Behind a white curtain, a dozen people with an average height of no more than 1.26 meters (4'1'') pose and move figures like "elephant", "tiger", and "monkey" on a screen. They speak their lines in child-like voices.
In front of the curtain, a group of children watch the interesting shadow play, laughing happily.
This shadow play is being performed by a troupe composed of people who are vertically challenged.
Tian Chenguang is one the actors in the troupe. At the age of 16, he was told he would grow no taller. Only 1.2 meters tall, he was very depressed by the news. At the end of 2008 he left home with 1,500 yuan and came to join the troupe.
Compared with normal-sized people, Tian and his friends have to conquer greater obstacles in their performances. Because of their size, the sticks they use to control the leather silhouettes are 20-30 centimeters longer than normal, which makes it even harder to control the silhouettes. After years of practice, Tian now is a leading actor in the troupe.
"I met my wife Fan Jinjuan three months after I joined the troupe. It was love at first sight. Then we started dating. When we decided to get married, my parents were thrilled," said Tian Chengguang happily.
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