九色鹿

Nine-Color Deer

Long long ago , in the Kunlun Mountain lived a nine-color deer. Its fur was made up of seven different colorful patches. The antlers stood on the top of its head, so white and so fair. The deer looked heavenly.

One day, the Nine-Color Deer was roaming by the river, in the distance came a sound, ‘Help help, Somebody help me!”

It was a young man holding onto a floating trunk, struggling to keep afloat.He cried out desperately. The Nine-Color Deer dashed toward him and rescued him out of the water.

“I am grateful to you. My name is TiaoDa. What can I do to pay my gratitude?” The man asked.

The deer shook its head and replied:
“Keep my secret. Don’t tell anyone about this incident. This would be my best reward.”

The young man placed his right hand on his heart and solemnly swore:
“I promise I will never give away your whereabouts. Or dangerous fate would befall me.”

Then he went back home.

Ony day, the queen dreamed of a deer of nine colors. Upon waking up she demanded: I want to make clothes out of the beautiful fur of the nine-color deer. Your majesty, please grant my wish.

The King loved his queen dearly, so he sent notices throughout the country. Anyone who can produce this deer would be generously rewarded. Seeing the notice,Tiao Da ran to the palace.He addressed the king:
Your majesty, I know where the nine color deer is. I will lead the way. The King was very pleased. Soon he summoned his troops and they set off. With Tiao Da showing the way, the King’s troops arrived at the KunLun Mountain. The Nine-Color Deer was taking a nap under a tree. when the deer woke up,it found itself surrounded by lots of people with weapons. The deer looked around hopelessly and spotted Tiao Da. It turned to the King,
”I rescued this man out of a dangerous river. This is how he pays me back by betraying me. I am shocked.”

At this,the King commanded that no one should hurt the Nine-Color Deer. The king’s troops took leave, and the deer stayed in the forest. You may wonder what happened to Tiao Da? Well, He was thrown into the river. This time, who would help him?