The Song of the Cakes E-Book

Arthur Leo Zagat

• Herausgeber: Al-Mashreq eBookstore
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Serie: Wonder Stories
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 29

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

In The Song of the Cakes, Arthur Leo Zagat weaves an enchanting tale where a humble baker's cakes come to life, each with its own magical melody. When a greedy nobleman tries to seize the cakes for his own, their melodies transform into a powerful force that sets off an unexpected adventure. As the townspeople rally to protect their beloved baker, they discover that friendship, unity, and a touch of magic can overcome even the most formidable challenges. This delightful and heartwarming story is perfect for young readers who love tales of wonder, bravery, and the joy of unexpected heroes.

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

The Song of the Cakes

The Song of the Cakes

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Landmarks

Table of Contents

Cover

The Song of the Cakes

Wonder Stories

By: Arthur Leo Zagat and Nat Schachner

Edited by: Rafat Allam

Copyright © 2024 by Al-Mashreq Bookstore

First published in Oriental Stories, Autumn 1931

No part of this publication may be reproduced whole or in part in any form without the prior written permission of the author

The Song of the Cakes

A vivid tale of the Manchu conquest of China, and the fulfillment of the old Ming prophecy, when blood ran red in Peking

“As the Manchus began in Chung Kuo with a child in arms, so, with a child in arms, shall their dynasty pass from the memory of man.”

—An ancient Chinese prophecy embodied in what was known as The Song of the Cakes.

1

AS THE great gate swung reluctantly open between the white-battlemented earthen walls, Mangu ran forward with a great shout. Close at his heels poured in multitudinous flood the conquering horde of the Chin Tatars. The iron discipline of the march, the toil and danger of many battles, was forgotten. These lean, hard-bitten warriors from the frozen plains of the north saw before them only the incredible loot to be taken in this greatest city of the world.

Peking—it was a name to conjure with! All Asia resounded with tales of its splendid palaces, the bazars piled high with gleaming silks, with soft sheened rugs from Ispahan, sandalwood, myrrh and frankincense from Ind, gold and precious gems that came by caravan from Samarkand.

For this they had marched and fought, these Manchu nomads, under their great Lord, the mighty T’ai Tsung. The city of Kubla Khan, the vast shining city, lay open before them, weakly abandoned by the eunuch-ridden Mings. Mangu spat his scorn as he thought of those womanish rulers.

The fierce warriors scattered through the crooked narrow streets. Bales of silken stuffs came tumbling out of windows, the shrieks of the hapless inhabitants rose high above the shouts of the loot-maddened soldiery.

But with clenched teeth and eager eyes Mangu ran steadily along through the narrow ways. Not for him the petty plunder that satisfied his rude command. Shaggy untaught fighters to whom the sweepings of the bazars seemed untold wealth.

Was he not Mangu, captain of a thousand men, whom the mighty Khan himself had deigned to favor with approval at the last great battle at Shanhaikuan? Greater spoil awaited him. His eye gleamed at the thought.

As he burst into the great open square, the Tatar’s curved sword leaped like a live thing into his hand. Ahead, down the straight vista, rose the lofty palace of the Mings, the king’s treasure-house that was his goal.

But in front of the huge entrance gate massed a group of men, and the sunlight glinted on their weapons—Ming soldiers, barring the way into the sacred domain of their Emperor, Ts’ung Ch’eng. Mangu grew furious at the sight. “Chinese dogs,” he shouted, “dare you dispute with arms the passage of a Manchu warrior? Know you not the city has yielded to the might of our great Khan, T’ai Tsung?”