THE SPELL OF CHUCHUCHAN
By
Chuchuchan has bewitched the city of Senfu (China) and carried away Linza, the most beautiful maiden. Linza's cousin Kei-lin must make the God of Literature happy (""He has all the knowledge in the world and it doesn't make him happy"") before he will tell her how to break the spell. Her search takes her to the God of Riches, but ""no one can leave the Domain of Riches feeling happy"". After visiting the misty palace of the God of Happiness (who is never seen for more than a second at a time) Kei-Lin realizes ""the secret of happiness is simply never to look for it."" This knowledge pleases the God of Literature, and Kei-Lin, aided by her dragon and the Goddess of the Northern Star, follows his directions to make Chuchuchan laugh, thus rescuing her cousin who can break the spell. Un-enchanting even as allegory, and the simplistic symbolism will lessen the once-upon-a-time appeal.