Telling Stories Around The World

The Tiger and The Purple Dragon (Tale from China)

"Life is wonderful and full of mystery. It has the power to give us things and the power to take them away from us. Sometimes, we are not aware of what we have until the wind blows and it fades away. This is an old story from China that tells us how beautiful and hard life can be."

Once upon a time there was a place called the Garden of Sakuras. It was a site that was in a valley far away and long forgotten by humanity.

The petals of those ancient trees upholstered the ground in pink, the wind created swirls gently and peace lay in every rock, trunk and pond.

One day, among the secret paths, a big figure appeared. It had a challenging look, sharp claws and soft fur in white, black and orange; a tiger.

This living creature was one of the inhabitants of that mystic forest. He always walked around very peaceful showing up his feline beauty. Sometimes, he lay down on the silky and cushioned grass with his belly up in the sunny afternoons and he often climbed a branch to take a rest. The tiger had a nice time but as time went by, he began to feel lonely. No other animal wanted to be with him as he was reckless. So, every night, the tiger looked up to the sky and asked the stars for a wish, a friend and so it was for many moons.

Up his ceaseless wish went traspassing the clouds until it reached the ears of a dragon who lived in a star. The whispers had woken him up. With sleepy eyes, the dragon wondered whose voice was that so he decided to had a look. He shook himself to take out the tiredness that embraced him and flew to Earth.

One night, the tiger, tired, climbed a rock to ask for his wish one more time and in that moment, he noticed that the moon had a dark stain that it grew while it got closer and closer. He could see that the strange stain had claws like him, fangs and a tail too.

The beast landed solemnly and the tiger realized that it was a dragon. A purple dragon from head to toe.

The great reptile introduced himself.

– My cordial greetings, tiger. I am the purple dragon. Lord of the stars and magic. How can I help you?-

– Good evening, majestic lord of the skies- the tiger said.

The tiger stared at the beast's eyes and asked for what he wished.

– I wish to have a friend so I don't feel lonely anymore. A friend to share all the charm and wonders of this place- said the tiger.

So the dragon took a petal from the Sakuras, wrapped it up in blue flames and it became in a fine and fragile maid.

The tiger was astonished by the event but the dragon warned him.

-Tiger, remember. The treasure you have values more than thousand kingdoms. There is no richness in this world that can cover the company of a heart. Defend it with your claws and teeth but do no harm or I will come to take what you love from you-

The dragon made the deal with the tiger and took off to the skies leaving a trace of magic in the air.

The tiger and the maid wandered around the Garden of Sakuras. The great cat taught her all the mysteries and beauties of every nook. They spent hours together and so it was for a long time.

One afternoon, the lady was walking alone through the colored forest and found a little bird. It seemed that it had fallen from its nest so she lifted it carefully with her hands and put it back. She was really happy for having helped. Suddenly, she heard grunts in the bushes. She got close to find out what it was and by surprise the tiger attacked her and hurt her arm.

The young girl ran for her life and got lost among the trees.

The tiger chased after her to a pond and the maid told him.

– Why did you do this to me, tiger?-

– Because I am your only friend and no one else- said the tiger angrily.

– Tiger, Did you forget it?- asked the lady.

– What did I forget?- replied the tiger.

– You forgot that I am part of here, of this place that you love the most. Here was where I was born- replied the woman.

The tiger felt ashamed. He didn't know what to say.

All of a sudden, the wind started to blow wildly. The tops of the trees were shaken from side to side and from the sky, the purple dragon emerged.

The dragon let the lady get on his loin and without saying any word, they both took off and got lost in the stars.

The tiger ran as fast as he could to the highest part of a mountain to reach them but when he turned up, it was too late.

The sad cat remained there with what it was left of the afternoon and stayed the night meowing the stars for forgiveness. Little by little, he started to fall asleep.

On the day after, he decided to return to the valley but the garden wasn't there anymore, it had disappeared.

There was nothing but a desert place. The soft and cushioned grass had died, the ponds had dried out and the signing of birds was no longer heard. There was nothing, nothing but solitude.

The tiger made his way to another valley but whenever he stepped into a new garden, the vegetation that surrounded him would just succumb. He was coursed, he had been coursed by the dragon. The price had been high; wandering through unknown lands alone until the end of his days.