for articles published in the past thirty years describing or containing Chinese folk tales. These were to provide the raw material whereby "lost" tales could be rewritten in a form attractive to children. Research underway, writers and artists were hired and given a two month training period on how to relate Chinese folklore and tradition to children's interests and point of view. Lectures included folklore and tradition, child psychology, how to write and draw for impact on youngsters. On holidays, the trainees often visited cultural spots around Taiwan.

One of the principles of "Operation Fairy Tale" is that no story or artwork can be printed until it has been thoroughly audience tested with small children. Only after the children give their approval with peals of laughter or wide open eyes are stories sent to the illustrator. Illustrators must follow rules to ensure active, colorful drawings which in some way characterize the Chinese spirit.

Here's one story that passed the childrens' approval test: "Papa Mouse wanted a husband for his beautiful daughter. So he sought far and wide for someone suitable. Papa Mouse at first thought the Sun might be a good husband, but he discovered that, glorious as he was, the Sun was afraid of Clouds. Clouds turned out to be afraid of Wind, so that wouldn't do. Wind was all right, but he admitted that he felt uncomfortable in the presence of Walls. Papa Mouse thought at last he had found someone good for his daughter. "A Wall is nice and steady. It will make a good husband for my daughter." Yet the Wall, faced with the question of having fear of anything, had to admit that mice gnawing away and boring holes really scared him. Papa Mouse struck his head. "I've looked the whole world over for a suitable husband for my beautiful daughter, and the answer was in my own backyard!"

Chinese literature has always been known for its emphasis on morality, and these revised myths and legends, historical stories, and tales with old customs as themes are no exception. Since they are for children, the ethical lesson is always mixed with "a spoonful of sugar." Printed in Chinese, beautifully illustrated, each story also has beside its two to three thousand characters phonetic signs which every Chinese child learns as early as kindergarten. Even if the child can't read a character, he can sound it out and recognize the word for what it is.

Will this devoted effort keep a colorful and lively part of the Chinese cultural heritage alive? It would be interesting to peek into Chinese homes next Chinese lunar New Year when children get special attention. Will those children be seated in front of the television set or in a parent's lap listening to one of the stories revived by ECHO? Let's hope it's the latter.

[Picture Caption]

1. One of the lively, colorful illustrations for Children's Chinese Fairy Tales. 2. The creators of Children's Chinese Fairy Tales (l to r): Tao Meng-chia, Hsi Sung, Huang Yung-sung, Wu Mei-yun. 3. Each story contains copious illustrations. 4. Three books have already been published this year.

1. An illustration depicting a tale from the Six Dynasties Period. 2. Illustrations also include some on which a few scenes are drawn on a single picture. 3.4. To capture the full spirit of the Chinese fairy tales, professional Chinese artists are employed. Shown here are Kuan Yue-su (l) and Huang Mei-ling.

Three illustrations from Fairy Tales

The creators of Children's Chinese Fairy Tales （l to r）: Tao Meng-chia, Hsi Sung, Huang Yung-sung, Wu Mei-yun.

Each story contains copious illustrations.

Three books have already been published this year.

An illustration depicting a tale from the Six Dynasties Period.

Illustrations also include some on which a few scenes are drawn on a single picture.

To capture the full spirit of the Chinese fairy tales, professional Chinese artists are employed. Shown here are Kuan Yue-su （l） and Huang Mei-ling.

To capture the full spirit of the Chinese fairy tales, professional Chinese artists are employed. Shown here are Kuan Yue-su （l） and Huang Mei-ling.

Three illustrations from Fairy Tales.

Three illustrations from Fairy Tales.

Three illustrations from Fairy Tales.