Boy gets dream visit from King of Fairytales

[Photo by Mei Jia/chinadaily.com.cn]

Zheng Yuanjie, dubbed the Fairytale King, paid a surprise visit to a 5-year-old boy in Chengdu on Friday morning soon after his attendance at the announcement of the China Writers Rich List of 2013.

Ranked second on the list, Zheng's stories, spanning 30 years, about animals and characters called Pipilu and Luxixi have gained him household fame.

He also runs a literature magazine for children. The first generation of his readers are now retelling his stories, with their wit and humor, to their own children.

The moment Zheng knew he'd be in Chengdu to attend the list's launching ceremony, he decided to visit 5-year-old Li Zhirui because he read a touching message online from his father about them reading Zheng's works.

Li Ji, the father, 35, said he had been an avid reader of the books and his son was following in his footsteps, or in this case, turning the same pages.

"The father said in the message that his son is courageous and admires deep-sea divers, which reminds me of my own son, who dives a lot," Zheng said.

On Friday morning, Zheng arrived at the 5-year-old's home before he left for kindergarten.

"Wow, it's the real King of Fairytales," Li Zhirui shouted excitedly before discussing diving and playing with sharks.

The father proudly displayed his collection of Zheng's works to the writer, including an early edition of Zheng's magazine.

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