INTREPID HAGEN RESCUES THE RAVEN PRINCE ARATHORN

 

There was once a handsome, brave, strapping young man named Hagen, of about nineteen years of age, with long blond hair and brilliant blue eyes like the sky on a clear day. He knew how to read and write, as his retired scholar father had taken pains to educate him at home; meanwhile, his mother the healer, had passed on to him her knowledge about the traditional herbal medicines. Hagen always had a wild imagination and since childhood he’d read copious (abundant, profuse) fantasy books; he was additionally interested in anything pertaining to supernatural and rather enjoyed dabbling in old sorts of magic.

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Hagen unfortunately lost his parents to fever about four years ago and since he had no other relatives, he continued to live alone in the wooden cabin, halfway down the mountain that had its summit permanently shrouded in snow and ice. Hagen was a resourceful young man who made a pretty good living by hunting and foraging in the woods for rare medicinal herbs and roots, then selling these pelts (furs) and the dried herbs at the nearby town.  

It so happened that one ordinary day at dusk a traveller cloaked in black, just happened to be passing through the mountain; fortuitously, his path crossed Hagen’s, who’d spent the day collecting specific herbs and rare medicinal roots, which filled the bucket on his back to the brim.

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The traveller who’d introduced himself as Adelram (meaning, dark and noble), professed that he was actually a spiritualist (choosing not to say a sorcerer) on his way to the Ingolf Temple; unfortunately, he’d temporarily lost his way. Ingolf Temple was a place of great interest to Hagen as he’d once heard his father mention it to his mother, with great reverence. When Hagen later inquired about it, suspecting that his father might have once been a member of that sect or something else, his father had drawn a long face, then in a stern voice he’d vehemently denied knowing anything about it, and furthermore, irritably had admonished (rebuked) his son to never mention that name Ingolf, ever again. Hagen could not let it go however, and after pestering his mother, she’d secretly imparted to him the only fact she knew, that this was a secret sect that was very exclusive, and its location was quite mysterious. Now chancing on this spiritualist who was on his way to that very temple, well, Hagen could not simply let him go; not without extracting further information from him.

What Hagen did not know however, was that the sorcerer had been actively searching for Hagen’s father, for no one had ever belong to that sect and got to leave it, the way Hagen’s father had done. As it had just then begun to rain, and from the look of things, the rising wind herding the flotilla of clouds in the sky, the downpours would be upon them soon, Adelram, before they were drenched, readily accepted the invitation to spend the night in a warm dry place. Along the way Adelram had truthfully confessed to Hagen that his bones were quite weary from his lengthy travels anyway, and that his stomach gnawed as he’d forgotten to eat past two days. He would resume his journey the subsequent day, or when the rain had let up, with renewed vigour after a good night’s rest. What could be better than that?

Once at the wood cabin however, Adelram had learned that both Hagen’s parents had passed away; negating the need to fulfill his secret assignment. Meanwhile, Hagen’s blissful ignorance about his father’s past, had saved his life.  

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After repast, the two comfortably seated by the hearth (fireplace) they had sincerely conversed delving into many topics, and in a very short time, Adelram become quite fond of the youth; furthermore, he was impressed with Hagen’s brilliance of mind and good heart.

Adelram at one point, as a matter-of-factly, feigning mild interest, asked to see Hagen’s right palm, and readily been given access to it, he studied the lines for a long while, secretly reading much more, as he was also a seir (diviner, clairvoyant, psychic). Subsequently, he knitted his brows, and then pinning (burrowing) his eyes into Hagen’s, he studied the boy’s subconscious mind.  In the end, Adelram, knowing what he knew, swiftly decided to impart some of his knowledge of the (sacred scrolls) mystic arts to this trusting, likeable youth, Hagen; therefore, providing him with slant chance to overcome future catastrophe, and perhaps even save his life. The outcome and how he fared (managed) the danger, however, would still depend on Hagen’s future competence (aptitude, skill).

Adelram had stayed with Hagen for several more days during which time he’d imparted on (taught him) Hagen, a good measure of the arts, with the result that the young man became an expert (proficient) in most spells and charms. As Hagen continued to show such promise Adelram, before his intended departure, took Hagen aside and showed him an incantation (spell) that he'd carefully written down during the night on a parchment, while Hagen had blissfully slept. It dealt with the exorcism of specific type, supremely powerful demon-spirit and told Hagen to set it aside for now, till one day, when in dire straits, he might make good use of it. Adelram then holding out the second parchment, said, “My dear boy, here's several more effective spells (hexes) which I’ve written down for your eyes only; these incantations will exorcise (banish, eliminate) most evil spirits; guard it well, and it will always provide you with a good source of income. You’ll never lack for dosh (cash, bread) and in time it may even provide you with a beautiful wife.”

