Chinese children’s fairy Tale collection Little Sparrow’s Song launched in Kathmandu

August 14, Kathmandu: A collection of Chinese children’s fairy tales titled Little Sparrow’s Song was launched on Thursday at a ceremony held at the Siddhartha Vanasthali Institute in Kathmandu. The book, originally authored by Chinese writer Liu Tihong, was translated into Nepali by Dr. Sarbottam Shrestha and jointly unveiled by Liu, Dr. Shrestha, and Dr. Sushil Prajapati, president of Arniko Society.

This marks Dr. Shrestha’s seventh translated work, with Little Sparrow’s Song being his first aimed exclusively at children, unlike his previous six translations.

The anthology features 22 enchanting stories, including titles like Little Sparrow’s Song, Pippi the Sneezing Cub, The Hide-and-Seek of Fish and Shrimp, Mother Elephant, Frog Grandpa, The Ghost Room Game, The Scary Gun Barrel, The Tree That Wanted to Fly, The Bamboo Grove That Wanted to Sing, and The Daughter of the Lake.

Speaking at the event, Liu Tihong, the chief guest, expressed that the translation of his stories into Nepali reflects the deep bond, friendship, and mutual interests between China and Nepal. He noted that the shared natural landscapes of the two neighbouring countries make his stories relatable and appealing to Nepali children. Dr. Shrestha highlighted the role of such literary translations in strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties between Nepal and China.

Similarly, Rupak Rajbanshi, principal of Siddhartha Vanasthali Institute, and Dr. Prajapati emphasised that translated Chinese literature provides valuable insights into Chinese thought, society, culture, and lifestyles, fostering greater understanding. The event underscored the power of literature in bridging cultural gaps and deepening Nepal-China relations.