Ching Ling Foo facts for kids
Ching Ling Foo was a famous Chinese magician. His real name was Chee Ling Qua (born in 1854, died in 1922). Many people say he was the first magician from East Asia to become famous all over the world.
Contents
Life of a Magician
Ching Ling Foo was born in Beijing, China, on May 11, 1854. He learned traditional Chinese magic and became a very respected performer in his home country.
Amazing Tricks
During his shows, Ching Ling Foo would amaze his audience with many incredible tricks.
- He could breathe smoke and fire.
- He would pull long ribbons and a 15-foot pole from his mouth.
- One of his most shocking tricks involved using a sword to "cut off" a helper's head. Then, the "beheaded" helper would walk off the stage, leaving the audience stunned!
The Water Bowl Trick
Another famous trick involved a large bowl of water.
- Ching Ling Foo would show an empty cloth.
- From the cloth, he would produce a huge bowl, completely full of water.
- Then, he would pull a small child out of the bowl!
When he brought his show to the United States in 1898, he offered a big reward. He said he would give $1,000 to anyone who could do his water bowl trick. This was a lot of money back then, like getting about $33,050 today!
The Rivalry
A magician from New York named William Robinson heard about the $1,000 reward. He tried to do the trick, but Ching Ling Foo turned him away.
Since he couldn't get the reward, William Robinson decided to create his own Chinese-style magic show. He changed his name to Chung Ling Soo and pretended to be a Chinese magician. He traveled to Europe, and a big rivalry started between the two magicians.
Family in the Act
Ching Ling Foo's family often joined him on stage.
- He would often make his daughter, Chee Toy, appear during his act.
- His son would perform exciting acrobatics and juggling.
Ching Ling Foo passed away in Shanghai, China, in 1922. He was 69 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Ching Ling Foo para niños