Hagen gratefully accepted the gift.

Time passed and as Hagen practiced the mystic arts, word of his competence spread and as he’d prospered, he took up residence in the nearby small village. He conducted his business of mysticism, divinations, exorcisms and dispensed herbal remedies, from his current modest dwelling at the edge of the village. As he became renown far and wide, Hagen’s gate was thronged with folk bearing many gits to solicit his help.

04- SEDIT

Then one day a haughty (arrogant) merchant (who had prospered from selling arms and quality farm equipment) named Sedit, called on Hagen and in private consultation told Hagen that he was terribly worried about his precious younger daughter Botilda, worst still, he feared his daughter’s life might be in dire peril from an evil spirit or a ghost. He offered Hagen rich rewards if he would go and see her.  Hearing that it was a case of life and death, Hagen consented to help and, forgoing any pre-payment for his trouble, set out immediately with Sedit to reach his residence. They travelled for several days, for the place was quite far. Eventually one late afternoon they arrived at this remote locale and presently came to Sedit’s house perched on a hilltop, which proved to be a magnificent mansion, built like a fortress. Entering it, Hagen was conducted to where Botilda was sleeping behind a gauze curtain; and when her maids hung up the curtain, he saw that though she was barely sixteen, her features were ravaged as if by a very long illness.

As Hagen drew closer to examine her, the girl suddenly opened her eyes and smiled.

“Here comes a good physician!” Botilda said in a hushed voice.

The whole family was delighted, for up till then, she had remained as if in a coma, not uttering a single sound, for several days.

After his brief examination, Hagen left the girl’s chamber and went to the study where Sedit was, to acquire more specifics about her prior symptoms; consequently, Hagen learned from Sedit, that in broad daylight servants had observed, more than once, a young man going into Botilda’s bed. At each attempt to catch him however, the young man had vanished, only to reappear soon after. Sedit therefore had deduced (assumed) that he must be an avenging evil spirit or a ghost.

“If he is a ghost,” remarked Hagen, “I can easily rid you of him. But if he is a powerful demon, I shall be powerless to help.” 

“No, of that I’m certain, he is not!” exclaimed Sedit with a wry smile. Sedit had then grumbled something under his breath, then added in hushed voice, “He wouldn’t dare trespass on my …!” Then staying his tongue, he’d furtively looked to ascertain Hagen had not caught (heard) the careless lingo (speech, utterance, mumble).

Having dispensed written charms to some of the attending servants, those around the patient, Hagen retired for the night, though sleep averted him. At stroke of midnight, a well-dressed young man entered his room, and Hagen, taking him to be some relative of the host, rose from his couch and ask to learn the stranger’s name.

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“I am the Raven Prince Arathorn, my physical form, spellbound by the silver chains, is held captive (imprisoned) in the very dungeon below,” was the disconsolate (melancholy, sad) reply. “Do not underestimate that villain Sedit, he is in truth, a powerful panther demon. His supposed wife Ellisif and her daughters Botilda and Freya, are his human captives. Sedit, five years ago brutally murdered her husband and took her for himself. But he had, same time also, kidnapped her two young girls …. Let’s just say he has sinister plans for them both when they become full adult.  Before my capture, I, with my youthful exuberance, wanting to see the world, had left the safe heaven of my father’s kingdom, in search of adventure. Passing through this region, I happened to see, Botilda, the young lady you’ve been asked to cure (restore to health), carefree and gathering wildflowers at the edge of the forest and felt instantly drawn to her; nevertheless, I flew on by.” Arathorn, dropping his head, fell silent for a moment, recalling in his mind’s eye, the delightfully captivating, serene scene back then, a time which seemed a lifetime ago.

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He cleared his throat and then resumed his say, “But then, since I could not get her out of my mind, I flew back sometime later, to glimpse her one more time.  I came upon the horrific scene. I fought him but he was too powerful and in the and, I too was taken captive by this loathsome (immoral, vicious), malignant demon. Because I have taken fancy to Botilda, I managed to release my spirit from my body, and aptly disguised, through telepathic (telekinetic) projections, akin now, from time to time, I confess that I had visited her, though chiefly to console her and try to give her hope, scant hope that there was, till you happened to come along.”  

