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The Ballad of Mulan: English/Hmong
According to legend, there was a young woman named Mulan whose aged and frail father was conscripted. Mulan, unwilling to see her father fighting in a war, disguises herself as a man and joins the army in his place. For the next ten years she shows remarkable skill as a warrior and becomes a famous general. Her true identity remains hidden from her comrades until the very end. Now, over fifteen centuries later, Mulan continues to be an inspiration to Chinese girls and women. She embodies the belief that woman—if given the opportunity—are capable of accomplishing the same feats as men.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1998
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775 people want to read
About the author
Song Nan Zhang
12 books5 followersSong Nan Zhang is a Canadian-Chinese artist, illustrator and author of children's books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 8, 2016
I arranged my thoughts on this beautiful poem into a haiku as best as I could:
"Saving one's country
Is but a grand byproduct
Of protecting home."
"Saving one's country
Is but a grand byproduct
Of protecting home."
October 5, 2025
This rating is for the edition retold and illustrated by Song Nan Zhang
June 16, 2019
Chinese expatriate artist and children's book author Song Nan Zhang, now living in Canada, turns his attention to one of China's most beloved folk legends in this lovely picture-book, which I read together with two other bilingual adaptations of the story of Mu Lan: Jeanne M. Lee's
The Song of Mu Lan
and Charlie Chin's
China's Bravest Girl: The Legend of Hua Mu Lan
. The tale of a devoted daughter, who takes her elderly father's place in the emperor's army, in order to uphold the family's honor, and spare her infirm parent the hardships of life in the military, it follows Mu Lan (meaning "magnolia") as she transforms herself into a man, joins the army, wins great renown as a soldier, is promoted to the rank of general, and offered great rewards by the emperor himself, before returning home to her parents in triumph.
Unlike Lee and Chin, Song Nan Zhang presents his English translation in simple prose, resulting in a narrative (in English, anyway) that reads more easily than the free (Lee) or rhyming (Chin) verse of the other two versions. He also provides far more historical background for the original poem, than his two counterparts, both on the front flap, and in his brief historical note, at the rear, and I particularly appreciated the point that the historical Mu Lan - if she did indeed exist - would have most likely been of the Xianbei culture, which permitted greater autonomy to women (even a military role, at times) than the Han. That said, although the illustrations here were very appealing, in and of themselves, I have to confess that I preferred Lee's work, which reminded me, at times, of traditional Chinese scroll paintings.
Still, this is a lovely presentation of a wonderful legend, with an engaging English translation, fascinating historical background, appealing illustrations, and lovely Wei Tablet Style calligraphy, in the original Chinese ballad. I highly recommend it, together with the Lee retelling, to young readers interested in the story of Mu Lan, particularly those who may only have encountered it through the Disney film.
Unlike Lee and Chin, Song Nan Zhang presents his English translation in simple prose, resulting in a narrative (in English, anyway) that reads more easily than the free (Lee) or rhyming (Chin) verse of the other two versions. He also provides far more historical background for the original poem, than his two counterparts, both on the front flap, and in his brief historical note, at the rear, and I particularly appreciated the point that the historical Mu Lan - if she did indeed exist - would have most likely been of the Xianbei culture, which permitted greater autonomy to women (even a military role, at times) than the Han. That said, although the illustrations here were very appealing, in and of themselves, I have to confess that I preferred Lee's work, which reminded me, at times, of traditional Chinese scroll paintings.
Still, this is a lovely presentation of a wonderful legend, with an engaging English translation, fascinating historical background, appealing illustrations, and lovely Wei Tablet Style calligraphy, in the original Chinese ballad. I highly recommend it, together with the Lee retelling, to young readers interested in the story of Mu Lan, particularly those who may only have encountered it through the Disney film.
November 2, 2014
I have read the original, illustrated ballad of Mulan.
I must say, the Chinese writers of this specific ballad are very different from Westerners writers. It is for, the Chinese writers do not let any emotion slip into the ballad. They wrote it as it was, and that is it. That is why I am awfully disappointed, and I feel like the Disney movie, my favorite as a young girl, was so much better, so thrilling, so real. I love the adaption, although they probably changed a lot of things. Still, Disney wins.
