In this story by Pearl S. Buck, an elderly Chinese woman brought to America by her son has difficulty adjusting to her new environment. With no English and a distaste for American ways she feels isolated, with no purpose in life. Things change when she meets a kind-hearted but “ugly” friend of her daughter-in-law who is worried about becoming Sheng nü (a left-over woman). Despite the language barrier and her inability to get around, she sets out to find her a husband. Themes include identity, tradition, cultural adaption, alienation and isolation, loneliness, respect, the nature of beauty, compassion, kindness.
The twin messages of the story are the folly of those who judge potential partners primarily by facial features and body shape, and the fact that good deeds often come back to you in unexpected ways. In addition to now having friends on the street with whom to share memories of China and thoughts about American life, old Mrs. Pan has developed the confidence to begin venturing out of the family home.