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Arathorn allowed Hagen to see him as he truly was, bound by chains in the dungeon; before shifting back to less dramatic (pitiable) form. Arathorn pensively bit the corner of his lip and shook his head; thenceforth, he in serious tone, cautioned Hagen: “Do not let your guard down, not for a second; he has sought you out for some malevolent motive. You are a pray, not his salvation. I approached you with this warning, because I can sense that you are a decent mortal being. And perhaps we can find some apt resolution to this dilemma; possibly we can in some way help each other, as you are true of heart and for this reason, I decided to trust you.  I shall also relay to you that Botilda’s elder sister Freya, who shall be eighteen years old in seven day’s time, is even more beautiful than my beloved. But I assure you, I only have eyes for Botilda; and, till present our relationship has only been platonic, I have not done anything improper, and I am not certainly responsible for her ailment. While I have respected and even guarded their virtue, there is a mysterious force that is perpetuated by Sedit, poised to, in not to distant future, inflict harm on them both.  Temporarily, doing my best to protect them, I deliberately caused mayhem and fright to deter his dastardly aim. But my vitality is waning (diminishing) and the bluff will only work so far; I cannot shapeshift, I cannot use my innate powers, I am rendered utterly helpless and at his mercy. But I care not for my welfare; my chief worries are of the innocent two; what will become of them when I’m gone? Who will save them then?”

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Hagen’s face as he’d listened, had revealed no emotion at all, though inwardly he’d seethed in fury. His heart was beset with dismay by all these shocking revelations and his righteous sense demanded for him to at once lash out at Sedit, to attack and destroy this demon.  He wanted nothing better than to rescue the innocent captives, to release the raven prince, only, he did not know how to go about it.

As if reading (anticipating) what was on his mind, Prince Arathorn suddenly said, “We need a good plan, an apt strategy before we go up against him; and conceivably, a powerful incantation, one that would paralyse (incapacitate) him, if not, rob him of his powers, long enough to enable us to terminate him. But I know no such spell; do you?”

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Suddenly, the very incantation Adelram had gifted to him, came to Hagen’s mind and, after an elated chortle (snigger), he happily exclaimed: “Yes, indeed; I happened to have the very thing!” After that, he briefly told Raven Prince Arathorn about Adelram and his imparted secret incantation, Hagen was certain it would be the key (fundamental armament) solution.

Subsequently, both Hagen and Arathorn wracked their brains till they devised a concrete plan; mindful that they would only get this one chance to best the demon. They needed the help of one other willing participant, however, one the demon would not suspect and preferably the very one the demon would overlook. There was only one person, that it could be…

Next day before noon, Hagen approached Sedit and told him that after the night’s deliberation, he’d arrived at a probable solution; but then he hesitated (stalled), and after exhaling a deep breath, he stated that he would do this on one condition however, as he would face certain peril, in leu of payment for his services, he wished  that Sedit would consent to wed him to his elder daughter Freya.

Sedit looked as though he would explode, but he quickly swallowed his rage, and forcing a smile to his lips, a smile that never reached his cold eyes, he tautly ejected, I’ll need some time to consider this. Then as if in afterthought, he nodded in agreement, “Never mind; I agree.”

Weary of deception and fearing Sedit might recant the nuptial agreement once Botilda was entirely cured (and supposedly safe), Hagen asked for an added assurance from Sedit’s wife Ellisif who happened to just then came out from the inner chambers. Ellisif, having heard of their accord, and hope springing in her heart, she’d advanced towards Hagen to greet him and state also her ready pledge.

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“These suspicions are quite unworthy of you, sir!” Ellisif, nevertheless, criticized Hagen, trying not to appear too eager. My husband’s word is law in this household, however, since you ask for guarantee, would this suffice?” Ellisif then, with pretend indignation, (handed over) gave him Freya’s gold hairpin. As Hagen received the hairpin, he discretely that same moment had slipped into her pocket a written note. She’d sensed this and after her furtive look at her husband, convinced he’d not noticed this breach, Ellisif then sharply looked at Hagen, to silently berate him for his audacity, for such dangerous and improper conduct, but seeing the urgent warning in Hagen’s eyes, an understanding dawning on her, she shut her mouth and said nothing more.

Subsequently, Hagen had spent most of the day making certain preparations. Shortly after dusk, he then summoned the whole household and chanted incantations to exorcise the ghost. Hagen burned some sage and did some smudging, which was a typical purifying ritual. After re-examining the sick girl Botilda, he asked for water to sprinkle on the curtain.

11-FREYA 

To his utter delight it was the elder sister who swiftly brought him a bowl, stealing glances at him as she came and went. Hagen felt captivated by her grace and beauty but pretended not to notice her. Meanwhile, Botilda had for some reason, a relapse, and now was moaning in her bed, but when he mumbled his incantations and then sprinkled holy water over her, this after he’d given her an herbal potion (chiefly to sooth her nerves but same time keep her alert and awake), she appeared subdued, and possibly cured. Hagen then left her side. She did not lose any consciousness and thereafter, had no episodes or irregularities during the rest of that night.

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The Raven Prince Arathorn, also as per agreed, did not manifest in Botilda’s chamber at all.

