The Dragon King's Rain

Beneath the eastern sea lived the Dragon King, Ao Guang, master of the waters and bringer of rain. By the law of Heaven, no rain might fall except at the Jade Emperor's decree.

One year a drought gripped the mortal lands. The rivers cracked, the rice paddies turned to dust, and the people prayed at empty shrines. The Dragon King heard their weeping from his palace of pearl and coral.

He begged the Jade Emperor for permission to send rain, but the celestial court delayed and debated while below the children starved. At last the dragon could bear it no longer. He rose into the storm-clouds and loosed the rain himself, against the law.

The land drank deep and turned green again. But Heaven does not forgive disobedience lightly. The Jade Emperor imprisoned the Dragon King beneath a great mountain, to be freed only when the people repaid his kindness.

So the villagers gathered every grain of golden rice they could spare and offered it up in thanks, year after year, until Heaven relented. And to this day, they say, offerings of rice to the Dragon King ensure the rains return.