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The Musical Kite
The emperor of China was restless. Though he enjoyed flying his kites, he grew tired of these because they seemed all the same.Clapping his hands together one-day, he announced: “Send out a decree throughout China that his Imperial Majesty would have a new kite. The person who makes the most wonderful kite of all shall henceforth hold the title of ‘Royal Kite Maker’ and shall be awarded with a purse of money.”
Li Ye, who had just delivered a new kite to the palace was passing by the garden wall when the Emperor announced the kite decree. “But I am an expert kite maker!” He exclaimed. “Why does he not like my kites anymore?”
When the time came, kite makers from every part of China arrived at the palace.
Li Ye watched the skies from his court yard. “Such craftmenship! Such elegance!” He sighed.
“It would be impossible to choose the best,” he told his wife.
“It is said that his Imperial Majesty is not yet impressed,” his wife replied.
“Then the colour or shape or tails or workmanship or construction do not count,” Li Ye said.
“What else is there, then?” Asked his wife.
“Nothing more for the eye or the feel or handling.” Li Ye agreed. “What other senses? Like smell or hearing? Hearing!” Li Ye was almost shouting with excitement.
“Come!” he called to his wife over his shoulder. “Assist me in making the kite that will please his imperial Majesty of China.”
Li Ye made an ordinary paper kite with a string attached to it. To the kite’s head he fastened a bamboo flute.
His wife followed him to the palace field, where the kite flying activities were well under way.
At the field other kite makers jeered at him. His Imperial Majesty frowned. But Li Ye smiled.
He let the kite take the wind. “It is the right wind,” he said.
Then Li Ye flew his kite in such a manner that when the winds struck the holes of the flute, it produced sounds like those of a harpsichord.
A gasp went from the crowd. His Imperial Majesty jumped to his feet. The kite played on. Kite makers pushed close to Li Ye, asking him questions. The string was torn from his hand. In minutes the musical kite soared out of sight.
The Emperor’s disappointment was evident to all. As the kite disappeared into the blue sky, the ruler of the realm wrung his hands.
“Your Imperial Highness,” said Li Ye bowing low “Be not disturbed. I shall make you many more such musical kites.”
His Highness sank back in his chair with great relief. “If you can do that Li Ye, you shall be Royal Kite Maker. And from this day on, in your honour, everyone in China shall call a kite Fung Chaeng.”
The Emperor of China chose this name because it means “Wind Harpsichord.”
(A Chinese story)
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