All seemingly was quiet that afternoon; moreover, because of the spell Hagen had secretly invoked, it had deterred the evil spirit, from possible trespass and rehash her ailment. The job seemingly concluded, Hagen now prepared to take his leave, but Sedit pressed him to stay for the night and would not take no for an answer. He was promptly served a sumptuous feast at repast; Ellisif and Sedit entertained Hagen as a most honoured guest, his host remaining with him till he retired to his room for forty winks (sleep). Just as Hagen laid down to slumber (nap, sleep), he heard an impatient knocking at the door and arose to find Freya there. She furtively looked about then darted in.

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“My stepfather will propose that you stay on two additional nights, and he’ll tell you that the day after tomorrow, on the third night, we will be wed in private ceremony; but he has no intention of letting me to ever marry you; he is plotting instead, to murder you tomorrow night!”    She gasped. “You must flee to safety… Please, leave under some pretext at dawn tomorrow, I can’t bear to see you perish, fly for your life!” This said in an urgent voice and turning around, she was gone. But Hagen had no intention of fleeing.

Following morning Sedit looking terribly annoyed and grim, without knocking simply barged into Hagen’s room and in furious tone informed Hagen of the sudden relapse in his daughter’s condition at dawn and hence, demanded he examine her again. Hagen suspected a cover-up for Sedit’s failed, flustered, dubious, evil attempts. Prior, having anticipated this turn, (possibly of Sedit’s), Hagen had covertly put in place, potent, strips with protection incantations. It must have worked; however, this could not be repeated, for it was only a temporary solution.  He needed to return to his home immediately and study the parchment Adelram had gifted him. He would then return, armed with the knowledge, to initiate the rest of the carefully devised plan.

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When Sedit had to leave midmorning that day, to oversee some business matter in town, and stated that he would be back before dusk, this gave Hagen the single chance, and borrowing one of their horses from the stables, on some pretext he left the mansion.

He galloped the steed all the way and returning home in haste, he quickly fetched the parchment. He read the incantation, committed it to memory, fetched the necessary herbal concoction, fortunately for him already in liquid form, in a blue small bottle, this secured in his inner pocket, he then once more mounting the steed, galloped back, mount and rider drenched in perspiration, to arrive in nick of time at Sedit’s mansion. He was back late afternoon, just before Sedit’s posh carriage had pulled to a stop at the (well guarded) iron gates.

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At repast that night, goblet filled with his choice wine, Sedit, commanding attention, made a toast to Hagen specifically, for completely curing Botilda, and then again for his upcoming nuptial to Freya. What he did not know however, was that the wine had been infused with the specific incantation laced concoction. As Sedit drunk to his black heart’s content, smiling with sinister glee, his thoughts engaged with enumerating his secret vile plan that late night, he did not pay too much attention, that just then his true form was revealed to all, though only for a spell; and, if anyone had blinked, they would have missed it.

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Then the transformation began: Sedit’s blazing eyes dimmed, gradually his senses had dulled and his physique on cellular level shifted; bit by bit (increasingly), without him knowing it, he had lost his omnipotent power to then slowly become just a mere mortal being. When the realization had set in, he had only mere seconds to reverse the damage, to alter the lasting effects. This was the most crucial moment, the only window of opportunity, when he was utterly vulnerable as a living, breathing mortal being. There had been a vague reference to this in the parchment; but even Adelram could not be certain of it. Hagen had, nevertheless, factored this variance into the plan, deciding to chance it.  At that critical juncture, Sedit’s timid (brow-beaten) wife Ellisif, who had suffered so terribly at his hand all these years, still bereft (mourning, grieving) of her beloved husband’s murder, and now Sedit was still planning far worse for her beloved children, well, something had snapped in her.

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Ellisif suddenly had stood up, turned, and akin a tigress she plunged the long dagger’s blade (a stiletto) straight into Sedit’s transformed (altered) completely human heart. Even though the warm red blood (not black blood)  rapidly spread, soaking his tunic in crimson, he still overcoming this shock, had enough predatory vigour (strength) in him that, before anyone could intercede (put a stop to it), his hand had precipitously reached out and fiercely grabbing Ellisif by the keck, crushed the bone. In a blink of an eye, both Sedit and Ellisif had expired instantaneously, (toppling) collapsing lifeless, on the floor. The malevolent devil had met his end, but unfortunately, he’d managed to claim one more innocent victim, even at the very end.

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Now the moment the Devil had expired, so had ceased (stopped) the spell that had bound the Raven Prince in chains (manacles, cuffs, fetters).  Arathorn’s power suddenly restored, he ripped the shackles (restraints) as if they were paper; once freed, his fists next smashed open the locked iron doors and he hastened (bolted) up the stairs.

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                                                                             ~

Long after the funeral of Ellisif and the proper mourning period, the two surviving daughters in a simple ceremony had joyfully married to their beloveds. As life goes on, eventually two sisters parted company, and each at different milieu (locale, background, environment) resumed rest of their fulfilling existence.

