Jan Brett (Writer and illus.)
When a tiger cub asks his father (the tiger king), why he (the king), treasures a pair of raggedy slippers, despite the cornucopia of wealth that surrounds them, the cub's father takes him (the cub) on a journey revealing how the slippers came about.
They were gifted to him by his mother, when he was a poor cub, to protect and serve him; a guided tool.
The slippers were a wonder and brought the king immense wealth. However, as with any object; the continual usage rendered them useless and became an eye-sore.
The king's friend's tried to dissuade him from wearing those slippers and many even suggested discarding them. However, each time the slippers would be thrown out, they would caused massive havoc and eventually like a dog returning to his master; the slippers would return to the king.
Amidst much fan-fare and commotion, the beleaguered king finally relents and subsequently the slippers are pedestalized. :).
Adapted from the "classic folktale - Abu Kaseem's slippers", "The Tale of the Tiger Slippers", is story replete with timeless wisdom.
It evangelizes a mother's love for her child. Despite being poor and having barely enough to make ends meet, one of the ways the king's mother tried to provide for her son, was to stitch a pair of slippers. She gifts the pair of slippers to her cub, so that they could "protect and guide" her son as he would go about on his day-to-day work; showcasing that no matter where we are in this world and however desperate the situation may be, a mother's love for her child is always present. She is always there for her child (children).
The other message that jumped out at me, was, that we mortals are constantly seeking validation.
We get so carried away with what other people think of us, that we forget our roots. We try to fit in; even if that proves costly.
"The Tale of the Tiger Slippers" also champions the cause, that there is no substitute for hard work. Discipline, dedication and diligence will one day eventually triumph and pave the way to success.
The story is esconsced in India. The illustration is based on Mughal art-work. It's fascinating.
The tiger king wears long over-lapping robes with floral motifs, a bejeweled sash around the waist, with an aigrette on his turban (head-dress) and curved pointy shoes.
The elephant with its floral patterned caparison is a treat to the eyes.
There are almost 30 types of birds in the illustrations. It could be more. From the gorgeous peacock, to the royal crane, from the calm and quiet duck to the chattering green parakeets, it is an ornithologist's paradise.
The royal gardens are resplendent with roses, fostering the message that the Mughals loved flora and roses formed a special part of their lives.
The bright and vivid colors are a celebration of energy, enthusiasm and exuberance.
The myriad anthropomorphic animals and their intricate attire is spell-binding.
The illustrations are framed with woven-beaded borders; evocative of miniature Mughal paintings. The half-turned poses embraced with bejeweled frames heralds the unique evolution of portraiture in the Mughal era.
And I can go on and on...:)
All I can say the book is a treasure trove of brush strokes. An artist's paradise. And with a message as valid today as in the bye-gone days.
Image Source:https://www.amazon.com/ | Publisher:G.P. Putnam & Sons.
No comments:
Post a Comment