I must say, the Chinese writers of this specific ballad are very different from Westerners writers. It is for, the Chinese writers do not let any emotion slip into the ballad. They wrote it as it was, and that is it. That is why I am awfully disappointed, and I feel like the Disney movie, my favorite as a young girl, was so much better, so thrilling, so real. I love the adaption, although they probably changed a lot of things. Still, Disney wins.
March 13, 2017
On War & Honour
War and, more specifically, fighting in a war, is a theme I meditate upon with disturbing frequency, given that I have never been directly threatened by it. My first line of thinking is that I would flee, that I would refuse to fight. And I see no shame in that.
One could argue that if we all did so, there'd be no one to fight and we would swiftly be overthrown. That doesn't seem like a bad unravelling of events for me, if we all got to flee. Being an adaptable person, I would try to go on with my life in another country. But it's never like that, is it? Not everyone manages to flee, and that's why I hesitate in denying I have responsibility. I don't think I would have to answer for the slaughter of ""my"" people, but would it not weigh on my conscience that I did nothing for the innocent and helpless? Perhaps I would pledge to getting as many people out as I could.
Honour is an extremely important motif in the Chinese culture. And it's one I don't much relate with, because too often it makes us shortsighted. I understand how benefical it is for cohesion, perhaps I am too individualistic. Fighting to honour our country, to honour our family, solely for honour's sake, is a concept that does not move me.
The case of Mulan is one I can admire because, not knowing how feasible it was for her family to run away, I believe taking her old father’s place is of commendable selflessness and courage. Add to her backbone her skilfulness in battle and we have a very powerful character. All the more powerful for being so humble. Victory achieved, she was offered anything, and asked only to return home. Return she did, and gladly changed her armour for one of her favourite dresses. There is no need to romanticize war. What I find so wonderful about Mulan was the art with which she adapted to a most undesirable situation, keeping her motivations and values clear in her mind, and the grace with which she left it all behind as soon as her duty was fulfilled. The artistry in this poem is how well it portrays in so few lines this admirable character - an example of tenacity and strength - as more than a war machine: a human being, multifaced, intricate.
Bravery and altruism are values I aspire to, but according to my standards, not anyone else’s. One could point this out as a cowardly way to always have a clear conscience. I am not sufficiently apprised of other people’s consciences to know if this principle would be beneficial or harmful if applied to everyone. But knowing my conscience, I rely on her more than on other people’s norms. I see how this can be dangerous and therefore will not disregard other people’s critics towards my behaviour, but ultimately I answer to myself and myself only.
Studying history, one understands that countries are fragile and mutable; that throughout times, there have always been people interested in overthrowing others in the pursuit of their own interests. And studying biology, one realizes that analogous processes take place with other species.
I think the question here is whether I would die for the interests of powerful people. And the answer is no. Selfish or not, I love life too much to watch it decay in a war zone.
People will fight to protect their home, but nothing smaller than the world can be home for me.
War and, more specifically, fighting in a war, is a theme I meditate upon with disturbing frequency, given that I have never been directly threatened by it. My first line of thinking is that I would flee, that I would refuse to fight. And I see no shame in that.
One could argue that if we all did so, there'd be no one to fight and we would swiftly be overthrown. That doesn't seem like a bad unravelling of events for me, if we all got to flee. Being an adaptable person, I would try to go on with my life in another country. But it's never like that, is it? Not everyone manages to flee, and that's why I hesitate in denying I have responsibility. I don't think I would have to answer for the slaughter of ""my"" people, but would it not weigh on my conscience that I did nothing for the innocent and helpless? Perhaps I would pledge to getting as many people out as I could.
Honour is an extremely important motif in the Chinese culture. And it's one I don't much relate with, because too often it makes us shortsighted. I understand how benefical it is for cohesion, perhaps I am too individualistic. Fighting to honour our country, to honour our family, solely for honour's sake, is a concept that does not move me.
The case of Mulan is one I can admire because, not knowing how feasible it was for her family to run away, I believe taking her old father’s place is of commendable selflessness and courage. Add to her backbone her skilfulness in battle and we have a very powerful character. All the more powerful for being so humble. Victory achieved, she was offered anything, and asked only to return home. Return she did, and gladly changed her armour for one of her favourite dresses. There is no need to romanticize war. What I find so wonderful about Mulan was the art with which she adapted to a most undesirable situation, keeping her motivations and values clear in her mind, and the grace with which she left it all behind as soon as her duty was fulfilled. The artistry in this poem is how well it portrays in so few lines this admirable character - an example of tenacity and strength - as more than a war machine: a human being, multifaced, intricate.