Raven Prince Arathorn flew, with his human wife Botilda held tight in his arms, and returning home in no time at all, as he was the sole heir (successor), reclaim his rightful place in that kingdom.

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Botilda lived happily with the then crowned king, as his queen in this surreal, most fantastic world; soon after, they were blessed with two healthy boys and lived contentedly to ripe old age.

Hagen also lived blissfully for many years with Freya, overcoming many challenges and then passing on their knowledge to three beautiful children when they grew up, two boys and one girl. Hagen and Freya’s love never diminished throughout their ordeals in the mortal realm, not even when they were old, feeble and their hair turned completely white, as they were always surrounded by caring friends, good neighbours, and the incessant (continuous) joy and laughter of children and many grandchildren (permeating the air).

 

The End

THE DRAGONS IN JOURNEY TO THE WEST (REVISED 2025)

 

THE DRAGONS IN JOURNEY TO THE WEST (REVISED 2025)

The Dragons in Journey to the West is one of the Four Major Classical Novels of Chinese literature written in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty. Its authorship was attributed to Wu Cheng’en. The novel is a fictionalized account of the legendary pilgrimage to the "Western Regions” by the Buddhist monk Xuanzang to obtain sacred Buddhist texts called sutras.

In real life, Xuanzang (c. 602 – 664) was a monk at Jingtu who actually travelled to India during the Tang Dynast. He left Changan in 629, seeking to attain better transcripts of Buddhist scriptures despite the fact that the borders were closed because of the ongoing war with the Göktürks. Xuanzang’s determination and persistence paid off and helped by sympathetic Buddhists, he travelled via Gansu and Qinghai to Kumul (Hami), then onto Tian Shan Mountains to Turpan. His journey led him across to what are today Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Gandhara and finally (in 630) to India.

In the fictional version pilgrimage took about fourteen years to complete, the actual records however provide evidence of only nine years. After reaching his destination during the subsequent thirteen years Xuanzang travelled throughout the Indian subcontinent visiting important Buddhist pilgrimage sites and studying at the ancient university at Nalanda. Xuanzang left India in 643 and arrived back in Chang'an in 646 to a warm reception by Emperor Taizong of Tang.

Monk Xuanzang had subsequently joined Da Ci'en, where he led the building of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in order to store the scriptures and icons he had brought back from India. In the following years he recorded his journey in the book Great Tang Records of the Western Regions. With the support of the emperor, he also established an institute at Yuhua Gong monastery dedicated to translating the scriptures he had brought back into Chinese. His translation and commentary work established him as the founder of the Dharma character school of Buddhism. Xuanzang died on March 7, 664. In 669 the Xingjiao Monastery was established to house his ashes.

Suffice to say popular stories of Xuanzang's journey were in existence long before Journey to the West was written. In these versions, dating as far back as the Southern Song Dynasty, a monkey character was already a primary protagonist. Before the Yuan and early Ming dynasties, elements of the Monkey story were already in existence.

This enduringly popular epic adventure story is full of spiritual insight and an extended allegory in which the group of pilgrims journeying toward India represented individuals journeying towards enlightenment.

The brief account of the story is this: The bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin), on instruction from the Buddha, gave this task to the monk and his three protectors in the form of disciples — namely Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing — together with a dragon prince who became as Xuanzang's steed, a white horse. The four disciples agreed to do this in order to atone for past sins.

Sun Wukong, the first disciple is the most interesting character, taking equal billing to Xuanzang. 

The first disciple of the Monk, Sun Wukong, was born from a stone and nourished by the Five Elements. Earlier on he’d learned the art of the Tao, 72 polymorphic transformations, combat, and secrets of immortality and through guile and force made a name for himself, "Great Sage Equal to Heaven". Sun Wukong’s had in his possession the greatest of weapons, a staff called, "Ruyi Jingu Bang”.

This, as well as his previous consumption of the peaches of immortality, three jars of elixir, and his time spent being tempered in Laozi's Eight-Trigram Furnace (that far from being burned to death, gave him a steel-hard body and fiery golden eyes that could detect from then on any demon or disguise) made Wukong a most powerful protector.

Besides these abilities, he could also pluck hairs from his body and blow on them to convert them into whatever he wished (usually clones of himself to gain a numerical advantage in battle). Although he was master of the 72 methods of transformation into animals such as a bee, fly, or bird, which would give him the ability to fly, he could use his "somersault cloud" to travel vast distances in a single leap. The Monkey, nimble and quick-witted, used these skills to defeat all but the most powerful of demons on the journey. Sun Wukong's childlike playfulness was a huge contrast to his cunning mind. This, coupled with his great power, made him a trickster hero. His antics presented a lighter side in what proposed to be a long and dangerous trip into the unknown. Such a being would be impossible to handle but Sun's behavior was checked by a band placed around his head by Guanyin, which could not be removed by Sun Wukong himself until the journey's end. Xuanzang was given the ability to tighten this band by chanting the "Ring Tightening Mantra" (taught to him by Guanyin) whenever he needed to chastise Wukong. The spell was referred to by Xuanzang's disciples as the "Headache Sutra", which was the Buddhist mantra "oṃ maṇipadme hūṃ". Xuanzang speaks this mantra quickly in repetition.

