White Rabbit

Today in anticipation of the Lunar New Year on on the 3rd when we enter the year of the Rabbit, here is a Chinese Folk-tale concerning a white rabbit.  This is a set of stamps issued in June 1980 both as a sheets, and the ones that I have, in a booklet, with its themed cover.

Here is the the story,  "Gu Dong is Coming" in stamps (designed by Wan Weisheng):

White rabbit nibbled grass by the pond where the papaya tree grew.  A breeze came through the trees and he heard the sound, Gu Dong. He jumped, such a loud sound must come from a monster.  He ran and hopped away as fast as he could run shouting, "a monster is coming".  He ran into monkey and fox, "what is your hurry". "A big and scary monster is coming.  I am sure he has three big red eyes". "One will be in the middle of his forehead" said monkey. "If we stay together we will be safe from the Gu Dong".

They ran into more animals and warned them too, panic grew. Lion walked slowly through the deep grass and said "Who is Gu Dong"?  "He is a monster that will eat us all". "He likes deer best" squeaked deer. "He can find us anywhere" said fox. "Who has seen Gu Dong" said the lion. "I heard him by the pond" replied white rabbit. "Lets find who this Gu Dong is" said the lion and they followed him back to the pond. No one was there.  Only a ripe papaya floated on the water. "I know I heard him here" cried the white rabbit. Just then another papaya fell into the water. Splash, Gu Dong!  Rabbit screamed, and then laughed, "Its only a papaya".  Everyone laughed and Lion picked up the papaya, broke it open and they all enjoyed sharing it by the side of the pond.

 So, don't panic when you hear of monsters and always seek the truth behind rumours.  China is a land of many stories, which often appear on their stamps.

Sunday Stamps is hosted by Viridian Postcards