Scarecrow

Scarecrow depicts the destitution in rural areas of South China and the miserable lives of farmers in the 1920s, viewed through the eyes of a scarecrow. Ye Shengtao used poetic and lovely words to create a tranquil and beautiful fairy tale world. On a silent night, there are fragrant dews, twinkling stars, a smiling moon, sleeping flowers, grass and trees as well as the insects that look for each other...Nevertheless, the Scarecrow is well-known for more than the worriless, pure and beautiful "e;fairy tale world"e;, but a "e;real world"e;, "e;a cruel, hard and bloody real world. The scarecrow witnessed all through its eyes: a poor and helpless old lady, who took care of her rice land, expected a harvest but experienced insects that ruined her land; a fisherwoman living by fishing could not look after her sick baby; at dark nights, the scarecrow saw another sad woman committed suicide in the river because her husband would sell her like a cargo...The literary, ideological and artistic quality of the Scarecrow is so good that creating a unique way for the composition of Chinese children's literature"e; (by Lu Xun) It occupies a prominent position and has a great impact on the literature history. As of now, the Scarecrow remains a must-read book for massive primary school students, which can be read repeatedly.