The Farmer and the Serpent
In a remote mountain village, there is an honest farmer named Ah Cheng. Although his life was poor, he was hardworking, kind, and helpful. Ah Cheng farms and raises poultry for a living, and his farmland is always well organized, and the poultry is fattened and fat. However, in recent years, there has always been a situation of food being stolen in his granary, which makes Ah Cheng distressed.
One day, Ah Cheng sat on the ridge to rest after working in the fields. Suddenly, he found a wounded snake lying not far away. The snake's scales were stained with blood, apparently in the light of some misfortune. Although Cheng has some fear of snakes, his kindness makes it impossible for him to ignore the injured creatures.
"What's wrong with you, little one?" asked Cheng softly as he cautiously approached the snake.
The snake seemed to be human, and raised its head slightly, as if asking Ah Cheng for help. Feeling compassion, Ah Cheng found herbs, carefully applied them to the snake's wound, and brought it back to his hut to take care of it.
After a few days, the snake's wound healed, and it seemed to have developed a deep affection for Ah Cheng and was reluctant to leave. Ah Cheng was also used to the days of being with snakes, and he even gave the snake a name - Xiaoqing.
"Xiaoqing, can you understand me?" Ah Cheng often asked Xiao Qing this, and Xiao Qing always responded in a way that gently spit out a letter or wrapped it around Ah Cheng's arm.
One day, Ah Cheng found that a lot of food in the granary had been stolen and eaten. Angry and helpless, he squatted at the door of the granary and sulked. Xiaoqing seemed to sense Ah Cheng's troubles, and slowly crawled to his side, gently rubbing his head against him.
"Alas, Xiaoqing, Xiaoqing, if only you could help me find these thieves. Cheng said half-jokingly.
To Ah Cheng's surprise, Xiaoqing seemed to understand his words and slowly swam towards the granary. It didn't take long for Ah Cheng to hear the sound of rustling in the granary, and then he saw Xiaoqing crawling out of the granary with a few fat rats.
"Oh my God, how did you do that?" exclaimed.
Since then, Xiaoqing has become Ah Cheng's right-hand man, sneaking into the granary every night to catch the rats that try to steal the grain. The grain in the granary has never been reduced, and Ah Cheng is grateful to Xiaoqing.
However, the good times were short-lived. The people of the village began to spread that Ah Cheng's family had a magical snake that could catch mice. Some people envy, others envy. One night, a smug villager sneaks into Ah Cheng's home while he is asleep in an attempt to capture Xiaoqing.
Xiaoqing sensed the danger, but instead of fleeing, she chose to protect Ah Cheng's home. When the villager reached out to catch Xiaoqing, Xiaoqing sprang up and opened his mouth, revealing his sharp fangs. The villagers were so frightened that they crawled and fled.
Ah Cheng was woken up, saw that Xiaoqing was safe and sound, and hugged it gratefully: "Thank you, Xiaoqing." You're such a good friend of mine. ”
Since then, Xiaoqing has not only helped Ah Cheng catch mice, but also become his loyal caretaker. The story of Ah Cheng and Xiaoqing also spread throughout the village and became a good story.
However, as winter approached, Xiaoqing began to prepare for hibernation. Ah Cheng prepared a warm nest for it, but his heart was full of reluctance.
"Xiaoqing, you must hibernate well, and we will meet again next spring. Ah Cheng gently stroked Xiaoqing and said.
Xiaoqing seemed to understand Ah Cheng's words, and slowly wrapped his arm, as if saying goodbye.
Throughout the winter, Ah Cheng missed Xiaoqing very much. He often went to check on Xiaoqing's lair to make sure it was safe and sound. Whenever in the dead of night, he would think of Xiaoqing's scene catching mice, and those warm pictures filled his heart with anticipation.
Spring is finally here, and Ah Cheng can't wait to come to Xiaoqing's lair. He cautiously opened the door of the lair, only to see that Xiaoqing had woken up and was entrenched in the lair, his eyes revealing kindness and expectation.
"Xiaoqing!" Ah Cheng shouted excitedly.
