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Date
1915
Description
Translated from the French by Ch. Ming, S.J. Originally written in German.
Traditional Chinese script.
Edition: Di yi ci pai yin.
Series: Xiao shuo; di si ce.
Bavarian priest Christoph von Schmid (1768-1854) believed the best way to teach children the stories of the Bible and the substance of Christian life was through stories similar to fables or fairytales. He was an educational reformer with a catechetical philosophy influenced by Jesuit theologian J. M. Sailer.
His stories were popular during his lifetime and continue to be published. They have been translated into most European languages, as well as Turkish, Arabic, Japanese, and Chinese. This edition was published in 1915.
Translations of von Schmid’s stories were adapted to their audience. The first story in this collection is about a young boy living in poverty. In the original German, the story begins on Weihnachtsabend (Christmas Eve). A blond 8-year-old orphan named Anton gets lost in a snowy forest that is quickly becoming dark. When he becomes tired, he kneels and begins to pray. He then hears singing voices, which lead him to a forester’s cottage. The Chinese version begins in winter, with a young boy named An Fu, who is begging. As time passes, he becomes so unbearably cold he is unable to say another word. He lies down in the snow and at last people take pity on him.
Language(s)
Chinese
Country
China
City
Shanghai
Century
19th century; 20th century
Repository
Marian Library
Keywords
Marian Library, Christmas stories, Boeddeker Collection
Permission Statement
This item is in the public domain.
Recommended Citation
Schmid, Christoph von, "Weihnachtsabend. Chinese" (1915). Rare Books. 8.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/ul_rare_books/8
Comments
Administrator's note to readers who view this book on the Issuu platform: The computerized animation of pages turning from right to left was the only option available at the time this book was added to eCommons. The physical book has its binding on the right and opens from the left. While the pages appear to flip in the wrong direction, they do appear in the correct reading order. Thank you for understanding the limitations of the animation. Your imagination is appreciated.