Bravery and altruism are values I aspire to, but according to my standards, not anyone else’s. One could point this out as a cowardly way to always have a clear conscience. I am not sufficiently apprised of other people’s consciences to know if this principle would be beneficial or harmful if applied to everyone. But knowing my conscience, I rely on her more than on other people’s norms. I see how this can be dangerous and therefore will not disregard other people’s critics towards my behaviour, but ultimately I answer to myself and myself only.
Studying history, one understands that countries are fragile and mutable; that throughout times, there have always been people interested in overthrowing others in the pursuit of their own interests. And studying biology, one realizes that analogous processes take place with other species.
I think the question here is whether I would die for the interests of powerful people. And the answer is no. Selfish or not, I love life too much to watch it decay in a war zone.
People will fight to protect their home, but nothing smaller than the world can be home for me.
May 25, 2017
《木蘭辭》
唧唧复唧唧，木兰当户织。
不闻机杼声，惟闻女叹息。
问女何所思，问女何所忆。
女亦无所思，女亦无所忆。
昨夜见军帖，可汗大点兵，
军书十二卷，卷卷有爷名。
阿爷无大儿，木兰无长兄。
愿为市鞍马，从此替爷征。
东市买骏马，西市买鞍鞯，
南市买辔头，北市买长鞭。
旦辞爷娘去，暮宿黄河边，
不闻爷娘唤女声，但闻黄河流水鸣溅溅。
旦辞黄河去，暮至黑山头，
不闻爷娘唤女声，但闻燕山胡骑鸣啾啾。
万里赴戎机，关山度若飞。
朔气传金柝，寒光照铁衣。
将军百战死，壮士十年归。
归来见天子，天子坐明堂。
策勋十二转，赏赐百千强。
可汗问所欲，木兰不用尚书郎；
愿驰千里足，送儿还故乡。
爹娘闻女来，出郭相扶将；
阿姊闻妹来，当户理红妆。
阿弟闻姊来，磨刀霍霍向猪羊。
开我东阁门，坐我西阁床，
脱我战时袍，著我旧时裳，
当窗理云鬓，对镜贴花黄。
出门看伙伴，伙伴皆惊忙：
同行十二年，不知木兰是女郎。
雄兔脚扑朔，雌兔眼迷离；
双兔傍地走，安能辨我是雄雌？
唧唧复唧唧，木兰当户织。
不闻机杼声，惟闻女叹息。
问女何所思，问女何所忆。
女亦无所思，女亦无所忆。
昨夜见军帖，可汗大点兵，
军书十二卷，卷卷有爷名。
阿爷无大儿，木兰无长兄。
愿为市鞍马，从此替爷征。
东市买骏马，西市买鞍鞯，
南市买辔头，北市买长鞭。
旦辞爷娘去，暮宿黄河边，
不闻爷娘唤女声，但闻黄河流水鸣溅溅。
旦辞黄河去，暮至黑山头，
不闻爷娘唤女声，但闻燕山胡骑鸣啾啾。
万里赴戎机，关山度若飞。
朔气传金柝，寒光照铁衣。
将军百战死，壮士十年归。
归来见天子，天子坐明堂。
策勋十二转，赏赐百千强。
可汗问所欲，木兰不用尚书郎；
愿驰千里足，送儿还故乡。
爹娘闻女来，出郭相扶将；
阿姊闻妹来，当户理红妆。
阿弟闻姊来，磨刀霍霍向猪羊。
开我东阁门，坐我西阁床，
脱我战时袍，著我旧时裳，
当窗理云鬓，对镜贴花黄。
出门看伙伴，伙伴皆惊忙：
同行十二年，不知木兰是女郎。
雄兔脚扑朔，雌兔眼迷离；
双兔傍地走，安能辨我是雄雌？
January 27, 2021
It's a ballad, so it's a pretty quick read. It's good, but since Chinese is pretty difficult to translate into English, I hope the translations I read are okay. It's interesting how Disney adapted this into a movie.
