Jean Sheard

A Chinese Fantasy - Cave in a Casket Jean Sheard

This is a fantasy with a Chinese setting which tells the story of Kiam who is whisked away by kite from his peasant village to help the Emperor Chan save his people from the evil sorcerer Pang, who is turning all the Emperor's subjects into enslaved birds. Kiam must find Pang's heart, his soul and the tears from the weeping willow tree and is given an ivory casket to help him. The pebble it contains turns into a beautiful blue cave (hence the title) through which he finds his way to magical lands. With the help of three magic gifts, a book, satin slippers and a glass bottle, he learns he must reach the top of the highest mountain before the dragon devours the sun. He rescues the butterfly which is Pang's soul,looks into Pang's empty heart and listens to the tears from the weeping willow tree. After many adventures he returns home, now a grown man, and lives happily ever after with Fei-Lan, the Emperor's beautiful daughter.