Aunty Mouse
by Kunzang Choden and illustrated by Pema Tshering
“Aunty Mouse” by Kunzang Choden and illustrated by Pema Tshering. Published by Young Zubaan. A beautiful retelling of a traditional folk tale from Bhutan, the land of the thunder dragon.
The story is set in Bumthang in Central Bhutan. Tashi Doma is a poor orphan girl living in a village in Bumthang. She lived by herself. The villagers let her graze their sheep on the grassy mountainsides during the day. They gave her dinner when she returned in the evening. She would sit and spin wool while the sheep grazed. Every day she took with her a piece of Keptang (buckwheat bread) wrapped in a cloth for her lunch.
One day when she was taking out the Keptang, it slipped out of her hands. Off it went rolling down the mountain. Tashi Doma was not able to get hold of it. It had fallen into a mouse hole! She stopped near the hole and called out to aunty mouse. She didn’t mind not getting her food back but wanted the wrapping cloth as it was her only one. A reply came from inside the hole inviting her to step inside.
Who was there? Why had she been invited? What happened next? Did she go? Will her kindness and humility pay off? What happens when a spoilt rich brat from her village tries repeating the experience? Read the delightful story to know. The illustrations showcase the landscape and people of Bhutan. The book has been written by one of Bhutan’s leading writers. The illustrator is the founding member of Volunteer Artist Studio Thimphu (VAST).
My 7.5 year old enjoyed the story. He was amused by Tashi Doma stepping into the mouse hole with her eyes closed. All this can only happen in our imagination is what he said. But the takeaway message was something which he understood easily enough. This was his first book set in Bhutan and we got talking about the country.
I had visited the country almost a decade back and Bumthang valley was one of the most beautiful regions that we visited. It is aptly known as the “Switzerland of the East”. The rolling meadows and lush green mountainsides are quite a sight!
Now waiting to lay our hands on another book by the same author in another folk tale. The book is apt for children aged 5+.
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 5+.
Reasons to Read
The book tells children that it is better to be humble and kind rather than proud and vain.
Where to buy from?
The publishers Young Zubaan here.
An independent indie bookstore, Funky Rainbow, from where I buy many of my books.