In Journey to the West, the events and adventures are both imaginative and colourful, set against the impassably wide rivers, flaming mountains, various magical kingdoms, a nation of females, a lair of seductive spider spirits just to mention a few. Throughout the epic story, Xuanzang and his disciples were forced to fend off attacks from monsters targeting Xuanzang, often wanting to devour him in order to attain immortality. These manifest monsters occasionally turned out to be an escaped celestial beast belonging to bodhisattvas or Taoist sages and deities. Then there were the calamities that were either due to obstructive fate or were a test of Buddha.

At the conclusion, each disciple was rewarded in the form of posts in the bureaucracy of the heavens. Sun Wukong and Xuanzang for instance achieved Buddhahood, Sha Wujing became an Arhat, the dragon horse was made a nāga, and Zhu Bajie, whose good deeds had always been tempered by his greed, was promoted to an altar cleanser (the eater of excess offerings left at altars).

In Journey to The West, there were also many exciting and colourful references to Dragons. Water Dragons in general were believed to be the rulers of moving bodies of water, such as waterfalls, rivers, or seas. They sometimes showed themselves as waterspouts (tornados or waterspouts). As divine rulers of water and weather they were more anthropomorphic in form and were often depicted as a humanoid, dressed in a king's costume, with a dragon head and wearing a king's headdress.

They had also the ability to shape shift entirely into human form. In this epic story the Dragon Kings were periodically depicted as living underwater in magnificent crystal palaces. They had of course their own royal court and commanded an army comprising various marine creatures. Apart from presiding over aquatic life, the Dragon Kings could also manipulate the weather and bring rainfall. In this fiction the four Dragon Kings of the Four Seas are: Ao Guang- The Dragon King of the South Sea; Ao Qin, Dragon King of the South Sea; Ao Run, Dragon King of the West Sea and Ao Shun, Dragon King of the North Sea.

Here are the examples of three such incidences where Dragons had manifested:

First Incident: Obtaining the Magic Staff:

This staff was Wukong’s primary weapon, the "Ruyi Jingu Bang", which he could shrink down to the size of a needle and keep in his ear or, when warranted, be expanded to gigantic proportions.

Needing a powerful weapon befitting his strength and skill, Wukong visited the Dragon palace and accosted the Dragon King Ao Guang. It is here the Monkey king obtained Ruyi Jingu Bang, his powerful, magically expanding, gold ringed iron cudgel after trying and rejecting many other heavenly weapons. According to the legend, Ruyi Jingu Bang had once been a pole used for measuring sea water depth by Da Yu in his flood control and treatment efforts. After Da Yu left, it remained in the sea and became the stabilizer known as "Pillar Holding Down the Sea". As soon as Wukong neared this massive pillar it began to glow, signifying that the monkey king was its true owner. The 18,000-pound rod obediently listened to Wukong’s command and shrunk to a manageable size to be wielded easily.

In addition to the magic staff, Wukong also obtained a golden chain mail, a phoenix-feather cap, and cloud-walking boots from Ao Guang. 

Second Incident: Introduction to Fourth Disciple Yulong:

Yulong is the white horse that Buddhist Monk Xuanzang rides. Yulong, the son of the Dragon King of the West Sea, was sentenced to death for setting fire to his father's great pearl. Like Sun Wukon he too was saved by Guanyin from execution and became the fourth disciple, protecting the Monk Xuanzang. Aside from being a white horse, Yulong also makes appearances as a White dragon and a young man in human form.

Third Incident: Is the contest for making rain:

Here, the skill of Monk Xuanzang is pitted against evil spirits posing as Taoist monks. The nation he passed through had long suffered a severe drought. In order to obtain safe passage through this nation Xuanzang engaged in a contest to summon rain. In order to bring this about Sun Wukong utilizes the Dragons of the sky to assist his master.

There is vast array of supernatural entities, evil spirits, goblins, demons and many more incredible adventures throughout this incredible time-honoured novel, Journey to the West. Book has also been made into movie more than once. If interested, check it out on YouTube.

THE END

 

THE HUNTER AND THE BOBCAT (REVISED 2025)

THE HUNTER AND THE BOBCAT 

(REVISED BY BOST 2025)

Once there was a great hunter and his family who lived, at high altitude and in a remote part of the Northern wilderness. As they were a long distance from any other dwelling or settlement, it was seldom that they saw any faces other than those of their own household.

