Tikki Tikki Tembo
by Arlene Mosel
A traditional Chinese folktale about two brothers with very different names - one with an extremely long, ceremonial name (Tikki-tikki-tembo-no-sa-rembo-chari-bari-ruchi-pip-peri-pembo) and one with a short name (Chang). When both boys fall into a well at different times, the story explores how the length of their names affects the speed of rescue efforts. The tale serves as a cautionary story about the practical implications of overly elaborate names while introducing young readers to elements of Chinese culture and storytelling traditions.
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