title: Jade Stone, The: A Chinese Folktale
author:  Caryn Yacowitz 
description: "A tale of artistic integrity told with artful simplicity." -- <i>Kirkus Reviews starred review</i><br /><br />"Lovely drawings by Jun-Hong Chen bring the traditional tale to life." -- <i>--Midwest Book Review</i><br /><br />A satisfying tale, whether read aloud or pored over alone to pick up the whimsical humor of the illustrations." -- <i>School Library Journal starred review</i>
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  ### Chapter 1
  
  
  
  
  
  Zhen Shiyin in a Dream Sees the Jade of Spiritual Understanding
  
  
  
  
  
  Jia Yucun in His Obscurity Is Charmed by a Maid
  
  
  
  
  
  This is the opening chapter of the novel. In writing this story of the Stone
  the author wanted to record certain of his past dreams and illusions, but he
  tried to hide the true facts of his experience by using the allegory of the
  jade of “Spiritual Understanding.” Hence his recourse to names like Zhen
  Shiyin. But what are the events recorded in this book, and who are the
  characters? About this he said:
  
  
  
  
  
  “In this busy, dusty world, having accomplished nothing, I suddenly recalled
  all the girls I had known, considering each in turn, and it dawned on me that
  all of them surpassed me in behaviour and understanding; that I, shameful to
  say, for all my masculine dignity, fell short of the gentler sex. But since
  this could never be remedied, it was no use regretting it. There was 