The Legend of the Panda. Volume V Number 12 . . . . The Legend of the Panda. Illustrated by Song Nan Zhang. Review by Valerie Nielsen.
Children are particularly fond of legends which explain how animals came to be the way they are.
Dolma is a beautiful young shepherdess who tends her sheep on the steep slopes of the mountains surrounding the Wolong Valley in China. One day, returning from gathering herbs, Dolma surprises a snow leopard attacking the defenseless Beishung. Without a thought for her own safety, Dolma rushes forward and attempts to beat off the attacker. Although she saves the panda cub, Dolma is killed by the snow leopard. The Beishung, out of their deep love for Dolma, join the grieving villagers in smearing themselves with ashes.