Mr. Bamboo and the Honorable Little God A Christmas Story

"Mr. Bamboo and the Honorable Little God" by Frances Little is a poignant Christmas story written in the early 20th century. This work of fiction reflects themes of childhood innocence, cultural understanding, and the spiritual awakening of a young Japanese boy named Tãke Nishimura. The narrative takes place in a Japanese mission school and captures the vibrant experiences of children learning about Christmas in a foreign context. The story revolves around Tãke Chan, a young boy who is enamored with the idea of a new God as he learns about Christmas traditions. He prepares eagerly for the celebration, crafting gifts and decorations, and is excited about welcoming this new deity. His pure-hearted belief leads him to mistakenly perceive a beautiful doll as the embodiment of this God. Despite battling illness, his imaginative spirit shines through, culminating in a touching scene where he prays to the doll, affectionately addressing it as "Honorable Little God." The tale culminates in a bittersweet revelation as Tãke Chan's fascination with the foreign customs and his gentle spirit transcend his understanding, leading to a profound connection to the Christ-child before he passes away. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Frances Little was the pseudonym of American author Fannie Caldwell. Her first and most successful book, The Lady of the Decoration, was based on her experiences in Hiroshima, Japan, from 1902 to 1907.