never invented an aNIMAL BEFORE; i'M BETTER AT PEOPLE.this is very rough, trying to figure it out(.My dad was born in ancient China,to American citizens,came to US at 14; it was like having an immigrant parent.We used to go to Chinatown, in San Francisco, CA, when I was a kid, and he spoke Mandarin to the restaurant owners.But, unfortunately, he never taught Mandarin to we kids.We were always influenced by Asia and my dad had young Chinese friends, from the University, to discuss philosophy with.He even told us what old China was like, before Communism; it was very different!! 
They had lived in the northern Province of Hunan, in a big city surrounded by huge, long stone walls, very high, very wide. There were even left over Cannibals, who became "reformed" by Christianity, or something.(Pearl Bucks' family was there, at the same time.)My father wrote Chinese Fairy tales, later, but we wish he had written his life, & about real China; he never did that. He reminded me of the old Chinese father, in "Flower Drum Song," the novel.Lots of immigrants who come to the USA, never get over their real home nation. They miss it forever, & want to go back.--and live there. But China went to Communism.All the old religion and "ancestral worship" were probably gone. (???)
He wanted to visit Taiwan, but did not retire soon enough, & got sick.My sister had many Chinese & Asian friends in SF, all her life.I miss SF, CA, too, but it CHANGED HORRIBLEY. ugh.
Now I am old, I'm thinking about taking a class in Mandarin, at a near university.Maybe I miss the sound. Sorry if I wrote too much; I love dragons and lions. 
I think i just wanted to explain my influences. I still love ancient Asian art in museums. thank you!! 
