A mysterious storm, a princess held captive in a mountain cave and a monstrous bird with nine heads set the stage for an extraordinary adventure. When a young man discovers that the king’s daughter has disappeared, he becomes determined to rescue her. However, reaching her hiding place requires courage, and returning home proves even more difficult.
Along the way, he encounters strange creatures, discovers magical treasures and forms an unexpected friendship. Yet his greatest challenge comes not from the supernatural beings he meets but from another human being who attempts to steal the reward for his bravery.
The Princess’s Mysterious Disappearance
Long ago, a king and queen lived with their only daughter. The princess enjoyed spending time in the royal garden, where she could walk among its peaceful surroundings. One day, however, a terrible storm suddenly swept across the land. Before anyone could protect her, a monstrous bird carried her away.
The creature had nine heads and possessed extraordinary strength. It took the princess to a cave hidden high within a steep rock wall.
When the king discovered that his daughter had vanished, he became desperate. He searched everywhere and eventually made a public announcement throughout the kingdom. Whoever rescued the princess and brought her home would receive her hand in marriage.
The Young Man’s Rescue Plan
A young man had witnessed the bird carrying the princess away. He knew where the creature had taken her, although he had no way of reaching the cave.
The cave stood halfway up a sheer rock face. Nobody could climb to it from below or descend to it safely from above. The young man walked around the enormous rock, searching for a possible entrance.
While he was searching, another young man approached him and asked what he was doing. The first youth explained everything he had witnessed, including the princess’s abduction and the bird’s hidden cave.
The newcomer understood that they needed assistance. He gathered several companions, and together they devised a plan. They prepared a basket and lowered the young man towards the cave using ropes.
When the basket reached the entrance, the youth climbed out and entered the cave.
The Defeat of the Nine-Headed Bird
Inside, he found the king’s daughter tending to the monstrous bird. She was washing and treating a terrible wound on its body. The creature had once possessed ten heads, but the Hound of Heaven had bitten off one of them. The remaining nine heads were still alive, and blood continued to flow from the wound.
The princess noticed the stranger and quickly signalled for him to hide. He understood her warning and concealed himself before the bird could discover his presence.
After she had finished washing and bandaging the wound, the bird settled down. Its nine heads gradually grew sleepy until every one of them had fallen asleep.
The young man seized the opportunity. He emerged from his hiding place, drew his sword and cut off all nine heads.
The princess was finally free from her captor.
The Princess Escapes, but Betrayal Follows
The young man suggested that they use the basket to return to the ground. The princess advised him to climb up first so that she could follow him safely.
He refused and insisted that she should leave before him.
Before entering the basket, the princess removed a long hairpin from her hair. She broke it into two pieces, giving one half to the young man and keeping the other. She also divided her silk handkerchief and gave him one half.
She explained that he should keep both gifts carefully because they would serve as proof of their meeting.
The princess climbed into the basket, and her companions began pulling her towards the top of the rock.
Unfortunately, the man who had organised the rescue had other intentions. Once the princess reached the top, he took her away and abandoned the young man inside the cave.
The young man shouted and pleaded for help, but nobody returned.
The Mysterious Fish Inside the Cave
Left alone, the young man began exploring the cave. There he discovered several young women whom the monstrous bird had previously abducted. Sadly, they had all died of hunger while imprisoned.
As he continued looking around, he noticed a fish hanging on the wall. Four nails held it in place. Curious, he touched it, and something extraordinary happened.
The fish transformed into a handsome young man.
The stranger thanked him for setting him free. They spoke together and agreed to become brothers.
The Dragon and the Magical Stones
Before long, hunger troubled the young rescuer. He went outside the cave to search for something to eat but found nothing except stones.
Then he noticed an enormous dragon licking one of the stones. The young man imitated the creature and discovered that the stones could satisfy his hunger.
Afterwards, he asked the dragon how he could escape from the cave. The dragon nodded towards its tail, inviting him to climb onto it.
The young man accepted the offer. In an instant, the dragon carried him down to the ground and disappeared.
The Discovery of the Magical Pearls
As he continued his journey, the young man discovered a tortoise shell filled with beautiful pearls. These were no ordinary pearls. They possessed magical powers.
When thrown into a fire, a pearl could extinguish the flames. When thrown into water, it could divide the water and create a passage through which someone could walk.
Realising their value, the young man collected the pearls and placed them in his pocket.
Eventually, he reached the seashore. Remembering the pearls’ unusual powers, he threw one into the water. Immediately, the sea divided, revealing the world beneath it.