The mighty hunter, tall, stout, with long shoulder length black hair and raven black eyes, was nevertheless content living in isolation, for he had a fair wife and two healthy, boisterous sons. Sons that were so much like him in both character and in temperament. One day they will also be a mighty hunters same as him. He was glad of that. But for now, each day his two young sons were left in the lodge while he went out hunting in quest of the game whose flesh was their primary source of food. 

Game was very abundant in those days and his labors in the hunt and chase were often well rewarded. His two sons were still too young to accompany him and so all day long they were free to play make believe and discover things so long as they played within the confines of the lodge.

Observant as they were, they once espied a young man who visited the lodge during their father’s absence, and noted that these visits became more frequent as time went by.

Curiosity winning over, once the elder of the two asked his mother in all innocence:

"Mommy, tell us who this tall young man is that comes here so often during our father's absence.  Does the stranger wished to see father, but misses him? Shall we tell father when he comes back this evening so he can delay his departure time just a little?"

"Donquri, you little fool," said the mother angrily, "this is grown up business, mind your bow and arrows, and do not be afraid to enter the forest in search of birds and squirrels, with your little brother. It is not manly to be ever about the lodge. Nor will you ever grow up to become a warrior if you tell fibs or all the little things that you see and hear to your father. Say not a word to him about this."

The boys obeyed, but as they grew older and still noticed the visits of the stranger, their gut feeling being ill at ease, they resolved to speak again to their mother.

They now told her that they meant to make known to their father all that they had witnessed, for they frequently saw this young man passing through the woods, and he did not walk in the path, nor did he carry anything to eat. If he had any message to deliver at their lodge, why did he not give it to their father? For they had observed in other cases, that messages were always addressed to men, and not to women.

When her sons spoke thus to her, the mother was greatly perturbed. Fear took hold in her heart and she in great fury admonished them:

“You are still both young and have no real comprehension of things.  Hence, you should not interfere in adult concerns. If you insist with your meddling and cause trouble, I will be forced to be more severe. “She said, "I warn you both, do not speak of this to your father or me ever again!"

In fear they, for a time, held their peace, but still noted that the stranger’s frequent stealthy visits to the lodge persisted, they long at last resolved to brave any consequence and disclose this fact their father. Their loyalty to their father demanded it after all!

Accordingly, one day when they were out in the woods, by then having grown up and learned to follow the chase, they caught up with their father and quickly told him all that they had seen in the past.

They watched with worrying eyes as the anger manifested on their father’s face then grew unnaturally dark. He remained silent and still for a while, and when at length he looked up there was unholy fire flaming in his pupils.

"It is done!" he said. "My children I ask that you tarry here until the hour of the setting sun, and then come to the lodge and you will find me there."

In two shakes of a hat, he was at the lodge. The door flew open, and he barged right in resembling a big fierce bear ready to tear everything about him into smithereens.

But she was seated lone mending some tears in the children’s coats.

“Where is he?” He bellowed.

“Who?” She cried out in fear.

“You know very well who?” He murderously grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her senseless. “You broke your promise... Now I shall not beholden to my promise. I shall vanquish your kind one and all.” He growled at her.

She knew no amount of pleading will be of any use. He was heartless, a brutal hunter that had no compunction about killing entire species and wiping them from the mountains.  Long ago on that terrible day he’d cornered her and her younger brother after killing her parents, the two little bobcat pups were shivering with fright.

He was   about to deal both a death blow when she had stood in front of her brother to protect him and swore by the Great Spirit of the Mountains, that if spared, she would serve him (this brute) without complaint to the end of her days. The Great Spirit moved by pity, had answered her prayers, and turned her into a human. The hunter in turn had promised never to hunt her kind, so long as she stayed away even from her brother and served only him.  

Tears streamed from her face remembering that cursed day and all the miserable days after that when she was not free and missed her brother terribly.  Her only solace was that her kind was left alone from then on to thrive and hunt in the mountain whereas all other predators faced extinction without mercy from the Hunter. Some species were hunted to extinction. Meanwhile her brother had grown up among other bobcats that adopted him. Missing his sister terribly, he’d eventually tracked her scent and found her for the bond of kinship was very strong.

She was fearful for what the Hunter might do if he ever found out; still she could not help herself, for she loved her brother dearly. He called on her frequently and relayed to her all the news about her kind which somewhat mitigated her homesickness.

She pleaded and pleaded with the hunter for his mercy.  But he was bent on revenge and called on the Great Spirit to punish her.  The Great Spirit constrained by Heavenly laws, punished her for violating her promise; hence, she was turned into a horrid version of a Bobcat. And so from then on she was barred from having any contact with her children as well as being shunned by her own kind. Tragically, she was condemned to live a horrible existence for the duration of her natural life, always lurking in the shadows.