July 8, 2024
As a lover of Disney’s Mulan, it was interesting to look in to where the inspiration of the film came from. This version of the Ballad was published after the movie release, but I did enjoy Song Nan Zhang’s take on it
March 13, 2012
I like the story of Mulan when I was a little girl. I did little research about the children books about Mulan. In the research, there are seven Chinese children books and movies that were examined, and they are all about Mulan who is a famous heroine in Chinese traditional legends. She, as a girl, stands up to protect her country when her country was invaded. The story was originally described in a Chinese poem known as the Ballad of Mulan. In the poem, Mulan took her aged father's place in the army. She fought for twelve years and gained high merit, but she refused to become a government official and returned to her hometown instead.
The books and movies in the research all are illustrating the story. When people read these books and watch the movies, they may ask if they are authentic culturally. Most of the books are considered very authentic. The text of most books includes three parts, which are the original poem, Chinese and English translation of poem.
However, the theme is shafting from the books to movies. In the original poem, Mulan took his father’s place to protect her country from invaders because her father was too old to fight. The poem is advocating filial piety. It is a viewpoint of Confucius. Confucius theories influenced china for thousands of years, and filial piety is an important one. It says that people should love, support, respect and obey their parents highly in the family, and obey the emperor in the society. Based on that, Mulan was a good daughter and courtier. It is why the story was spread widely in China.
The themes of the movie are different from the most of books. In the first movie, Mulan is a loveable, spirited girl who doesn't fit in with Chinese tradition because she always speaks her mind and follows her heart. When her country was invaded, she took her aged father's place in the army, and being true to her heart also brings her victory in the end and honor to her family. The theme of the movie is about following her heart to find her success. In the second movie, it is still a main theme. It also talks about trust between people who love each other.
The theme are shafting mostly because of the reader and audience. The readers of the books are children from Chinese heritage families, and the people who are interested in or learning Chinese language and culture. The audience of the movies is all American children and their families. The themes should be understandable for the readers and audience.
The original poem of Mulan was written in ancient Chinese. The translation is very interesting. In most of Mulan books, the poem is translated into contemporary Chinese first, and then, author translates it into English. Most of books translate the poem contextually. It is hard to do sometimes because it may loss information. For example, in one book, it did not mention that Mulan has an older sister and a younger brother. In the movies, Mulan also is a single child at home. Only one book did it literally. In this book, the author even translated the onomatopoeia words at the beginning of the poem. In the English translation, the geographic terms such as Black Mountain or “Hei Shan”, Yellow River or “Huang He” are translated appropriately. However, the Chinese kinship terms are complicated. Younger brother is different from older brother. Older sister are different from younger sister. Mulan has a younger brother and an older sister. The English translation is wrong on the kinship terms sometimes.
I consider that those children books are good resources to teach Chinese in class. Chinese teachers could have students to see the pictures first, and let them tell story in Chinese based on the pictures. Teachers should not give them any background knowledge of the story before it. The students are very creative based on my experience. Even one of my students told a similar story of Mulan.
Then, they can compare their stories with the original story in Chinese. The students will talk about why they think their story is reasonable, and if they like or dislike the original story. The teachers can talk about the background and cultural elements of the story and lead the discussion guided by questions.
After that, teachers can ask the students to compare and contrast Mulan with a heroine in their own culture.
At last, the students could have a reading competition on the original poem with music.
It is always fun when teachers and students talking about Mulan.
The books and movies in the research all are illustrating the story. When people read these books and watch the movies, they may ask if they are authentic culturally. Most of the books are considered very authentic. The text of most books includes three parts, which are the original poem, Chinese and English translation of poem.
However, the theme is shafting from the books to movies. In the original poem, Mulan took his father’s place to protect her country from invaders because her father was too old to fight. The poem is advocating filial piety. It is a viewpoint of Confucius. Confucius theories influenced china for thousands of years, and filial piety is an important one. It says that people should love, support, respect and obey their parents highly in the family, and obey the emperor in the society. Based on that, Mulan was a good daughter and courtier. It is why the story was spread widely in China.
