Mr. Sweet Potatoes, and Other Stories

The opening of this charming collection introduces us to a milkman whose nickname, “Father Sweet Potatoes,” immediately sparks curiosity. Set in a remote Chinese valley, his modest enterprise wrestles with the practicalities of bringing milk to a community that has never needed it, leading to clever improvisations and gentle humor. Through the narrator’s eyes we glimpse the cultural clash between foreign demand for dairy and the traditional ways of the locals.

The story then turns to the milkman’s unlikely herd—tiny hump‑back cows and hulking water buffaloes—each described with affectionate detail and a touch of satire. Their strange routines, the children who tether them, and the seasonal quirks of feeding create a vivid portrait of rural life. This lively vignette sets the tone for the rest of the anthology, promising more quirky characters and insightful snapshots of everyday worlds far from our own.