The Magic Fish Book is a popular children's book that was written by Truong Quy Hai and illustrated by Trinh Vu Huan. It was first published in Vietnam in 1992 and has since been translated into multiple languages. The book tells the story of Tinh, a young boy who loves to fish. One day, while fishing, Tinh catches a magic fish. The fish promises to grant him one wish in exchange for its freedom. Tinh thinks long and hard about what he wants and eventually decides to ask for happiness for his family.
The distinctive feature of this exampleis the omnipresence of Latin, whereas the title is in Middle English. It is likely that the book’s compiler did not translate the passage on Christ’s baptism. The story about Jesus coming to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist and having the Holy Spirit appear afterwards as a dove was a famous one. What was most essential for the practitioner was an ability to recognize the illness that the formula could cure, as suggested by the use of Middle English in the title.[4]
It is a compilation of different books dealing with medical recipes, plants and their vertues, and the influence of planets on the practice of medicine. 4 For more detailed explanations and other variants of this charm, see Lea Olsan, The Three Good Brothers Charm Some Historical Points , Incantatio, An International Journal on Charms, Charmers and Charming, 1 2011 , pp.
Tinh thinks long and hard about what he wants and eventually decides to ask for happiness for his family. The fish grants his wish and disappears into the water. As Tinh returns home, he discovers that his family is indeed happy, but he soon realizes that his wish was not specific enough.
Medieval charms: magical and religious remedies
Charms are incantations or magic spells, chanted, recited, or written. Used to cure diseases, they can also be a type of medical recipe.[1] Such recipes were often described as charms in their title and linked to a ritualistic form of language intertwined with religion, medicine and magic.
The charms of a Middle English manuscript at Trinity College Library, Cambridge (MS O.1.13) bear the hints of the conversion of a pagan ritual into a remedy approved by the Church. They include several Latin formulae uttered during Masses, mention Christ or Saints, and finish with signs of the cross. Effectively, God should remain the supreme doctor, in order to maintain the hegemony of the Church.
Numerous attempts of classification of the different kinds of charms have been elaborated by several researchers, notably J.F. Payne.[2] He established six different types of charms :
- invocations and prayers addressed to herbs;
- mystical words or prayers chanted or written on papers that the patient had to apply on his body;
- conjurations or exorcisms addressed to diseases,;
- narrative charms : episode of the life of sacred or legendary characters who suffered similar diseases with the patient;
- the attribution of magical powers to certain objects, plants, animals or stones;
- transference of a disease by a formula or a ceremony to animals or material objects.
Looking at manuscript O.1.13, I focus on two sorts of these charms: mystical words or prayers chanted or written, and narrative charms related to sacred or legendary characters who suffered.[3]
Although his parents are happy, they still struggle with financial difficulties. Tinh realizes that he should have asked for wealth or prosperity instead. Filled with regret, Tinh goes back to the fishing spot in hopes of finding the magic fish again. He spends days and nights fishing, but the magic fish does not appear. Tinh learns an important lesson about the consequences of hasty wishes and the importance of being specific. The Magic Fish Book teaches children about the value of careful thinking and consideration before making a wish. It also emphasizes the importance of family and the happiness that can come from simple things in life. The book's colorful illustrations and engaging storytelling captivate young readers and make it a beloved choice for bedtime stories. Overall, The Magic Fish Book is a charming tale that teaches valuable life lessons in a fun and entertaining way. It is highly recommended for children and adults alike, as it reminds us to be mindful of our wishes and appreciate the blessings we already have..
Reviews for "The Beauty of Diversity in 'The Magic Fish' Book"
1. Sally - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Magic Fish" book. The plot was predictable, and the characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. I also found the writing style to be quite dull and not engaging. Overall, I didn't connect with the story and it failed to capture my interest.
2. John - 3 stars - I had high expectations for "The Magic Fish," but unfortunately, it fell short for me. While the premise was intriguing, the execution was lacking. The pacing was slow, and I often found myself losing interest. The dialogue between the characters also felt forced and unnatural. I believe the book had potential, but it wasn't able to deliver a captivating story.
3. Emily - 2.5 stars - "The Magic Fish" was not my cup of tea. The concept seemed interesting, but the execution left much to be desired. The storytelling felt disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the narrative. Additionally, the book lacked memorable and relatable characters, which made it hard to form any emotional connection with the story. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this book.
4. David - 2 stars - I couldn't get into "The Magic Fish" at all. The writing style was overly descriptive and verbose, making it hard to follow the plot. The pacing was also incredibly slow, and I found myself bored throughout most of the book. The ending was also lackluster and didn't provide a satisfying resolution. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations.
5. Sarah - 2.5 stars - "The Magic Fish" was a letdown for me. The story felt disjointed and confusing, with multiple plotlines that didn't seem to connect well. The characters were also not well-developed, and I struggled to feel any empathy or connection with them. The writing style was also a bit dry and lacked the necessary spark to engage the reader. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and forgettable.