Origins of Origami: An Interview With Master Yueling

     Today we have travelled all the way to Shenkuu to interview Master Yueling, the wise Gnorbu elder of the Lunar Temple, who is a respected scholar with expansive wisdom on all kinds of Shenkuuvian knowledge, games and arts.

     Me: Good day, Master Yueling. I would like to ask you what you know about origami?

     Master Yueling: Excellent question, my dear young Neopet. But before I answer, what do you know about the lunar cycle?

     Me: Master Yueling, I think you’re straying from the topic at hand. I’m not here for your famous lunar challenge.

     Master Yueling: Knowledge is a resource meant to be shared, it is also shared across branches of multiple fields even those that may seem like they have no relation at all.

     Me: Thank you Master Yueling but I still don’t understand how this relates to origami?

     Master Yueling: Patience young one, pursuit of knowledge requires respect and a whole lot of time listening to your elders! Here, have a mooncake as I tell you about the origins of origami. Did you know that the very first origami was of the moon Kreludor?

     Me: Whoa! That sounds awesome, and this moon cake is delicious! I’m sorry for interrupting you, Master. Please continue.

     Master Yueling: Thank you, my secret ingredient is adding a hint of White Squid Root extract in the filling. Now, back to the topic at hand. Long ago, as the world wondered about the mysteries of the universe, many types of masters explored all kinds of fields. While some, like the Seekers, sought knowledge as scholars and explored sciences to expand what we know through logic and reasoning, others preferred to explore the realm of imagination and test the limits of the arts and recreation. Rumours say that the very first origami ever made was done accidentally by a bored student who refused to do their homework. They said this Neopian struggled with math, and in their disdain, they crumpled their paper into a ball. This unknown person’s crumpled piece of paper ended up representing one of the most important rocks in Neopia; an origami of the lunar celestial body of Kreludor.

     Me: Wow, that’s a pretty cool story! But while I like Kreludor as much as the next guy, crumpling a piece of paper doesn’t sound that impressive though, I think anyone could’ve done that.

     Master Yueling: Yes, I agree that it wasn't a particularly difficult origami to make but they were the first to do it, the very first to even attempt such a bold idea. Knowledge is expanded by those who have the courage to explore the unknown, those who think the unthinkable into reality, even if it's done by accident. If you think about it, every origami isn’t very impressive, as all of them are only a series of folds and creases, which anyone can make if they know the right steps on how to make them. But to know requires someone having tried before, and that is why trying is so important in the pursuit of knowledge; it is how to pass on our accumulated experiences into the future. Although this piece of paper has long been lost to time, the knowledge of its existence and story is still being passed down from generations of masters to honour the roots of their humble origins.

     Me: I never thought of it like that, you are surely as wise as they say.

     Master Yueling: No one is born wise, I have trained for decades in puzzles and games ever since I was a little Gnorbu and yet I still continue to learn new things every day. Just last night, I finally learned to play the new Dacardian game on the mobile telephone machine that Clara got me on the Day of Giving.

     Me: Master, I can’t believe you also play that game! Can you add me to your guild? By the way, if origami was something that was invented, then where did the Origami Petpets come from?

     Master Yueling: I’m sorry, but I already joined my students’ guild, and we’re currently full at the moment. A great question! As we are inspired by the patterns in nature to make wonderful inanimate objects, inanimate objects too, have gained inspiration from the wonderful patterns of nature and life itself. Despite their inorganic nature, Origami Petpets have learned what it means to be alive. It is a miracle that transcends logic and science, fuelled by the magic of creativity and passion for the arts.

     Me: But Master, can something made from paper truly be alive?

     Master Yueling: Who are we to judge what deserves to be called alive and what does not? Surely this is a right that we should freely give to anyone who seeks it. Just like how paintings capture the beauty of life in pictures and colours as vivid as the subject, origami strives to capture the very shape of life in delicate paper folds. The flower knows not the world beyond the bed of its garden, but it still blooms with life just as much as any Neopian. Why should inanimate objects deserve to be barred from experiencing such a beautiful thing? Throughout the years, origami became more than just an art form; it has developed its own soul and eventually gained sentience. Once lifeless origami creations, now take the form of living origami fauna such as Petpets, that don’t require basic needs such as food and water. But it is not the innate need for resources such as food and water that makes us feel alive; it is the ability and freedom to be oneself and to choose one’s own destiny.

     Me: But do these Origami Petpets even need anything to survive?

     Master Yueling: Although they have developed sentience, they are still as fragile as paper and require care to preserve and maintain properly. As most of these Petpets are made from common biodegradable materials, they are susceptible to weathering, wear and tear, and can suffer deterioration over time. Additionally, like all Petpets, they also have the fundamental basic need to love and be loved. Thanks to the efforts of the wonderful people at the Petpet Protection League, these Petpets were adopted into tutorial programs and have become widely widespread. Because Origami Petpets are very easy to look after, this made them one of the most popular starter Petpets in all of Neopia.

     Me: So that’s why everyone I know has at least one Origami Petpet! But what about Origami Neopets? How did they come to be?

     Master Yueling: Yes, it was a quiet morning on Y20. I remember it like it was yesterday. While reading my copy of the Neopian Times, I almost spat out my tea in awe as I was astounded to read about Origami Neopets and how they started appearing in Neopia in the form of the Origami-coloured Gelert. Origami as a Neopet colour has long been speculated by many, but was never properly confirmed until then. As more and more Origami colours continue to be discovered throughout the years, an Origami Paint Brush that predates any other recorded source was recently located in an old shrine here in Shenkuu. This evidence suggests that the very idea and form of Origami-coloured Neopets may be older than we once thought. This colour may very well have been the result of countless continued advancements of origami artisans breathing life into paper and perfecting their artform.

     Me: So what’s where Origami Neopets come from! Shenkuu is full of all kinds of wonderful surprises. Thank you so much again, Master Yueling, for agreeing to be interviewed today. You have been really helpful!

     Yueling: Of course, I enjoy sharing my knowledge with the younger generation, but I will now be testing you on this subject to see if you actually paid enough attention!

     Me: Oh no! I didn’t know you would be quizzing me about it!

     Yueling: We must constantly challenge ourselves beyond what we deem comfortable to exceed our limits. As a prize I will also throw in a batch of my signature mooncakes as a means to motivate you to do well.

     Yueling: Time’s up, give me your paper!

     Me: How did I do, Master Yueling?

     Yueling: You did terribly, you only got two of the ten answers correctly.

     Me: I’m so sorry, Master, I wish I paid more attention.

     Yueling: The road to being knowledgeable starts with knowing what you do not know. And you seem not to know much at the moment, but I know you will do better next time simply because I believe you will continue to grow as a person and learn from your experiences. Here, take a mooncake to go anyway.

     Me: Are you sure? But I failed you, Master!

     Yueling: Sometimes the pursuit of knowledge is just as valuable as knowing the right answer. You being here and showing interest already tells me that you love learning. Please accept it as a consolation prize, and may your spark continue to grow.

     Me: Thank you, Master Yueling. I will value your teachings well.

     The End.