Mythical and Mystical Rice-themed Folktales
Mystique and magic are woven into stories transforming the commonplace to something that is otherworldly. Folk wisdom highlights the importance of not wasting a single grain of rice. Tales of the ill fortune and horrible bad luck that follow, even in the after life, have persuaded many generations of children not to take this staple for granted, and not to leave even a single grain of rice in their bowls.


366 A Collection of Malaysian Folktales
By Compiled by: Puteh, Othman and Said, Aripin
2008

Alamat Ng Palay the Legend of the Rice Grain
By Segundo, D. Matias Jr.
Illustrated by Bascon, Zeus
2009

Cerita Rakyat Orang Iban [Iban Folktales]
By Munan, Heidi
2007

Indian Children’s Favourite Stories
By Somaiah, Rosemarie
Illustrated by Somaiah, Ranjan
2006

Indonesian Folktales
By Dr Murti Bunanta
Illustrated by G.M. Sudarta
2003

Jin Jin and Rain Wizard
By Grace Chang
Illustrated by Chong Chang
2009

The Funny Little Woman
By Retold by Mosel, Arlene
Illustrated by Lent, Blair
1972

The Old Woman and the Rice Thief
By Betsy Bang
Illustrated by Molly Bang
1998

The Paddy that Turned to Gold
By Mustapha, Zainun
Illustrated by Khairulnisak Merman
2013

The Princess of the Rice Fields
By Kimishima, Hisako
Illustrated by Mizushi, Sumiko
1970

The Rolling Rice Ball
By Yoda, Junichi (Author) Tresselt, Alvin (Adapter)
Illustrated by Watanabe, Saburo
1969

The Roly-Poly Rice Ball: A Japanese Fairy Tale
By Rosie Dickins
Illustrated by Ben Mantle
2011

The Runaway Rice Cake
By Ying Chang Compestine
Illustrated by Chau Tungwai
2001

The Runaway Wok: a Chinese New Year Tale
By Ying Chang Compestine
Illustrated by Sebastià Serra
2011

The Wonderful Sparrow
By Jainal Amambing
2011