This article explores Pearl S. Buck’s The Water-Buffalo Children (1943) as a symbolic narrative that interweaves childhood innocence, nature’s harmony, and cultural values rooted in rural life. The study highlights how children are represented as emblems of imagination and purity, how nature functions as both a nurturing and symbolic force, and how cultural traditions are subtly transmitted through storytelling. By situating the story within a Chinese rural context, the article demonstrates how Buck Bridges Eastern and Western perspectives, introducing Western readers to Chinese traditions while emphasizing universal values of cooperation, patience, and respect for nature. Through symbolic reading, the article argues that Buck presents an enduring vision of shared humanity, making the story not only a children’s tale but also a reflection of intercultural understanding.

Pearl S. Buck, children’s literature, symbolism, nature, cultural values, childhood, Chinese rural life

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