The Dragon’s Underwater Kingdom
A sea dragon appeared and demanded to know who had disturbed its kingdom.
The young man explained how he had discovered the pearls inside a tortoise shell and used one to open a passage through the sea.
The dragon invited him to enter its underwater kingdom and live there.
As they travelled together, the young man recognised the creature. It was the same dragon he had encountered outside the cave. He also discovered that the handsome youth who had become his brother was actually the dragon’s son.
The old dragon was delighted to learn that the young man had rescued his son and formed a brotherly bond with him.
He welcomed the young man into his underwater home, where he received food, wine and generous hospitality.
The Gift of the Magic Gourd
One day, the dragon’s son advised his new brother about the reward his father would offer him. He warned him not to request money or precious jewels. Instead, he encouraged him to ask for a small gourd flask that possessed extraordinary powers.
The flask could provide whatever its owner desired.
When the old dragon eventually asked what reward he wanted, the young man followed his friend’s advice. He rejected the offer of money and jewels and requested only the little gourd flask.
The dragon hesitated because he did not want to part with such a valuable object. Nevertheless, he eventually agreed and gave it to him.
The young man thanked his hosts and left the underwater kingdom.
The Magic Gourd Makes Every Wish Possible
Once he reached dry land, the young man became hungry. Remembering his magical gift, he wished for food. Immediately, a table appeared before him, covered with a generous meal.
He ate until he was satisfied and continued his journey.
After walking for some time, he became tired and wished for a donkey. One appeared, and he climbed onto its back.
However, the animal’s uneven movement soon made him uncomfortable. He then wished for a wagon, which appeared almost immediately.
The wagon was not comfortable enough either. He therefore imagined how much better a litter would be.
Before long, a litter appeared, carried by bearers who transported him towards the city where the king, queen and princess lived.
The Impostor Claims the Reward
Meanwhile, the other young man had already returned with the princess. The king was delighted to have his daughter back and began preparing for her wedding to the supposed rescuer.
But the princess refused to marry him.
She insisted that the man standing before her was not the person who had saved her. She explained that her true rescuer would arrive carrying half of her hairpin and half of her silk handkerchief.
The impostor had neither of these objects.
At first, the king waited patiently for the missing young man. However, as time passed and the other youth continued demanding the marriage, the king grew impatient.
He finally declared that the wedding would take place the following day.
The Princess Recognises Her True Rescuer
The princess became distressed. She knew that her true rescuer might still be alive, but she had no idea where to find him.
She left the palace and began searching through the city streets.
On that very day, the young man arrived in his magical litter.
As he passed through the city, the princess noticed the half of her silk handkerchief in his hand. Overjoyed, she recognised him immediately and led him to her father.
The king asked the young man to produce the other half of the hairpin. When he presented it, the princess’s piece fitted perfectly.
The Truth Is Finally Revealed
The truth was finally established.
The king realised that the young man before him was the person who had rescued his daughter. The impostor’s deception was exposed, and he received punishment for his actions.
The princess was reunited with her true rescuer, and their wedding was celebrated.
At last, they lived together in peace and happiness for the remainder of their days.
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Moral Lessons
The story teaches that courage and determination can help people overcome difficult challenges. The young man risked his life to rescue the princess, showing the importance of bravery.
It also reminds us that honesty is better than deceit. Although the young man’s companion took credit for his achievement, the truth eventually came to light.
Finally, the tale highlights the value of kindness and loyalty. The young man’s kindness to the trapped fish brought him unexpected help, while the princess’s faithfulness helped expose the impostor.
Knowledge Check
1. What carried the princess away from the royal garden?
A terrible storm sent by the monstrous bird carried her away.
2. Why did the princess treat the bird’s wound?
She was being held captive in its cave and tended to its injury.
3. How did the young man reach the cave?
His companions lowered him towards the cave in a basket.
4. What two objects did the princess give the young man as proof of their meeting?
She gave him half of her hairpin and half of her silk handkerchief.
5. What magical reward did the young man request from the old dragon?
He requested a little gourd flask that could provide whatever its owner desired.
6. How did the princess identify her true rescuer?
She recognised the half of her silk handkerchief and confirmed his identity when he presented the matching half of her hairpin.
Source
The Bird with Nine Heads appears as Chapter VII in The Chinese Fairy Book, edited by Richard Wilhelm and translated into English by Frederick H. Martens. Published in 1921, the collection preserves this traditional Chinese fairy tale.
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