The themes of the movie are different from the most of books. In the first movie, Mulan is a loveable, spirited girl who doesn't fit in with Chinese tradition because she always speaks her mind and follows her heart. When her country was invaded, she took her aged father's place in the army, and being true to her heart also brings her victory in the end and honor to her family. The theme of the movie is about following her heart to find her success. In the second movie, it is still a main theme. It also talks about trust between people who love each other.
The theme are shafting mostly because of the reader and audience. The readers of the books are children from Chinese heritage families, and the people who are interested in or learning Chinese language and culture. The audience of the movies is all American children and their families. The themes should be understandable for the readers and audience.
The original poem of Mulan was written in ancient Chinese. The translation is very interesting. In most of Mulan books, the poem is translated into contemporary Chinese first, and then, author translates it into English. Most of books translate the poem contextually. It is hard to do sometimes because it may loss information. For example, in one book, it did not mention that Mulan has an older sister and a younger brother. In the movies, Mulan also is a single child at home. Only one book did it literally. In this book, the author even translated the onomatopoeia words at the beginning of the poem. In the English translation, the geographic terms such as Black Mountain or “Hei Shan”, Yellow River or “Huang He” are translated appropriately. However, the Chinese kinship terms are complicated. Younger brother is different from older brother. Older sister are different from younger sister. Mulan has a younger brother and an older sister. The English translation is wrong on the kinship terms sometimes.
I consider that those children books are good resources to teach Chinese in class. Chinese teachers could have students to see the pictures first, and let them tell story in Chinese based on the pictures. Teachers should not give them any background knowledge of the story before it. The students are very creative based on my experience. Even one of my students told a similar story of Mulan.
Then, they can compare their stories with the original story in Chinese. The students will talk about why they think their story is reasonable, and if they like or dislike the original story. The teachers can talk about the background and cultural elements of the story and lead the discussion guided by questions.
After that, teachers can ask the students to compare and contrast Mulan with a heroine in their own culture.
At last, the students could have a reading competition on the original poem with music.
It is always fun when teachers and students talking about Mulan.
March 27, 2019
Nicely done, beautiful art, and good vocabulary. However, I am not sure how good the translation is.
January 25, 2025
4.5 stars
Classic tale, gorgeous illustrations
Classic tale, gorgeous illustrations
September 16, 2020
“The he‑hare’s feet go hop and skip,
The she‑hare’s eyes are muddled and fuddled.
Two hares running side by side close to the ground,
How can they tell if I am he or she?”
As I was finishing watching Disney's Mulan live-action adaptation a couple of nights ago and was awfully disappointed by it, I was debating rewatching Mulan animation adaptation for old time's sake (also, bc... Mulan is probably the only "princess" movie I actually enjoyed as a child) or read the original ballad to which the movie is supposedly more faithful to than the 1998 animation ever was. But let me tell you something, it is a lie :)
First of, the ballad offers so few details that both adaptations can be considered truthful to the story, because, for how I see it of course, the ballad only offers the scaffolding for an entirely new story.
Sure the cartoon adaptation has taken, rightfully, a more feminist with a bit of a love story turn, but I feel like it actually stayed true to the original story just as much as the live action one. The live action, on the other hand, did stay true to the story from its part, but also included some details that were totally unnecessary and ruined the whole "let's-be-real" side of the production (I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll keep this part to myself).
Finally, back to the ballad. This ballad seems extremely sterile, it definitely doesn't move the reader like the adaptation do. It has less of a poetic approach, but it still is impressive and very relevant
The she‑hare’s eyes are muddled and fuddled.
Two hares running side by side close to the ground,
How can they tell if I am he or she?”
As I was finishing watching Disney's Mulan live-action adaptation a couple of nights ago and was awfully disappointed by it, I was debating rewatching Mulan animation adaptation for old time's sake (also, bc... Mulan is probably the only "princess" movie I actually enjoyed as a child) or read the original ballad to which the movie is supposedly more faithful to than the 1998 animation ever was. But let me tell you something, it is a lie :)
First of, the ballad offers so few details that both adaptations can be considered truthful to the story, because, for how I see it of course, the ballad only offers the scaffolding for an entirely new story.
Sure the cartoon adaptation has taken, rightfully, a more feminist with a bit of a love story turn, but I feel like it actually stayed true to the original story just as much as the live action one. The live action, on the other hand, did stay true to the story from its part, but also included some details that were totally unnecessary and ruined the whole "let's-be-real" side of the production (I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll keep this part to myself).
