The Outfoxed Fox: Based on a Japanese Kyogen

by Tim J. Myers, Ariel Ya-Wen Pang

Hundreds of years ago in the mountains of Japan, there lived a hunter who trapped many foxes. People warned him that foxes were cunning creatures that possessed great magic, but he ignored them. One day, the bossy old fox leader declared they must stop the hunter and that he had the perfect plan. But a young fox with crooked whiskers knew that a simple plan is often best. To prove it, he showed both the hunter and the leader just how cunning a fox can be! Whimsical illustrations rendered in pencil, water-color, oil paint, and colored pencil by Ariel Ya-Wen Pang add to the charm of this Japanese tale based on a traditional kyogen. An author’s note is included.

Genres: Picture Books, Japan, Childrens

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

Tim J. Myers is a writer, songwriter, storyteller, and lecturer at Santa Clara University in Silicon Valley. His"Glad to Be Dad: A Call to Fatherhood" is out from Familius and "Nectar of Story: Poems" from BlazeVox. He has 15 children's books out and one on the way. His children’s books have won recognition from the New York Times, NPR, the Smithsonian, Nickelodeon, and others. He’s published over 130 poems, won a first prize in a poetry contest judged by John Updike, has a poetry chapbook out, won a major prize in science fiction, was nominated for two Pushcarts, and has published much other fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. He recently won the West Coast Songwriters Saratoga Chapter Song of the Year award. His website is www.TimMyersStorySong.com, his YouTube channel is at https://www.youtube.com/user/TimJMyers, and he can whistle and hum at the same time.

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a retelling of an old Japanese Kyogen, a short humorous play or story, but with a serious theme. (Something akin to a fable in European culture). The theme in this Kyogen is the human desire for egotistical satisfaction, and it shows us, through comedy, how such desire can lead us astray.
A great story to read with kids, and an interesting Japanese view of the apologue that I have heard often - "Pride goeth before a fall."

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is entertaining tale from Japan about wisdom and ego and the Buddhist belief that all life is sacred. (This review being typed as my husband is away on a hunting trip for deer.) I like that the story ends up being a bit of a trickster tale.

The narrative is somewhat humorous and the illustrations are terrific - I loved the expressions. We enjoyed reading this book together and I really liked the author's note at the end that explains more about noh and kyogen plays.

[Bookmaniac70 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subtle humor and wonderful pictures

"I suppose sometimes simple is best "- I loved that sentence! Very good version of an old Japanese story with a lesson. The text is easy to read but not simplified. The pictures pair it beautifully.

[Bookmaniac70 · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I suppose sometimes simple is best "- I loved that sentence! Very good version of an old Japanese story with a lesson. The text is easy to read but not too simplified. The pictures accompany it beautifully.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Traditional Japanese form, where the young fox is wiser than the old. Interesting but the flow is not perfect.

[Tim Myers]

This is my retelling of an old Japanese kyogen, a short humorous play. When magical foxes try to trick a dangerous hunter into moving away, magic turns out to be less powerful than a simple plan.