Love of the Half-Eaten Peach
Because Yuan will one day become Duke Ling of Wei, he is told to strive for perfection. But is anything perfect? To help his friend, Mi Zi Xia searches the world for something that is perfect. After decades of travel, shown through the pictures of the aging men and Mi Zi Xia’s travels in China, Mi Zi Xia finds a beautiful, delicious peach. He eats half and gives the other half to Yuan, who finishes it. Yuan declares the peach imperfect, but the sharing of the peach perfect. The two men realize they love one another. Love is what is perfect in the world.
The illustrations for this tale, inspired by a true story, are full page and absolutely gorgeous, showcasing 500 BCE China, as well as the emotions of the male characters. The text is short; the font is easy to read and calligraphy-like, matching the Chinese-style art. An important historical story, beautifully presented. Ages 8-12.
