The Four Dragons

A Chinese Folktale

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Rewritten by The Legendary Connection

TLC#00025

Once upon a time, there were no rivers or lakes on earth, only the vast Eastern Sea. In this sea lived four mighty dragons: the Long Dragon, the Yellow Dragon, the Black Dragon, and the Pearl Dragon. One bright day, the four dragons flew high into the sky, playing among the clouds, soaring and diving with joy.

“Come here quickly!” the Pearl Dragon suddenly called out.

“What’s happening?” asked the others as they gathered near. Below them, they saw people on the ground, setting out fruits and cakes, burning incense, and praying. A white-haired woman, carrying a small boy on her back, knelt on the ground, whispering, “Please, God of Heaven, send rain so that our children can eat.”

The land had been dry for a long time. Crops were dying, the grass had turned yellow, and cracks spread across the dry fields.

“How sad,” said the Yellow Dragon, his heart heavy. “If it doesn’t rain soon, the people will starve.”

“We must help them,” said the Long Dragon. “Let’s ask the Jade Emperor to send rain.” The four dragons flew off to the Heavenly Palace, where the Jade Emperor, ruler of heaven, earth, and sea, lived.

Inside the palace, the Jade Emperor was listening to the songs of fairies when the dragons rushed in. He was not pleased to see them. “Why are you here?” he asked sternly. “Why aren’t you behaving yourselves in the sea?”

The Long Dragon bravely stepped forward. “Your Majesty, the crops on earth are withering. Please, we beg you to send rain.”

The Jade Emperor, pretending to care, waved his hand. “Go back now. I’ll send rain tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” the dragons replied, feeling hopeful as they returned to the sea.

But many days passed, and still, no rain fell. The people were suffering more than ever. Some were so desperate that they were eating tree bark and grass, and when that ran out, they had nothing left to eat but white clay. Seeing this, the four dragons were filled with sorrow. They realized that the Jade Emperor did not truly care about the people. They knew they had to act on their own to help.

The Long Dragon suddenly had an idea. “The sea is full of water! What if we take water from the sea and spray it into the sky? It will fall like raindrops and save the crops.”

“That's a great idea!” said the other dragons, clapping their hands. But then the Long Dragon hesitated.

“If the Jade Emperor finds out, we might be punished.”

“I don’t care if we get in trouble,” said the Yellow Dragon firmly. “The people need us.”

“Let’s do it,” agreed the Long Dragon, and the Black Dragon and Pearl Dragon nodded.

Together, the four dragons flew to the sea, scooped up as much water as they could in their mouths, and flew high into the sky. They sprayed the water across the dry land, making the sky dark with clouds. Soon, the sea water began falling like rain.

“It’s raining! It’s raining!” the people cheered, dancing with joy. The crops lifted their heads, and the earth soaked in the much-needed water.

However, the Sea God soon noticed what the dragons were doing and quickly told the Jade Emperor. “How dare the four dragons bring rain without my permission!” the Jade Emperor thundered in anger. He ordered his generals to capture the dragons.

The dragons were outnumbered and could not defend themselves. They were brought before the Jade Emperor, who was furious. “Bring four mountains to trap them!” he commanded the Mountain God.

The Mountain God used his magic to make four large mountains fly through the air. The mountains came down with a mighty crash, trapping each dragon beneath its weight.

But even as they lay imprisoned, the four dragons did not regret what they had done. They had saved the people, and that was all that mattered.

“We will continue to help the people,” said the Long Dragon, “even from beneath these mountains.”

The four dragons, with all their strength, transformed themselves into rivers. These rivers flowed across mountains and valleys, from the west to the east, bringing water and life to the land.

And so, China’s four great rivers were formed: the Heilongjian (Black Dragon) in the north, the Huanghe (Yellow Dragon) in the center, the Changjiang (Long Dragon) farther south, and the Zhujiang (Pearl Dragon) in the far south.

The dragons’ kindness was remembered forever, for they had taught the people that true strength comes from helping others, no matter the cost.