Meanwhile, the two ingrate sons, that had more their father’s genes (DNA) than their mother’s, remained sporting away the time till the hour for their return had come.

When they reached the lodge the mother was not there. They dared not to ask their father whither she had gone, and from that day forth her name was never spoken again in the lodge.

In the course of time the two boys grew to be men and, although the mother was nevermore seen neither in the lodge nor on the paths in the forest, nor by the river side, bound by maternal affection (love), she still lingered near the lodge.

Changed, but the same, with ghastly looks and arms that were withered, she appeared to her sons as they returned from the hunt, in the twilight.

At night she darkly unlatched the lodge-door and glided in and bent over them as they sought to sleep. Oftenest it was her bare brow, white, and bony, and bodiless, that they saw floating in the air, and making a mock of them in the wild paths of the forest, or in the midnight darkness of the lodge.

Fuelled with false facts, with outraged bias against her, the sons viewed their mother as a terror that hunted their peace and lives.  They cursed her existence for according to them she made every spot where they had seen her, hideous to the living eye. The hunter never witnessed such; still he was frustrated and grew somewhat weary of his sons’ complaints. Finally, his sons were resolved, together with their father, now stricken in years, to leave the wilderness.

They began a journey toward the South, where there would be settlements. After traveling many days along the shore of a great lake, they passed around a craggy bluff, and came upon a scene where there was a rough fall of waters, and a river issuing forth from the lake.

In pursuit of them the mother came out of the woods in the form of a giant, grotesque, rabid bobcat. At this moment, one of them looked out and saw a stately crane sitting on a rock in the middle of the rapids. They called out to the bird, "See, grandfather, how we are persecuted? Come and take us across the falls that we may escape her."

The crane so addressed was of extraordinary size, and had arrived at a great old age, and, as might be expected, he sat, when first described by the two sons, in a state of profound thought, revolving his long experience of life there in the midst of the most violent eddies.

When he heard himself appealed to, the crane stretched forth his neck with great deliberation, and lifting himself slowly by his wings, he flew across to their assistance.

"Be careful," said the old crane, "that you do not touch the crown of my head. I am bald from age and long service and very tender at that spot. Should you be so unlucky as to lay a hand upon it, I shall not be able to avoid throwing you both in the rapids."

They paid strict heed to his directions and were soon safely landed on the other shore of the river. He returned and carried the father in the same way; and then took his place once more where he had been first seen in the very midst of the eddies of the stream.

But the woman, who had by this time reached the shore, cried out, "Come, my grandfather, and carry me over, for I have lost my children, and I am sorely distressed."

The aged bird, now questioning his earlier judgement, at first obeyed her summons, and flew to her side. He was a suspicious sort and seeing how hideous she looked in her grotesque bobcat form, once more doubted her story.  She had to have been an evil spirit in pursuit. She would harm them soon as she crossed the water. And so feeling rather noble he harboured a secret desire to harm this evil spirit and defend them. He carefully repeated the warning, expecting her to disregard it, that she was not to touch the crown of his head. Outwardly he begged her to bear in mind that she should respect his old age, if there was any sense of virtue left in her.

She promised to obey; but they were no sooner fairly embarked in the stream, that instantly the crane cast her into the rapids, and shook his wings as if to free himself of all acquaintance with her.

“Why have you wronged me?” She cried as she sunk in the raging stream. The woman disappeared, was straightway carried by the rapid currents far out into the waters, and in the wide wilderness of shore-less depth, without companion or solace, and was lost forever.

“I’m preventing you from harming any other, you foul creature!” He responded very much pleased with himself for doing the noble thing. 

Suddenly however the gust of wind derailed him and unable to find his bearing, he too plummeted into the waters.

“What a fool!” The hunter gritted his teeth for the loss of such a fine meal. They picked themselves off the ground and trudged along to find some other game to satisfy their growing hunger.

The mountain spirit could stand this injustice no longer, and in one breath, turned the hunter and his sons all to field mouse.

They deservedly from then on live in fear and hunted by many.

Meanwhile, the mountain spirit, being merciful, had also breathed life into her lungs, and no, she did not perish as the rest had assumed. Her unconscious body was delicately carried off by torrents (fast flowing streams) to further down the river and reaching a tributary, therefore, missing the dangerous, cascading waterfall, she was gently deposited on the shoreline. Heaven works in mysterious ways; it so happened that her brother the bobcat had been in pursuit of a game which led him to that very spot where she was beached. To cut the long story short, the two siblings were re-united, and from then on, she lived blissfully (joyfully) among her kind, forsaking forever the human form, as a beautiful bobcat.

Fin