Xiaoqing also seemed happy to see Ah Cheng again, and it slowly crawled out of the nest and wrapped around Ah Cheng's arm. At that moment, Ah Cheng felt extremely happy and satisfied.
With the arrival of spring, life in the village has returned to its former busyness. Xiaoqing also resumed its mouse-catching duties, and there was no trace of rats in the granary. The villagers praised Ah Cheng for raising a good snake, and Ah Cheng always smiled and did not speak, but he was proud to have a friend like Xiaoqing in his heart.
However, the calm days did not last long. One day, a group of strangers came to the village, claiming to be snake catchers, who specialized in catching rare snakes and selling them for money. They heard that Ah Cheng's family had a spirit snake that could catch mice, so they came to the door and wanted to buy Xiaoqing at a high price.
Ah Cheng resolutely rejected them: "Xiaoqing is my friend, I will never sell it!"
When the snake catchers saw Ah Cheng's resolute attitude, they left in a huff. But Ah Cheng knew that they wouldn't stop there. In order to protect Xiaoqing, Ah Cheng decided to strengthen the defense of his home and always be vigilant about the movements around him.
Sure enough, one night not long after, snake catchers sneaked into Ah Cheng's home again. This time, they brought more professional snake catching tools in an attempt to forcibly capture Xiaoqing. Ah Cheng immediately got up to check after hearing the movement, but found that Xiaoqing had disappeared.
"Xiaoqing!" Ah Cheng cried out anxiously.
At that moment, he suddenly heard a scream from outside the house. Ah Cheng hurriedly ran out to check, only to see that the snake catchers had fled the scene in embarrassment, and Xiaoqing was wrapped around a person's neck, and his fangs had pierced into his skin.
"Xiaoqing!" Ah Cheng exclaimed.
Xiaoqing heard Ah Cheng's shout, slowly let go of the person, and crawled back to Ah Cheng's side. Ah Cheng hugged Xiaoqing tightly: "Thank you, Xiaoqing." You saved me again. ”
After this incident, Ah Cheng cherished his friendship with Xiaoqing even more. He knew that Xiaoqing was not only an ordinary snake, but also a loyal friend and guardian. And Xiaoqing also seems to be more dependent on Ah Cheng, whenever he returns from work, Xiaoqing will always wrap around his arm, as if telling his thoughts and concerns for him.
As time passed, the story of Ah Cheng and Xiaoqing spread even more magically in the village. Some people say that Xiaoqing was a snake fairy who came down to bless Ah Cheng, and some people say that Ah Cheng must have been a great good person in his previous life, so he can be blessed by Xiaoqing in this life. But Ah Cheng knows that no matter what the outside world says, the friendship between him and Xiaoqing is real and deep.
However, the good times did not last long, and Ah Cheng found that Xiaoqing's physical condition began to deteriorate. It eats less and moves less. Ah Cheng was so anxious that he sought medical advice everywhere, but to no avail. In the end, Xiaoqing left peacefully in Ah Cheng's arms.
Grief-stricken, Ah Cheng held a simple funeral for Xiaoqing and buried it on the ridge where they met. Whenever spring comes, the most beautiful flowers will always bloom on the ridges, as if telling the eternal friendship and story between Ah Cheng and Xiaoqing......
Legend of the Spirit Snake
Since Xiaoqing's death, Ah Cheng's life seems to have lost its color. He worked silently in the fields every day, no longer greeting the villagers warmly as before. The villagers knew that he had lost his best friend, but they all silently supported him and did not disturb his grief.
However, one day, a mysterious stranger arrives in the village. He claimed to be a wandering Taoist priest who heard the story of Ah Cheng and Xiaoqing, and came to explore it. The Taoist priest told Cheng that he might have a way to resurrect Xiaoqing, but that would cost Cheng a lot.
When Ah Cheng heard the news, a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes. He did not hesitate to agree to the Taoist priest's conditions, as long as Xiaoqing could be resurrected, he was willing to give everything.
The Taoist priest gave Ah Cheng a mysterious charm and told him that as long as the charm was pasted on Xiaoqing's grave and a mysterious spell was recited, Xiaoqing could be resurrected. But the Taoist priest also warned Ah Cheng that the process was fraught with unknown dangers, and that if he failed, he could pay with his life.