Finally, back to the ballad. This ballad seems extremely sterile, it definitely doesn't move the reader like the adaptation do. It has less of a poetic approach, but it still is impressive and very relevant
June 4, 2017
A short poem of the ages; a beautiful minute of your time.
I love 'Mulan', the animated Disney adaptation, and it's a treat to read the ancient ballad - roughly translated in English - about the legend of the woman who traveled and fought for China disguised as a man to save her father and brother. And her country.
If Mulan, or another woman like her with a different name, did exist, then women have always been awesome. If she didn't, then women were always recognized to be awesome.
The final verse:
"The he-hare's feet go hop and skip,
The she-hare's eyes are muddled and fuddled.
Two hares running side by side close to the ground,
How can they tell if I am he or she?"
Or another translation:
" They say the male rabbit likes to hop and leap,
while the female rabbit prefers to sit still.
But in times of danger, when the two rabbits scurry by,
who can tell male from female?"
'The Ballad of Mulan' - A simple, wonderful little journey expounding years of war.
Mulan - The warrior woman of hope for China.
Final Score: 4/5
I love 'Mulan', the animated Disney adaptation, and it's a treat to read the ancient ballad - roughly translated in English - about the legend of the woman who traveled and fought for China disguised as a man to save her father and brother. And her country.
If Mulan, or another woman like her with a different name, did exist, then women have always been awesome. If she didn't, then women were always recognized to be awesome.
The final verse:
"The he-hare's feet go hop and skip,
The she-hare's eyes are muddled and fuddled.
Two hares running side by side close to the ground,
How can they tell if I am he or she?"
Or another translation:
" They say the male rabbit likes to hop and leap,
while the female rabbit prefers to sit still.
But in times of danger, when the two rabbits scurry by,
who can tell male from female?"
'The Ballad of Mulan' - A simple, wonderful little journey expounding years of war.
Mulan - The warrior woman of hope for China.
Final Score: 4/5
January 20, 2025
This is a short lyric poem (15-1/2 quatrain, or 62 lines) that tells the story of a young woman who disguises herself as a man and joins the military to fill a slot that would otherwise have required her aged and infirm father to serve. The tiny poem packs in ten-plus years, during which Hua Mulan serves with great distinction and then returns home to take care of her parents. It's a well-known tale that emphasizes the importance of filial piety and sacrifice. Though outside of China (as well as Taiwan and other Chinese cultural enclaves,) many may know it from the Disney version which has been panned for ditching the Confucian values and replacing them with ones that were thought would resonate better with a Western audience.
The poem is mostly arranged in quatrains of five-character lines with alternate line rhymes.
It's a quick read and there is no room for the detailed tales of heroism that are depicted in adaptations.
If one is looking for a culturally insightful telling of the story of Hua Mulan, this is the right place to look. I'd highly recommend reading it.
The poem is mostly arranged in quatrains of five-character lines with alternate line rhymes.
It's a quick read and there is no room for the detailed tales of heroism that are depicted in adaptations.
If one is looking for a culturally insightful telling of the story of Hua Mulan, this is the right place to look. I'd highly recommend reading it.
Read
November 14, 2021I read this translation of Mulan, which is aimed towards younger audiences, as well as a translated version of the original poem by Hans H. Frankel.
The traditional oriental drawings in Zhang's book was fascinating to look at. It's really interesting to read this and Frankel's translation of the 'source material' that inspired Disney's 1998 Mulan and other retellings. I put this in quotations since this was thought to have been told orally for decades before being written down.
Written as a poem, the story is quite dry and offers very little plot. Really quick to read through though and offers a subtle sense of gender equality. Because Cantonese has undergone less linguistic changes as opposed to Mandarin, you can listen to a Cantonese reading online and hear the rhymes!
The traditional oriental drawings in Zhang's book was fascinating to look at. It's really interesting to read this and Frankel's translation of the 'source material' that inspired Disney's 1998 Mulan and other retellings. I put this in quotations since this was thought to have been told orally for decades before being written down.
