The Magic Orange Tree: and Other Haitian Folktales

When Diane Wolkstein, herself a well-known storyteller traveled throughout the Haitian countryside in search of stories, she harvested a rich collection of twenty-seven tales, each of which is illuminated by fascinating introductory notes. From orange trees growing at the command of a child to talking fish, these stories present us with a world of wonder, delight, and mystery. With a foreword by Edwidge Danticat

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Edwidge Danticat / vii Spirit, Sovereignty, Story: The Magic Orange Tree Twenty Years Later / ix Introduction / 2   The Magic Orange Tree / 13 The Two Donkeys / 23 Owl / 29 Put That Man to Bed / 37 Four Hairs from the Beard of the Devil / 43 The Case of the Uncooked Eggs / 49 Tayzanne / 57 Cat and Dog and the Return of the Dead / 65 The One Who Would Not Listen to His Own Dream / 71 Papa God and General Death / 75 Bouki Dances the Kokioko / 79 Papa God Send Turtle Doves / 87 The Singing Bone / 91 The Gizzard / 99 The Monkey Who Asked for Misery / 113 The Name / 117 Cat’s Baptism / 123 “I’m Tipingee, She’s Tipindee, We’re Tippindee, Too” / 129 The Master Thief / 135 Horse and Toad / 143 Mother of the Waters / 151 A Very Happy Donkey / 157 “One, My Darling, Come to Mama: / 165 The Forbidden Apple / 171 “Papa God First, Man Next, Tiger Last” / 177 The Last Tiger in Haiti / 183 “Bye-Bye” / 189   Songs in English and Creole / 195 Acknowledgments / 211

About the Author :
DIANE WOLKSTEIN lectured and performed throughout the world. The author of eighteen books for adults and children, she died in 2013.

Review :
“This book is sheer delight. Grown-ups of all ages, as well as children of all ages, will revel in it. —Lillian Ross, The New Yorker "An unusual and arresting book . . . [Wolkstein's] prefatory notes are so eloquent and so filled with flashes of light thrown upon the customs, beliefs, and practices of the Haitian people that nothing else seems to be wanted." —Katherine M. Briggs, author of The Anatomy of Puck and A Dictionary of British Folktales in the English Language   “Wolkstein is a handsome example of a Translator: a person who can bridge cultures in such a way as to bring understanding, wit, humor, and moral meaning along with the words.” —Barre Toelken, Journal of Latin American Literature & Arts   “It is a joy to have this book, not only to read it, but to listen to it. The Magic Orange Tree is a gift.” —P.L. Travers, author of Mary Poppins