Fish Cheeks facts for kids

Fish Cheeks is a short story, also called an essay, written by Chinese-American author Amy Tan. It was first published in 1987 in Seventeen magazine. The story is about a Christmas Eve dinner when Amy Tan was 14 years old. It shares important lessons about accepting who you are and being proud of your family's culture.

The story is often used in school classes, especially for students around 12 to 14 years old. It helps young people think about themes like accepting differences, growing up, family bonds, and understanding different cultures.

What Happens in "Fish Cheeks"

The story "Fish Cheeks" follows a young girl named Amy as she deals with new people and problems. Amy is a 14-year-old Chinese girl. The story takes place on Christmas Eve. Her Chinese family has invited American friends over for a traditional Chinese dinner. These friends include a boy Amy has a crush on.

Amy's Worries Begin

Amy gets very upset when she hears about the dinner. She is afraid of what the American family will think of her Chinese Christmas traditions. As her mother starts cooking, Amy's worries grow. The usual foods her family makes suddenly seem strange to her. The kitchen fills with what she sees as "appalling mounds of raw food."

The Embarrassing Dinner

When dinner begins, Amy feels like all hope is lost. Her family acts differently than Robert's family. Her father pulls a tender fish cheek from the fish. He offers it to Amy because it is her favorite. This makes her want to disappear from the dinner table.

As the Christmas dinner continues, Amy feels more and more ashamed. She is embarrassed by her family and by the food, especially the fish cheeks. She is also embarrassed when her father belches after dinner. He explains that it is a polite Chinese custom to show satisfaction.

A Mother's Important Lesson

After the guests leave, Amy is quiet and unsure what to say. Her mother talks to her. She tells Amy, "the only shame is to have shame." Her mother says Amy should be proud of her own heritage. Later, Amy realizes how special that meal truly was. She understands that all the foods made for that dinner were her favorites. She should have enjoyed the meal instead of worrying so much about the guests.

Lessons from "Fish Cheeks"

"Fish Cheeks" teaches us many important lessons. It shows how Amy feels worse and worse about the dinner. She is very embarrassed by how different she is from her crush and his family. By the end of the story, Amy finds peace about the situation.

Accepting Yourself

One main lesson is about accepting who you are. Amy learns that being different is not something to be ashamed of. Her mother helps her see that her Chinese heritage is something to be proud of.

Family and Culture

The story also highlights the importance of family. It shows how families have their own unique customs and traditions. It teaches us to appreciate our own culture and the cultures of others.

Growing Up

"Fish Cheeks" is also a story about growing up. Amy learns a valuable lesson about self-acceptance and cultural pride. This helps her understand herself better as she gets older.