Ah Cheng took the charm and came to Xiaoqing's grave with a nervous mood. He took a deep breath, attached the charm to the grave, and began to recite the incantation. As the incantation is pronounced, the surroundings begin to change. The wind began to howl, thunder and lightning, as if the whole world was trembling.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning split Xiaoqing's grave, and a green light rushed out of the grave and soared into the sky. Ah Cheng looked at the sky nervously, only to see the green light gradually dissipate, and Xiaoqing's figure reappeared in front of him.
"Xiaoqing!" Ah Cheng shouted excitedly.
Xiaoqing seemed to remember Ah Cheng, and it slowly crawled towards Ah Cheng and wrapped it around his arm. Ah Cheng hugged Xiaoqing tightly, tears coming out of his eyes. He knew that he had paid a great price, but he had also gained the most precious friendship.
However, the Taoist priest's warnings were not empty words. After resurrecting Xiaoqing, Ah Cheng's body began to gradually weaken. His face was haggard and his body was emaciated, as if life was being gradually sucked away by some mysterious force. The villagers persuaded Ah Cheng to give up Xiaoqing, but Ah Cheng firmly refused.
"I'd rather sacrifice myself to keep Xiaoqing alive. Ah Cheng said firmly.
Xiaoqing also seemed to notice Ah Cheng's changes, and it often wrapped around Ah Cheng's side, as if comforting him in its own way. Ah Cheng always smiled and stroked Xiaoqing's head and told it not to worry.
As time went on, Ah Cheng's health got worse and worse. He became bedridden, but he still insisted on communicating with Xiaoqing every day and sharing each other's thoughts. He knew that his time was running out, but he hoped to leave more memories for Xiaoqing in this limited time.
Finally, one day, Ah Cheng felt that his life had come to an end. He held Xiaoqing's hand tightly (if the snake had a hand, it was personified here to express emotion), and whispered, "Xiaoqing, I'm leaving." You have to live well and protect this village for me. ”
Xiaoqing seemed to understand Ah Cheng's words, and it wrapped around Ah Cheng's arm tightly, as if to say a final goodbye to him. Cheng smiled and closed his eyes, his hand still holding the yellowed spell. That is the eternal bond and memory between him and Xiaoqing.
After Ah Cheng passed away, the villagers held a grand funeral for him. Xiaoqing has also been guarding his grave, as if guarding the memories between them. Whenever spring comes, Xiaoqing will climb to Ah Cheng's grave and quietly accompany him through every spring.
And the story about Ah Cheng and Xiaoqing has also been passed down in the village and has become an eternal legend. It is known that Ah Cheng paid a huge price for friendship, but he also gained the most sincere emotions and memories. His story inspires everyone to cherish the friendship and family around them and pursue their dreams and happiness.
As the years passed, Xiaoqing gradually became the patron saint of the village. It often roams the fields to catch pests and rats that try to destroy crops. The villagers also revere it very much, and often offer it food and incense.
However, one day, a group of strangers came to the village, armed with snake traps, trying to capture Xiaoqing. Xiaoqing nimbly evaded their pursuit, but it didn't hurt anyone. In the end, Xiaoqing hid in the mountains and never appeared again.
The villagers know that Xiaoqing has left them, but the legends and stories it left behind will live on in people's hearts forever. Whenever spring comes, the most beautiful flowers will always bloom on the ridges, as if telling the eternal friendship and story between Ah Cheng and Xiaoqing...... And those who had tried to capture Xiaoqing also left, they were shocked by Xiaoqing's wisdom and courage, and no longer had any intentions for it.
The story of Ah Cheng and Xiaoqing has become an eternal legend that has been passed down from generation to generation in the village. Their stories inspire everyone to cherish the friendships around them and pursue their dreams and happiness. And the flowers on that ridge are also blooming every year, as if witnessing the eternal friendship and story between them......
Nowadays, when night falls, the moonlight shines on every corner of the village, and people seem to be able to see the figures of Ah Cheng and Xiaoqing wandering in the fields. Their stories, like the flowers that bloom every year on the ridges, will never wither and bloom in people's hearts.