Chapter 27 - Learn from the Cat (1/2)

Chapter 27: Learn from the Cat

Translator: Liu Yanyan

Proofread by Fu Tianying

“Hunni with fake expression and lion with fake face, all their heads were carved by wood and tails made by silk. Their eyes were plated by gold and teeth were made by silver. They show their ostentatious garment and ears.” This was the poem created by Po Chu-i (a poet in Tang Dynasty), which described the lion-dancing. There were no agreement on the origins of lion dancing. The popular opinion was that people tried to imitate their appearance and actions when a few live lions were brought in from the Westin Han Dynasty. It did not develop into lion-dancing until three Kingdoms Period and lion-dancing prospered in the Southern and Northern Dynasties as the rise of Buddhism.

Wearing the head mask of lion, Ma Tian’en stood in front of the crowd. The person who played the lion tail called Li Hui. He grasped the ribbon tied around Ma Tian’en’s waist and wore lion’s skin dotted by cow hair. Ahead of them stood a man leading the lion. He not only had a good-looking, but was heroic. He was one of the master-hands of Datong Gang, mastering great Kongfu. Holding a Hydrangea to tantalize the lion, sometimes he performed forward and backward somersault in the air, standing on the table, which arouse heated applause. Under his leading, the lion ran and rolled. Occasionally, Ma Tian’en reacted slowly and the head was almost knocked down by the tail of lion. But this happened less often as the practice went on. On the whole, they cooperated quite well.

After a long while, Ma Tian’en felt a little tired and wanted to have a rest. When she took off the mask of lion, Ashun gave her a bowel of water. Ma Tian’en drank it up.

“Master, you are so great. I thought you played much better than the former one. This time, we will definitely win the first place.” After saying this, Ashun gave her a towel to wipe her sweat.

“Of course, I know I am great.” Although Ma Tian’en said this, she still knew that she could not compete with Ma Laishun when playing the lion’s head. She just didn’t want to dampen the morale..

At this time, Wu Zhong came here, with a cat in his arms. At such an critical moment, how could he have the mood to play with cat? But to be honest, this cat was very cute.

Ma Tian’en walked towards him and took over the cat from Wu Zhong. She couldn’t help touching the chin of the cat, and the cat extended lazily its chin to let Ma Tian’en fondle.

“Master, are you going to relieve me from the tedium by this cat?”

“No, I take it here to teach you how to perform lion-dancing, and you should call it Mr. Cat from now on.” Wu Zhong said seriously.

“What? Master, don’t tell jokes with me. It is a cat, not a lion, so what can it teach me?” Ma Tian’en said doubtfully and turned back to fondle the head of the cat. The cat felt impatient, jumped out of her arms, ran away and lay down under a tree lazily, lifting its claws to lick its skin.

“According to the records of The Book of Songs, there are tigers, bears, and cats. It suggests that cats can be compared with tigers while tigers can be compared with lions. These are all furious animals. Don’t you want to learn southern lion-dancing? As I have said, southern lion-dancing emphasizes its spirit. Cats also have happiness, anger, sorrow, joy, movement, quietness, surprise and suspect. If you watch the actions of cats, you will feel the spirit of lion-dancing. Look, the cat is lying down under the tree quietly with its relaxed expression. It looks like the dance steps slow as drumbeat becomes gentle when playing the lion-dancing.” After saying this, Wu Zhong picked a small stone and threw it towards the cat. The cat was shocked, and it jumped up suddenly and ran away. After running for a little distance, it looked back to see whether it was really dangerous.

“Look, that was the surprise and suspicion of the cat. Lion-dancing should follow the quietness, slowness and swiftness of drumbeat and use different expressions, dance steps and spirits to make the audience feel the emotions of the lion. This is the essence of southern lion-dancing.” After saying this, Wu Zhong noticed that Ma Tian’en was absorbed in what he has said, as if she was thinking about something. He smiled.

Ma Tian’en was clever. From the words of Wu Zhong, she understood the meaning. Combining the techniques of the North and the spirit of the South, in this way, she would enable people to watch a different and energetic lion-dancing. She could have more opportunity to win the competition.

Ma Tian’en looked at the cat carefully. Wu Zhong accompanied her and told her the character of southern lion-dancing. Ma Tian’en rested for a moment and continued to practice with others. Wu Zhong didn’t leave and stay aside to watch. Ma Tian’en was more careful because Wu Zhong was here.

The time went by fast and it was already noon time. Every noon, everyone ate something for lunch. Yanzi would bring lunch to Ma Tian’en on time.

In order to create a quiet place for practice, others were not allowed to come in. But the walls of the yard actually were not tall since there were no valuable things inside. When Yanzi brought lunch, she saw someone standing on some stones to look into the yard over the wall .