[Lin] Miaoke, a third grader, was judged cute and appealing but “not suitable” as a singer [to perform in the Olympics Opening Ceremony last week]. Another girl, Yang Peiyi, 7, was judged the best singer but not as cute.

So when Miaoke opened her mouth to sing, the voice that was actually heard was a recording of Peiyi[...] But not the face: photos of Peiyi posted online show a happy girl with imperfect teeth, hardly an uncommon problem in China.

“Everyone should understand this in this way,” Mr. Chen [Qigang, general music designer of the opening ceremonies] said. “This is in the national interest. It is the image of our national music, national culture, especially during the entrance of our national flag. This is an extremely important, extremely serious matter.”

He added, “I think it is fair to both Lin Miaoke and Yang Peiyi.”

On Monday, Peiyi appeared on China Central Television, or CCTV, the state network. “I’m O.K. with it,” she told her interviewer, even performing a song. “My voice was used in the performance. I think that’s enough.”

Surrounded by Mr. Chen, several members of the politburo, and an armed “honor guard”, Peiyi continued. “I am so happy to have been able to contribute something to the glory of China, despite my considerable physical wretchedness.  My only wish is that I could carve my voice out of my throat and give it to Lin Miaoke, who is so beautiful and would better use it to serve the national interest. She is like a fairy, and I am like an ugly, ugly troll. Which is why it is so lucky that I was able to be a part of China’s great Olympic ceremony at all. It is truly a fairy tale come true, except for at the end the troll (me) is still hideous.”

Asked about her plans for the future, little Peiyi smiled and said “to serve and honor China in any small invisible way where my countrymen and women do not have to look at me. Maybe a salt mine.  And even though it is silly, given my imperfect teeth, I would like to someday get married.  I only hope that I can find a husband who can tolerate such a wife.  If he hits me only occasionally, who will be able to blame him?”

Peiyi than smiled her ghastly smile and mercifully replaced the shroud that she wears in public in accordance with the national interest, and was escorted out. 

Tags: china, olympics, dentistry, snaggleteeth, yang peiyi, fairy tales where at the end the troll is still hideous, lin miaoke