The Five/Ten Chinese Brothers
I can't recall whether if it was assigned reading in elementary school or if it was selected by me, I read The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop and Kurt Wiese. I don't know what my inspiration was to remember this short story but it just popped into my head.
For those who haven't read this classic, it is about five Chinese brothers. Yes, that is what this story is about... But seriously, each brother has superpowers (1. Able to shallow a sea, 2. Has iron neck 3. Couldn't get burnt 4. Able to stretch legs forever 5. Hold breathe forever). Premise is that a kid asks the brother to shallow the sea so he can get treasure and riches but the kid doesn't follow the instructions of the brother. As a result, the brother couldn't hold the sea in his mouth anymore and released the water, killing the kid. The judge sentences him to death by guillotine but allow him to say goodbye to his mother. So, he switched positions with his brother with the iron neck. Eventually, they attempt to sentence him to death by fire, drowning, and then suffocation; all failing. Then, they let him go on the premise that he must be innocent since he could not be killed.
For the Chinese readers (Or anyone whose watched Chinese movies), do you remember the movie about ten brothers that were born from ten pearls?! Here is the Wiki on it!:
1st and Oldest Brother - Capable of seeing miles away with his binocular eyes.
2nd Brother - Capable of hearing miles away.
3rd Brother - Has herculean strength.
4th Brother - Has ability to stretch and is invincible.
5th Brother - Capable of flying.
6th Brother - Has a solid impenetrable head and the smartest.
7th Brother - Can grow in height and has super speed.
8th Brother - Capable of tunneling underground.
9th Brother - Has a huge mouth that can blow wind and shout loudly.
10th and Youngest Brother - Can cry a river, heal any sicknesses if he cries on people.
It was a outrageously hilarious movie! I want to watch the movie now! And I remember multiple movies with the 3rd (Shi Xiao Long) and 5th (Hao Shao Wen) brother too! Oh the great memories!
