The Jade Dragon and the Lotus Flower
Long ago, in a small village nestled among the misty mountains of China, there was a beautiful lotus pond. The villagers cherished this pond because it was said to be blessed by a powerful Jade Dragon, a mystical creature that lived in the mountain springs. The pond was always full of crystal-clear water, and the lotus flowers that bloomed there were the purest white, with a fragrance that could heal the sick and soothe the troubled mind.
In this village lived a humble fisherman named Liang. Every morning, Liang would come to the lotus pond to fish, and every evening, he would offer a portion of his catch to the pond as a sign of gratitude for its blessings. One day, as Liang was casting his net, he noticed a tiny golden fish struggling in the shallow water. The fish was caught in a tangle of reeds and was clearly exhausted. Liang gently freed the fish and released it back into the pond.
That night, Liang dreamed of a glowing lotus flower. In his dream, the flower spoke to him in a soft, melodic voice: “Liang, your kindness has not gone unnoticed. I am the spirit of the pond, blessed by the Jade Dragon. For your compassion, I shall grant you a wish. Speak it, and it shall be so.”
Liang, in his dream, replied humbly, “Great spirit, I wish for nothing more than the health and happiness of my fellow villagers. Let the pond always provide pure water and healing lotuses for all.”
The next morning, Liang awoke to find the pond glowing with a mystical light. The lotus flowers were more radiant than ever, and the water sparkled like diamonds in the sun. The villagers, amazed by the transformation, rushed to the pond. They drank from it, bathed in it, and soon, their ailments and worries began to fade away.
Word of the miraculous pond spread far and wide, eventually reaching the ears of a wealthy merchant named Zhao, who lived in a distant city. Greedy and arrogant, Zhao decided to visit the village and claim the pond for himself. He believed that whoever controlled the pond could charge people for its healing waters and become incredibly rich.
When Zhao arrived at the village, he was stunned by the beauty of the pond and the joy of the villagers. He approached Liang and demanded, “Sell me this pond! I will pay you more money than you can ever dream of!”
Liang politely refused. “This pond belongs to everyone, and its blessings are a gift from the Jade Dragon. It is not mine to sell.”
Enraged by Liang’s refusal, Zhao decided to take the pond by force. That night, under the cover of darkness, Zhao ordered his servants to build a fence around the pond, claiming it as his property. The villagers were heartbroken and helpless. They watched in despair as Zhao began charging them for access to the water and the lotuses.
However, as soon as Zhao’s men finished building the fence, a great storm descended upon the village. Thunder roared, and lightning lit up the sky. From the heart of the storm, a mighty Jade Dragon emerged, its scales shimmering with an emerald glow. The dragon soared down to the pond, its eyes blazing with anger.
“You dare claim what is not yours?” the Jade Dragon thundered at Zhao. “This pond is a blessing, meant for all, not to be hoarded by a greedy heart.”
Terrified, Zhao begged for forgiveness, but it was too late. With a flick of its mighty tail, the Jade Dragon shattered the fence and sent Zhao fleeing from the village, never to return. The storm calmed, and the Jade Dragon spoke to the villagers, “Remember, true wealth is not in gold or silver, but in kindness and generosity.”
From that day forward, the pond remained a place of healing and peace. Liang continued his simple life, loved by all for his wisdom and kindness. And the villagers, now more than ever, cherished the lotus pond, remembering that its true power lay not just in its magical waters, but in the spirit of generosity and community it inspired.