Dragon with a difference

According to the lunar calendar, this is the Year of the Dragon. It signifies power, ambition and success. It also signifies something rather special. Read on.

Dragons are immense mythical monsters, reptile-like, with four, two or no claws, breathing out fire and smoke, and eating children and maidens!

There are two types of dragons, European and Chinese. The European dragon is winged whereas the Chinese is not. In some cultures, dragons are held in great respect. They are believed to combine the forces of nature and mysticism. They are also supposed to be wise, possess magical powers and have long life.

The Chinese zodiac has twelve signs – Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Of these, the Dragon is the most important. It signifies power, ambition and success. This is the year of the Dragon.

According to legend, there was once a dragon that greatly troubled the Chinese. By an odd chance, it was discovered that the dragon was frightened of the colour red. So the Chinese started to hang red cloth at windows and entrances to frighten away the dragon. The custom continues to this day.

Here is a story about a dragon that was different.

There was once a poor man in China who earned a living by doing odd jobs. He would go around with his tool kit, mending things for people.

One day, he found an abandoned baby dragon. He took it home and raised it, showering it with care and affection. After some time, the dragon grew so large that it could not be kept at home. So the man shifted it to a huge cave in the Northern Mountain. “Now that you are able to look after yourself, I will leave you here,” said the man and bid it good-bye. Here it grew strong and frightening. A ginseng plant grew at the mouth of the cave. Now this plant had powerful healing properties. But nobody dared to go near it because of the fierce dragon. The emperor got to hear of it. He also came to know that the poor, odd-job man had taken care of the dragon when it was a baby. He sent for the poor man and ordered him to get the ginseng plant. “Otherwise, I will have you beheaded,” he threatened.

What was the poor man to do? He went up to the cave to meet the dragon. The dragon welcomed him and asked, “How have you been?” The poor man answered, “Well enough,” in a tone that lacked conviction. The dragon wanted to know what was worrying the poor man. “The emperor wants the ginseng plant. If he doesn’t get it, he will behead me. When you were a baby, with no one to care for you, I took you home and looked after you. If you let me take the ginseng plant, I will be saved.”

Now the dragon was a grateful creature. It did appreciate what the poor man had done for it. So it allowed the poor man to take the ginseng plant. The poor man thanked the dragon profusely and left. The pleased emperor heaped riches on the poor man. He could now lead an extremely comfortable life.

Some years later, the emperor’s wife, the empress, got a rare eye disease and went blind. The emperor was informed that a touch from the dragon’s eye would restore his queen’s sight. The emperor summoned the poor-man-turned-rich and said, “Bring me the dragon’s eye as quick as you can. Otherwise, I will have you beheaded.” It wasn’t a pleasant prospect . So the now-well-to-do man went to the dragon. He reminded it of all that he had done for it in its infancy. “In return for all that I did for you, please let me have one of your eyes.” The loyal dragon agreed and gave him what he wanted.

The emperor was so impressed that he made the man a minister. He began to lead a life of ease and luxury. He had become a very important person and power went to his head. He became greedy and grasping. He turned arrogant, selfish, cruel and insensitive. He wanted more power and more wealth. He thought what an invaluable treasure the dragon’s eye was and how useful it would be to him.

He set off to the Northern Mountain.  He was absolutely sure that when reminded of the love and care bestowed on it when it was a helpless baby, the grateful dragon would have no hesitation in giving up the second eye. But calculations do sometimes go wrong.

With great confidence, the man went up to the dragon and demanded the other eye, not failing to mention how much it was beholden to him. The dragon nodded sadly, as if to say, “What choice have I? I must repay my debt.” When the man approached the dragon for the second eye, the dragon opened its mouth in a wide yawn. It then swallowed whole the unsuspecting man.

There was only so much the man could ask for in return for his good service. The dragon had had enough of being reminded of his obligations. There was a limit to the gratitude expected!