71 pages • 2 hours read
Grace LinA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
The Tiger Emperor imprisons Amah, where she meets another prisoner, a stonecutter. The Tiger Emperor jails the stonecutter after he smashes off the figure of the Tiger Emperor from a statue he was commissioned to create. Initially sentenced to death, the Tiger Emperor spared him, thinking he might still be of use.
While in prison, Amah shares The Story of the Stone Fish with the stonecutter:
A beautiful white stone washes ashore, catching the attention of the fierce Magistrate Tiger. He orders a village stonecutter to carve it into a dragon. However, when the stonecutter brings the stone home, it begins to burble at him. Despite intending to carve a dragon, he realizes the stone wants to be a fish and carves it accordingly. The fish, appearing almost alive, enrages the magistrate, who orders the stonecutter’s execution.
That night, haunted by the burbling sound of fish, the magistrate commands the stonecutter’s son to bring him the fish carving. As the son enters, he weeps, and when his tears touch the statue, it miraculously transforms into a living fish. The fish brings joy to everyone and even captures the Magistrate Tiger’s interest. But when the Magistrate Tiger tries to move the fish from a humble wooden tub to a more elaborate vessel, it jumps from his servant’s hands, turns back to stone, and shatters.
Plus, gain access to 8,450+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
By Grace Lin
Action & Adventure
View Collection
Appearance Versus Reality
View Collection
Asian American & Pacific Islander...
View Collection
Challenging Authority
View Collection
Chinese Studies
View Collection
Coming-of-Age Journeys
View Collection
Community
View Collection
Fear
View Collection
Good & Evil
View Collection
Juvenile Literature
View Collection
Memory
View Collection
National Book Awards Winners & Finalists
View Collection
New York Times Best Sellers
View Collection
Power
View Collection
Required Reading Lists
View Collection
The Best of "Best Book" Lists
View Collection
The Past
View Collection