Asian Story

In ancient times, in a small village on a legendary flying island, lived people who depended on a river flowing down from the mountains. This river was their source of life-it gave them water to drink, to irrigate their fields, and to care for their animals. But one day, something terrible happened. Evil forces dwelling deep within dark caves stole all the water from the river and hid it in an underground lake, punishing the people for their disrespect toward nature.

The village quickly fell into drought. The fields withered, the animals perished, and the people suffered. Everyone prayed to the heavens, but no water came. Then, from the mountains appeared a mighty being-a great golden dragon named Ryūjin, the Dragon King, guardian of water and storms. He fought the evil forces that had stolen the water but was wounded and weakened.

Ryūjin knew he could no longer return the water by himself. So, he decided to help a young boy named Taro, known for his courage and pure heart. The dragon appeared to him in a dream and began sending signs-beams of light, the whisper of the wind, soft murmurs in the treetops-that guided Taro in the right direction.

“Taro,” the dragon said in the dream, “help me bring the water back to the people. I am weak, but together we can succeed. Follow the signs I send you and find the way to the dark cave where the water is hidden. A white beam from the sky will mark the entrance to the chamber where the evil forces have trapped the water. They will try to destroy you with poisonous slime. My power is enough to transform a piece of that slime into a green substance. If you touch it three times, you will see a blue cloud. Put your head into it, and if you can do it twice in a row, you will liberate one part of the island.”

If you succeed, the people will celebrate the return of life to the flying island and give thanks to the dragon and brave Taro. They will realize that, although the dragon is weakened, its inner strength and wisdom can lead those with pure hearts to save the world.