Written as a poem, the story is quite dry and offers very little plot. Really quick to read through though and offers a subtle sense of gender equality. Because Cantonese has undergone less linguistic changes as opposed to Mandarin, you can listen to a Cantonese reading online and hear the rhymes!
August 22, 2025
I may be one of the few souls on this planet who watched the live-action of Mulan before the Disney original 😭
I did get a chance to read the poem that the film was based on, and it was a short and sweet read for the evening. I echo my previous thoughts that the theme of “family first” is so strong throughout that Vin Diesel from the Fast and Furious movies would be proud.
And here’s my favourite stanza:
“The male hares’ feet go hop and skip
And female hares look muddled,
But when they run at a good clip,
How can’t one get befuddled?”
Update: I did watch the Disney animated film, and honestly while it does preserve the spirit of the poem, it's so much better.
I did get a chance to read the poem that the film was based on, and it was a short and sweet read for the evening. I echo my previous thoughts that the theme of “family first” is so strong throughout that Vin Diesel from the Fast and Furious movies would be proud.
And here’s my favourite stanza:
“The male hares’ feet go hop and skip
And female hares look muddled,
But when they run at a good clip,
How can’t one get befuddled?”
Update: I did watch the Disney animated film, and honestly while it does preserve the spirit of the poem, it's so much better.
August 18, 2025
A beautifully illustrated rendition of a classic and strangely timeless tale of a young woman's sheer tenacity and love for her family. There's something extremely compelling about someone becoming more than what they are, elevated to new plateaus of capability by this kind of honor and passion.
This book is a wonderful translation, but there are a few other translations of the poem available for free online as well. I recommend checking those out too, as it's interesting to compare how certain things are translated!
This book is a wonderful translation, but there are a few other translations of the poem available for free online as well. I recommend checking those out too, as it's interesting to compare how certain things are translated!
July 30, 2020
I enjoyed. It is a very short read and it would be a good basis for a writer or film maker to extrapilate on. Regardless it is fine/good on its own and is an easy, interesting read. it has differences from the Disney film based off of it, which is nice.
Spoilers:
For example, Disney gets rid of Mulan's little brother. They also add the drama of "If they find out she's a she, they'll kill her!" Which isn't in the original poem.
Spoilers:
For example, Disney gets rid of Mulan's little brother. They also add the drama of "If they find out she's a she, they'll kill her!" Which isn't in the original poem.
January 11, 2022
Beautifully illustrated in a traditional Chinese art style, the story of Mulan is retold here by Shanghai-born Song Nan Zhang. Based on the Song Dynasty version of the “Ballad of Mulan,” this book includes an English translation of the ballad accompanied by lines from the original ballad depicted in the illustrations and in simplified form at the end.
September 23, 2025
Glad to have read this tale as it is traditionally told. The story of Mulan really focuses on one of the core values in Chinese society; loyalty to family. The sacrifices you make for your family is something that you do without question. Mulan went on to win high honor, but it was her love of family that made her able to endure every hardship. Beautiful art!
June 6, 2019
So... I'm stupid and didn't know Mulan was based on a medieval song or ballad. So I found it and read it. It was rather short, and I had to read it in my own language since I don't know chinese. But it was cool to find out about and read.
February 13, 2021
This is a great short book. I listened to it on Youtube. There is not much to say about it.
link to the video in case you want to read it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9R-F...
or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3PLJ...
link to the video in case you want to read it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9R-F...
or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3PLJ...
Read
August 14, 2022i had to stop reading the ballad of mulan 'cause it made me too crazyyyy, it'd be like "Two hares running side by side close to the ground,
How can they tell if I am he or she?" and i'd be like AAAAAAHHHHH
How can they tell if I am he or she?" and i'd be like AAAAAAHHHHH
April 6, 2020
A very lovely retelling with gorgeous illustrations. The historical note at the end added a lot.
October 18, 2020
I read a translation of the Ballad by Jack Yuan (2006) on Wikisource.
January 18, 2021
2.5 stars.
March 5, 2022
Absolutely stunning illustrations. Short but beautifully written.
April 23, 2022
So brief, and yet so so beautiful.
Like life itself perhaps?
Like life itself perhaps?
May 16, 2022
A lot shorter than I thought. It's good. It didn't have a sad ending as I expected.
June 10, 2022
El poema es precioso
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