The Magic Ear

Christine Linge is a past director of the Toronto & District Parent
Co-operative Preschool Corporation and a freelance writer.

In this retelling of a traditional Japanese folk tale, Hoderi, a poor
but honest peasant, unknowingly saves the life of the Sea King’s
daughter. His reward is the Magic Ear (a conch shell) that enables him
to comprehend the language of animals, by which means he discovers
hidden gold. Weathering the scorn of nobles and doctors, Hoderi attempts
to cure the mysterious illness of his employer’s daughter, the Rainbow
Princess. When he discovers that a snake accidentally trapped in the
palace roof has brought a curse on the household, the princess is cured.
The gold and the father’s gratitude allow the peasant to make the girl
his bride.

As with many European fairy tales, this story’s antiquated setting is
greatly distanced from the daily life of today’s child. Yet the
subject of the poor peasant rising by means of honesty and goodness to
infiltrate the aristocrat’s world seems to have a timeless appeal that
successfully ignores the ugly facts of history. It’s too bad that,
once again, damsels must be rescued, patriarchal society decides their
fate, and gold saves the day. Fortunately, Bosson’s exquisite
illustrations, heavily influenced by traditional Japanese art, will
strongly impress a child that this is a society greatly removed both in
time and space.

Although some aspects of the story are disconcerting (the hero is noble
in his respect for nature, yet the animals’ conversations are
derogatory of humans), The Magic Ear is a beautiful rendition of
traditional literature, told with delicacy and attention to detail.
Recommended.