- Origin
- China
- Source
- Zhongguo Tonghua -- (Chinese Fairy Tales)
- Eds. Zheng Shuo Ren & Gu Nai Qing
- Shang Hai Wen Yi: Shang Hai, 1989
- The Story
- Hai Li Bu is respected for his generosity. One day, after saving a
little white snake from the attack of a white wild goose, he is rewarded
a special gem. For the little white snake is in fact the daughter of the
Dragon King. The gem enables Hai Li Bu to understand the tongues of
animals. The only precaution is that no matter what he hears from the
animals, he can't repeat it to others, or he'll turn into stone himself.
It is extremely useful to understand the language of animals for a
hunter. However, when he hears the news from the animals that the flood is
coming, he has to inform his fellow men. Hai Li Bu turns into a rock but
the villagers are all saved.
- Comments
- The dragons in this story act and think just like humans. There is
no special description of any of the dragon family members.
Comparative Note:
| This story is similar to that of
the Luminous
Pearl by Betty Torre in that the Dragon King's daughter is saved and
a reward with magical power is given. However, unlike the fairy tale
ending of the happy wedding of the young man and the Dragon King's Princess,
this story has the powerful hero tragedy ending. The Dragon King in this
story also does not dwell in the sea or is associated with the
water element as most other Dragon King stories. |
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Introduction/Index