Jan. 29 (UPI) — A stuffed horse that appears to be crying due to an error in production has become China’s latest hot toy, with fans declaring it to be an icon for dissatisfied office workers.
The $4 stuffed toy, made in Yiwu International Trade City, was meant to be a smiling icon for the Year of the Horse, but an error in production caused the muzzle to be sewn on upside-down, giving it a frown and making the nostrils appear to be falling tears.
The erroneous stuffies went viral after a customer posted photos online.
Factory owner Zhang Huoqing said about 400 horses were being sold per day when they first released in October, but the viral status of the “crying horse” led to orders reaching tens of thousands per day, with wholesale orders also coming in from as far away as South Africa.
The horses have become mascots for young workers who previously branded themselves “niu ma,” which translates to “cattle and horse” and is commonly used as a euphemism for overworked employees.
“This little horse looks so sad and pitiful, just like the way I feel at work,” the South China Morning Post quoted a customer with the handle Tuan Tuan Mami as saying online. “With this crying toy in the Year of the Horse, I hope to leave all my grievances at work behind and keep only happiness.”
