La China Poblana
The Asian Princess of Puebla
by
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Ming Chi was angry! She stormed out of the emperor’s salon and into her imperial chambers. Her room was beautiful! It was decorated with the fi nest silks and satins. Her bed frame was made of gold, and it shined brilliantly in the sunlight. Ming Chi threw herself on her bed and began to think. It did not take long for her to think of a plan. At dusk, she would dress as a peasant and escape beyond the palace walls. She wanted to speak to the people and hear their stories. She felt this was the only way she could become a good ruler!
¡Ming Chi estaba enojada! Ella salió del salon Imperial y entró a su recámara. ¡Su cuarto era hermoso! Estaba decorado con sedas y rasos de los más finos del mundo. Su cama estaba adornada con oro que brillaba a la luz del sol. Ming Chi se lanzó sobre la cama y comenzó a pensar… A ella no le tardó mucho pensar en un plan. Al atardecer, se vestiría como una campesina y se escaparía de los muros del palacio. Quería hablar con los campesinos y escuchar sus historias. Ming Chi consideró que esta era la única manera de poder convertirse en una buena gobernante.
Ming Chi saw many things outside the palace walls that she did not understand. She saw people living in tents. She saw people fighting over food. She also saw children crying.
Ming Chi noticed a woman and her small child dressed in rags. She was begging for food. The woman was not able to stand without the help of a large stick. Ming Chi greeted the woman and her child. She then asked what had happened to her leg.
The woman replied, “An imperial horseman was riding by and knocked me
down.”
“Are you sure it was an imperial horseman?” Ming Chi asked.
“Yes, I saw the golden imperial emblem on his boots,” said the woman.
With a look of surprise and shock, Ming Chi said, “But only my father—” She was silent for a moment. Ming Chi pulled a small sack out of her pocket and then said, “Please take these gold coins to buy some food and warm clothing for you and your daughter. I am so sorry.” Ming Chi was very sad as she walked away.
Ming Chi observaba muchas cosas afuera de los muros del palacio que no entendía; veía campesinos viviendo en las calles, gente peleando por comida y también veía niños llorando. Ming Chi vio a una mujer y a su hija pequeña, vestidas con ropa sucia y
vieja; la mujer estaba pidiendo comida. Ella no podía estar de pie sin la ayuda
de un bastón. Ming Chi las saludó y le preguntó a la mujer:
—¿Qué le pasó en la pierna?
La señora contestó:
—Un caballero imperial me tumbó con su caballo.
—¿Está segura que fue un caballero imperial? —preguntó Ming Chi.
—Sí, vi el emblema imperial de oro en sus botas —dijo la mujer.
Con una expresión de sorpresa y horror, Ming Chi dijo:
—Solamente mi papá… — Ella guardó silencio un momento. Ming Chi
sacó un pañuelo de su bolsillo y luego dijo:
—Por favor, tenga estas monedas de oro para comprar comida y abrigo para
usted y su hija; lo siento mucho… Ming Chi se fue caminando tristemente hacia el muelle.
What Ming Chi did not know was that pirates had been watching as she gave the gold coins to the beggar woman. The pirates hid behind several large cargo boxes. As Ming Chi walked past, they grabbed her, took the remaining gold coins, and threw a sack over her head. She struggled and fought back, but it was no use.
Lo que ella no sabía era que algunos piratas la habían visto dándole las monedas de oro a la limosnera. Los piratas se escondieron detrás de varias cajas de carga. Cuando Ming
Chi pasó, ellos la agarraron y le robaron sus monedas de oro y le cubrieron la cabeza con un saco. Ming Chi luchó y luchó pero fue inútil.
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About the Book
This story, based on a beautiful Mexican legend, follows the life of a young Asian princess who survives her capture by pirates and a transoceanic journey. Her adventures in the New World reveal her selfless giving and love for others. She becomes the heroine and beloved figure of this Mexican legend. The national costume of Mexico is based on her simple yet beautiful dress. The story is exciting, touching, but most of all, memorable.
Basado en una hermosa leyenda Mexicana, sigue la vida de una joven princesa Asiática que sobrevive su captura por piratas y un viaje transoceánico. Sus aventuras en el Nuevo Mundo revelan su generosidad y amor por los demás. Llega a ser la heroína y amada figura de esta leyenda mexicana. El traje Nacional de México está inspirado en su vestido, sencillo pero hermoso. La leyenda es emocionante y conmovedora pero sobre todo, memorable.
“This book was published in memory of Helen Stringos-Arias, by her husband, Gerardo (Jerry). Thank you for sharing your passion and Godgiven talents. May your legacy live on in the people you inspired.
About the Author
A graduate of California State University, Northridge, and a performing arts teacher for over thirty years, Helen Stringos-Arias taught Spanish, dance, musical theatre, cheerleading, and choir at Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies (LACES), a magnet school within the Los Angeles Unified School District. She exemplified everything that was good and desirable in a teacher. She was creative, talented, and artistic, and she possessed a warm and generous spirit. She also sang in the Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral Choir and directed the junior choir for many years. Her first teaching assignment was at Lorena Street Elementary School in Boyle Heights, California, where she used her passion of performing arts and dance to inspire and motivate her students. Helen danced ballet folklorico professionally and had a deep appreciation of Chicano studies and the culture of Mexico. She spent time in Mexico and attended the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara. She took students on a dance exchange tour to Mexico City, where they performed at the National Palace. This book, La China Poblana: The Asian Princess of Puebla, provides a female role model for all cultures. It is derived from the dramatic work and musical stage production “La China Poblana,” written and directed by Helen Stringos, with music and lyrics by Susan Snyder.
Kari Phillips has previously lived in China and Mexico, and currently resides in Ocean Shores, WA, with her husband, Stan, and her daughters April and Kate. Her older daughters, Heidi and Gina, attend colleges in Washington State. Kate (Mei Li Rose) was adopted from China, and her other children are of Mexican descent. Kari has an M.A. in Theater Production from Central Washington University and a B.A. in Education from St. Martin’s University. Because she has taught art in private and public schools, Kari considers bringing Helen and Gerardo’s (Jerry’s) vision of this heartwarming legend to life a great honor.