The Mulberry Guardian

Tales of China - Nov 11, 2023 - Folklore / Monster / Courage
Post on:Nov 11, 2023|Last edited: Nov 11, 2023|
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Once upon a time, in Xinjiang, there lived a shepherd with his wife and clever 8-year-old daughter. The shepherd also had a horse, a dog, and a rooster. Around their house, fruit trees were planted, and when the trees started to bear fruit, the shepherd took out some mulberry seeds. He called his wife aside and whispered, "These are mulberry seeds left by my parents. Plant them in a hidden spot among the fruit trees. Mulberry wood is precious; weapons made from it can ward off evil spirits. Be aware that there is a black monster specifically targeting mulberry seedlings, so be cautious and vigilant." In just a few years, the mulberry seeds grew into sturdy trees, bringing joy to the shepherd's family. However, they were constantly worried about the black monster causing trouble and remained vigilant.
One day, when the shepherd was not at home, the black monster sneaked in to pull up the mulberry trees. The dog barked, the rooster crowed, and the shepherd's wife fiercely protected the mulberry trees, instructing the horse to find the shepherd. By the time the shepherd rushed back, his wife had been abducted by the black monster, and several branches of the mulberry tree were cut. Enraged, the shepherd intended to chase the black monster, but considering the mulberry tree's importance, he knew the monster wouldn't give up. So, the shepherd guarded the mulberry tree, waiting for the black monster.
Before long, the black monster returned. The dog barked, the rooster crowed, and the shepherd used an axe against the monster. However, the axe bounced back. The shepherd then grabbed a mulberry tree branch pulled out by the black monster and struck it. The black monster shivered and ran away. That day, the shepherd made bows and arrows from the mulberry tree. When the black monster returned, the shepherd used the mulberry wood arrows to shoot it, causing the monster to flee wounded. The shepherd's wife, abducted by the monster, was dearly missed by their daughter. Once, as the girl stood by the mulberry tree, her tears fell onto the leaves, turning into silkworms. Shortly after, the silkworms spun silk, and the girl wove a beautiful fabric.
The next year, when the black monster returned, it used magic to make rocks and sand strike the shepherd's mulberry tree, house, and fruit trees. It even breathed fire to burn the mulberry wood. The shepherd shot the black monster in the chest with a mulberry wood arrow, making it retreat. The shepherd, riding his horse, pursued; the girl, with her dog, sat on the silk fabric she wove, and the rooster crowed, all flying. They reached a cave where the black monster entered. The shepherd followed, shooting several arrows until the monster fell dead. The daughter found her mother locked in a cage. After the shepherd's family reunited, they lived a sweet life, planting mulberries, raising silkworms, tending sheep, and weaving silk.
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