The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon

In this Korean folktale a hungry tiger plots to steal an ox from the village. Outside a small cottage the tiger overhears a mother calming her baby with the offer of a dried persimmon. The tiger mistakenly assumes that a dried persimmon is the wildest and fiercest beast in the world because the mere mention of it quiets the child instantly. When a thief jumps on the tigers back the terrified tiger runs off to his mountain convinced the fierce persimmon is after him. Parks brilliant color illustrations modern adaptations of the Korean artistic tradition bring to life the humor and wit of this tale that she first heard from her grandmother.