By: Arlene Mosel

Illustrated by: Blair Lent

This delightful story has been around for over 40 years, and it’s still as fun as ever! My children always loved when I would read it to them. The tale is a retelling of a traditional Chinese folktale about two brothers: Chang and Tikki Tikki Tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo. Tikki Tikki Tembo, as the firstborn, is given a long and elaborate name, which means “the most Wonderful thing in the whole wide world.”

The story begins when Chang falls into a well, and Tikki Tikki Tembo rushes to get their mother. They both go off to find the old man with the ladder to rescue him. After Chang is saved, all seems well—until Tikki Tikki Tembo falls into the well himself. It becomes a struggle for Chang to get the message across to their mother, who insists on hearing Tikki Tikki Tembo’s long name over and over. The delay in getting help causes Tikki Tikki Tembo to remain in the well for quite a long time, and it takes many moons before he’s fully recovered. Eventually, all Chinese children are given shorter names as a result!

This story is absolutely charming and has stuck with me for years. Even 25 years after reading it to my children, I still remember how to say Tikki Tikki Tembo’s full name!