In the seventh month of the third year of the Ch'ih-wu era, under the Emperor Ta Ti of the Wu dynasty, there was a certain young herbalist named Wang Shuh. He lived in a little village at the foot of Tien Tai mountain where he would spend many hours gathering medicinal herbs. One hot summer day, Wang Shuh decided to climb Tien Tai and search for the elusive Red Cloud herb. He had heard the legends that this was the dragon herb, strong and powerful. If he could find the Red Cloud herb, he could increase his reputation and become successful. The day grew hot as Wang Shuh followed the course of a stream up the mountain. When the sun was directly overhead, he decided to rest beneath the shade of a tree that grew beside the pool of a waterfall. After satisfying his hunger with rice cakes, he lay on the grassy bank and gazed into the clear water. To his astonishment, he spied a blue boy, a foot in length, in the water. The boy held a blue rush in his hand and rode on the back of a red carp. The carp swam to the surface and with the blue boy still on his back rose into the air. Once high in the sky, they turned towards the East and entered a large cloud, slowly vanishing from sight. Wang Shuh rubbed his eyes. Had he fallen asleep? Was it a dream? The sky was now empty save for the large cloud; nothing remained of the blue boy astride the red carp. He stood, brushed the leaves from his clothes and decided to continue his search for the Red Cloud herb. When he reached the summit of the mountain, he looked in all four directions; first south, then west, then north, then east to the sea. As he faced East, a wind arose. Suddenly, the once blue sky darkened with great masses of black and yellow clouds. A thunderstorm began brewing over the Eastern Sea. He peered intently at the clouds. Slowly his eyes could perceive the boy and the carp again. He watched as they started to transform. Aiyeee! Wang Shuh realized that the blue boy riding on the red carp was none other than the thunder dragon, Black Kiao. His alarm increasing, Wang Shuh trembled as a monumental thunderstorm broke forth. Quickly, he dove into the hollow of an old tree. No sooner had he done so, the storm burst into a most glorious fury. Wang Shuh froze in terror when the voice of the black thunder dragon bellowed. His eyes bulged in fear when the dragon's fiery tongue sent white flashes of light across the heavens. Rain fell in torrents and roared down the mountainside swelling the mountain stream to a raging river. Wang Shuh cried. He would never again see his family and friends! Surely, he was doomed to die on this mountaintop. Each flash of lightning, each roar of thunder - Wang felt was his last breathing moment. In time, the storm eased and the sky cleared. Wang Shuh crept forth from the hollow tree, shaking but still breathing. He was thankful to have survived the storm. He set out at once back down the mountain. As he drew near to the same waterfall, he heard the sound of sweet music, like a humming song. Peering through the trees, he beheld the Black Kiao again, but as the little blue boy riding on the red carp. They had returned from the eastern sky to the waterfall pool. One moment they were resting on the surface and the next moment the red carp carried the blue boy down into the watery depths and disappeared. At first, fear renewed itself in Wang Shuh's heart. He was unable to move. At length, however, he summoned sufficient curiosity so that his courage returned. After all, the boy and the carp had vanished completely. He drew close to pool and sat again on the bank. When he was satisfied that the boy and the carp were gone, he turned his gaze to the serene surroundings around him. Ah! There growing on the water's edge was the Red Cloud herb. He was sure it had not been there this morning. He quickly gathered all that he could carry and hurried back down the mountainside. His happiness was so great on returning to his village, and at finding the Red Cloud herb, Wang Shuh invited friends and neighbors to his home where he entertained them all with the story of his grand adventures. It also happened in the seventh month of the third year of the Ch'ih-wu era, that the beautiful daughter of the Emperor Ta Ti became ill and lay for days on end in her bed. It was in vain that the court physicians endeavored to restore her health. The Emperor spent sleepless nights worryed about his sickly daughter. Emissaries were sent throughout the land in search of a cure. Hearing of a great herbalist, Wang Shuh, and his discovery of the Red Cloud herb, one of these emissaries found Wang Shuh and solicited his services. On reaching the palace, Wang Shuh was addressed by the Emperor himself, who said: “Is my minster correct, that you have seen the Black Kiao in the form of a little blue boy riding on a red carp?” “It is indeed true, your Majesty." Wang Shuh bowed as he answered. “And is it true that you have found the dragon herb that sprang up during the thunderstorm?” “Yes, your Majesty. I have brought the Red Cloud with me.” “Excellent," the Emperor said. “Perhaps it will restore my daughter's health. The court physicians will aid you in any manner you request.” Wang Shuh bowed again and was led straightaway to the chamber of the sick princess. He approached the bed where she lay. Her skin was pale, her hair lifeless and dull, her countenance was that of deep sleep with shallow breath. Wang Shuh knew there was precious little time left. He went to work quickly. He plucked a leaf of the Red Cloud and held it under the girl's nose. The herb had a sweet odor that filled the chamber. Almost immediately the princess was noted to stir - a good omen. Wang Shuh then made a medicine from the herb, which he administered to the princess. She showed signs of increasing vigor. Day after day with additional doses of the Red Cloud medicine, the princess grew strong and healthy again. Wang Shuh was honored for saving the life of the young princess. He was appointed Chief Physician to the Royal Court of the Emperor Ta Ti of the Wu dynasty in the eighth month of the third year of the Ch'ih-wu era, to the benefit of many people for many years thereafter. Source for story: Chinese Mythology A to Z, page 11. Note: The Legend of the Carp says that a carp, able to leap over the mythical Dragon Gate, will become a dragon. Many have sought out the true location of this Gate, but none have found it. Several waterfalls and cataracts in China are believed to be the location of the Dragon Gate. This legend is an allegory for the drive and effort needed to overcome obstacles. Table coding by Laurels Curius