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The Cowherd and the Weaver Maid single work   children's fiction   children's   fable  
Issue Details: First known date: 1979... 1979 The Cowherd and the Weaver Maid
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'A romantic folktale about a couple who are not permitted to see each other because they had become lazy after their marriage. However, on the seventh day of the seventh moon the magpies help the sad couple to meet' (Source: contents page).

Notes

  • This work is told first in English and then in Chinese.

Affiliation Notes

  • This work is affiliated with the AustLit subset Asian-Australian Children's Literature and Publishing because it is a re-telling of a traditional Chinese folktale, and contains parallel text in Chinese.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Language: English , Chinese
  • Appears in:
    y separately published work icon Folktales from Australia's Children of the World Susanne Ferrier (illustrator), Jo Anne Hook (illustrator), Penelope Janic (illustrator), Roger Janovsky (illustrator), Giulietta Stomann (illustrator), John Petersen (illustrator), Andrew Parnell (illustrator), Alan White (illustrator), Charlotte Thodey (illustrator), Sydney : Ure Smith , 1979 Z1462947 1979 anthology prose children's dreaming story myth/legend A collection of thirty-three folktales from diverse national cultures that have contributed to Australia's heritage. Each tale is presented in English and followed by the language of the story's origin. The stories have been collected from community groups across Australia but makes no claims to the significance of the collection to identifying multiculturalism in Australia. The project was initiated by M.J.R. MacKellar, Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs at the time of production and Federal Liberal M.P. for the Division of Warringah from 1969-1994. MacKellar states in the 'Foreword': 'Children are a unifying element in any society, but their involvement in a country such as Australia, where people come from so many different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, is of paramount importance. Not only are children a catalyst in drawing together all members of our society, but they are the future leaders and builders of the richly varied society that Australia is becoming. In building our nation, an understanding and appreciation of each other's background is vital.' Sydney : Ure Smith , 1979 pg. 22-25
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Related Works

The Bridge of Magpies Barbara Hayes , 1992 single work children's fiction children's fable
— Appears in: Folk Tales and Fables of Asia and Australia 1992; (p. 35-37) A young prince marries the daughter of the King of the Land of Stars. But the prince and princess become lazy after their marriage. The princess stops weaving clouds, and the prince leaves his cattle to the care of his servants. He and his wife devote themselves to pleasure. The King of the Land of Stars punishes them by separating them from each other on either side of the River of Stars.
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Last amended 3 Sep 2013 12:07:53
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