The old tales of China tell us that all things may grow and change. A stone may become a plant. A plant may become an animal. An animal may become a human. A human may become a god.

Just so, a snake may become a woman. And we are told of one who did.

Who can say for sure how it began? Yet after centuries of ceaseless effort—meditating, disciplining herself, mastering the energies of the universe—this white snake took human form. Immortal now and with great powers, she longed for one thing more.

Human love.

—From Lady White Snake, retold by Aaron Shepard

Links

Lady White Snake

About the Picture Book by Aaron Shepard and Song Nan Zhang

“Lady White Snake: A Tale From Chinese Opera”

Retelling by Aaron Shepard

About the Story

Notes by Aaron Shepard

About Chinese Opera

Notes by Aaron Shepard

Legend of the White Snake

Wikipedia Article

Poster: Lady White, and Blue

Art by Song Nan Zhang (PDF)

Poster: The Battle

Art by Song Nan Zhang (PDF)

A Lady White Snake Bookshelf

Resource List by Aaron Shepard

Films About Lady White Snake

Survey Article by Paghat the Ratgirl

Madame White Snake

About the Western Opera