The Wise Washerman: A Folktale from Burma

Kelly L. Green is the Secretary of the Ontario Federation of Teaching
Parents, the past editor of CBRA’s Children’s Literature edition,
and the past president of the Toronto & District Parent Co-operative
Preschool Corporation.

Aung Kyaing, a virtuous, hardworking, and successful laundryman, is the
envy of his neighbor, a potter named Narathu. Narathu’s jealousy of
Aung Kyaing’s standing in the community and friendship with King Pagan
Min drives him to try to turn the king against the laundryman. Knowing
that the king has long pined for a white elephant, Narathu encourages
the king to demand that Aung Kyaing wash the royal elephant from gray to
white. In a satisfying conclusion, the laundryman saves himself, and
inadvertently ensures that Narathu gets just what he deserves.

This cautionary Burman tale of jealousy and comeuppance is lightened
both by Deborah Froese’s deft narrative touch and by Wang Kui’s
bouncy illustrations, which are loaded with strong lines and with bright
pink and aqua hues. Froese creates a believable scenario, and builds
suspense to the end. This book deserves a permanent place on the
folklore shelf. Highly recommended.