Structurally, this proverb is different from the others as it is still segmented into two parts – but instead of a cause and effect, there is more of an interruption in that a person’s ignorance of their true friends will remain – until something happens to them that requires some assistance. The simplicity of the proverb stands out as well. It does not have the metaphors or imagery present in the other proverbs, but the simplicity magnifies the impact of the message.

General Information about Item:

• Verbal Folkore, Proverb
• Language: Chinese
• Country of Origin: China
• Informant: Katie Zhao
• Date Collected: 10-31-18

Informant Data:

Katie Zhao is born and raised in New York City. She is 29 years old and works as a recruiter at a hedge fund. She was born in China, but moved to the United States when she was 7 years old. Her parents maintained their traditional Chinese lifestyle at home in Brooklyn, even as Katie grew up in America and attended American schools. Katie still feel greatly connected to her Chinese family past as her grandmother, uncle, aunt and cousin continue to reside there.

Contextual Data:

Katie heard this riddle from her mother a few years ago when she was telling her about her childhood. Katie was very young when she was told this story. Her mother spoke of how her childhood friends had supported her growing up in Guangzhou through many issues she was facing at home.

Item:

Orally transmitted proverb:

和朋友在黑暗里同行，好过一人在光明中独步。

Zài hēi’àn zhōng yǔ péngyǒu yīqǐ sànbù bǐ zài guāngmíng zhōng dúzì xíngzǒu gèng hǎo

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.

Associated file (a video, audio, or image file):

Transcript:

和朋友在黑暗里同行，好过一人在光明中独步。
Zài hēi’àn zhōng yǔ péngyǒu yīqǐ sànbù bǐ zài guāngmíng zhōng dúzì xíngzǒu gèng hǎo
Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.

I heard this riddle from my mother, when she was talking about the friends she made during childhood. I remember her telling me this when I was very young. I was very young and we were at home, when she was telling stories about her childhood growing up in Guangzhou.

To me, this proverb means that friends are people you can depend on during the hardest times of your life. They are supposed to support you and be people to lean on and confide in. I also really like the metaphorical aspects of the dark and the light.

This is a proverb you would hear during a difficult time in your life, when you need to be reminded of the value of your friends.

Informant’s Comments:

Katie thinks this proverb exemplifies friendship to her, as well as to her grandmother. Friends are people to lean and depend on, which is a quality that she looks for in those she chooses with which to be friends. Moreover, she can see the loneliness in walking alone, even if things in life are going well. To her, this proverb makes sense in that the “light” in life will most likely give way to darker times in life at some point, and then you are better off having friends to face such darkness than be by yourself. Furthermore, there is a feeling of safety and security in having a friend to confide in and lean on during those darker times. And even during easier times in life, it is better to share that joy with someone else, rather than just enjoy it by yourself. You would normally hear this proverb during times of difficulty when you need to depend on your friends while “walking in the dark”.

Collector’s Comments:

There is a parallel structure present in the proverb as the two halves are separated in comparing walking with a friend in the dark, to walking alone in the light. Such stark contrast is also a common feature of Chinese proverbs, and the balance of the structure reflects the balance of the differences between those two scenarios. It makes sense that Katie remembered this proverb as she faced many difficulties with her transition in a different country and must appreciate her friends that helped her through it.

Collector’s Name: Rachel Zhao

Tags/Keywords:

• Chinese
• Friends
• Light
• Dark
• Hardship

General Information about Item:

• Verbal Folkore, Proverb
• Language: Chinese
• Country of Origin: China
• Informant: Linda Xia
• Date Collected: 10-31-18

Informant Data:

Linda Xia is an international student from China, studying at Dartmouth College. She is considering studying Economics. She was born and raised in Beijing, China. She loves old, Chinese fairy tales, and grew up hearing proverbs and short Chinese sayings from family members. She enjoys studying and living at Dartmouth, but often misses home.

Contextual Data:

Linda heard this riddle from her mother when she first began attending Dartmouth. Her mother had previously heard it from her grandmother. She was on the phone with her mother, speaking about how she was adjusting and making friends on campus. She was lamenting about how difficult it was for her to make friends compared to others. Her mother then told her this proverb that Linda’s grandmother had once told her.

Item:

Orally transmitted proverb:

如果只看到森林，他们会忘记树的美丽

Rúguǒ zhǐ kàn dào sēnlín, tāmen huì wàngjì shù dì měilì

If one only sees the forest, they forget the beauty of the tree

Associated file (a video, audio, or image file):

Transcript:

• The proverb I have is:

  如果只看到森林，他们会忘记树的美丽

  Rúguǒ zhǐ kàn dào sēnlín, tāmen huì wàngjì shù dì měilì

  If one only sees the forest, they forget the beauty of the tree

  I am an international student from China, still undecided but considering majoring in economics. I was born and raised in Shanghai. I grew up hearing a lot of proverbs and Chinese sayings, and I really like Chinese folklore and stories too. I’m enjoying my time at Dartmouth, but I miss China a lot.

  I heard this proverb from my mom when I first got to Dartmouth. We were on the phone in my room and it was hard for me at first to make a lot of friends. But then,  my mom told me this proverb to make me feel better. She had heard it from my grandmother.

  To me, this proverb means you can only have so many close friends. To be fair, I’m also very unsure of this proverb because I think you can have many close friends. But, you can only spend so much of your time and energy on so many people, and you’re going to be closer and have deeper relationships with some more than others. Also, I see it as saying that those who have a lot of friends, mostly to be popular, won’t enjoy what real friendship is. But I also like the visual and metaphorical aspect of this proverb. I think people would usually hear it in times of hardship, when they need to be reminded of who their true friends are.

Informant’s Comments:

Linda is more skeptical about this proverb than the others. She believes that there is some truth in it, as friendships should take time and commitment. Therefore, there is only so much time and energy one can spend in their relationships, that it is inevitable that some friendships are deeper than others. However, she also questions the idea that one cannot have numerous close friends, and asks at what number of close friends is too numerous to have a meaningful connection with them. She also sees the proverb as a slight against those who merely use their friendships and relationships for their own personal gain, rather than for mutual benefit. Those who only use friends for social gain or for repetitional purposes will most likely not experience the true depths and affections of friendship. However, she enjoys the natural metaphor of the trees, and considers it very beautiful. One would normally hear this proverb when they are considering who their true friends are – perhaps in times of hardship.

Collector’s Comments:

This proverb has the similar two clause structure of many Chinese proverbs, and like many other Chinese proverbs, organizes itself into a cause and effect relationship. There is also the image of nature as a metaphor for friendship, which is also common in many other Chinese proverbs as nature is a large part of Chinese art and Chinese folk culture relies on connecting with nature. Linda seems to disagree with this proverb, which is fitting given her quick adaption to Dartmouth and her reliance on all of her friends to help her through the transition, rather than a few close ones.

Collector’s Name: Rachel Zhao

Tags/Keywords:

• Chinese
• Friends
• Forest
• Individuals