Whispers Of Yesterday: Treasures Of Timeless Tales

A Tale From The By Gone Ears,2

In the mist-shrouded mountains of ancient China, there existed a legend passed down through generations—the tale of Liang and Zhu, two lovers whose bond transcended time and space.

Long ago, in the celestial realm, Liang was a skilled celestial archer tasked with maintaining balance and harmony in the mortal world. Zhu, a beautiful weaver maiden, resided in the heavens, her fingers weaving intricate patterns among the stars.

One fateful day, as Liang gazed upon the mortal realm, his eyes met Zhu's across the vast expanse of the night sky. Their connection was instantaneous, a spark that ignited a love so powerful, it defied the laws of the heavens.

Forbidden from being together by the celestial hierarchy, Liang and Zhu devised a plan to meet in secret. They descended to the mortal realm, disguising themselves as mere mortals, and found solace in each other's arms beneath the branches of a blossoming peach tree.

Their love blossomed like the flowers in spring, but their happiness was short-lived. The Jade Emperor, ruler of the heavens, discovered their forbidden romance and punished them, banishing Liang to the mortal realm and Zhu to the farthest reaches of the heavens.

Separated by an insurmountable divide, Liang and Zhu refused to give up hope. Liang embarked on a perilous journey across the mortal realm, facing trials and tribulations at every turn, determined to reunite with his beloved.

Meanwhile, Zhu spent her days weaving a tapestry of stars, each thread a testament to their undying love. Her tears fell like silver dewdrops, painting the night sky with shimmering constellations that mirrored the ache in her heart.

After years of searching, Liang and Zhu's unwavering devotion finally moved the heavens themselves. The deities, touched by their sacrifice, granted them one night together each year—the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, when the magpies formed a bridge across the Milky Way.

On that magical night, Liang and Zhu would be reunited, their love burning as brightly as the stars above. They would dance among the clouds, their laughter echoing through the heavens, until the first light of dawn signaled their inevitable parting.

Though their time together was fleeting, Liang and Zhu found solace in the knowledge that their love would endure for eternity, a beacon of hope and inspiration for lovers throughout the ages—a timeless testament to the power of love that transcends even the boundaries of the celestial realm.

                                          • • •