The Crying Dragon

The people of the little town were happy in anticipation of the coming of the lunar new year, Tet Nguyen Dan, the ceremony which marks the coming of spring in Vietnam. They were ready to usher in the Year of the Rooster. The houses were all swept clean, and decorated with plants, and flowers. The yellow flowers and red Li Xi envelopes of the cay mai made the branches in their pots look lovely. A beautiful new kumquat tree full of deep orange fruits decorated many of the houses The women had cooked and cooked and there were platters heaped with special banh chung rice cakes, egg rolls, and sweets.

The people had visited their ancestor’s burial sites, cleaning and decorating the graves and inviting the ancestors to visit for Tet. The family altar in each home was decorated with incense, fruit, and delicious candies. The pictures of the ancestors on the altar smiled at the happy family homes; no one quarreled and the children had promised to behave. Red paper fluttered gaily from the Cay Nieu in the front yards. All seemed ready for the three days of the Spring Festival. The Kitchen God would have a very good report to make to the Jade Emperor about their little country town.

Then tragedy struck! Rong the dragon came, and he was crying. “Aiyeeeee,” he wailed loudly. 

The people stopped their happy visiting, the children quit playing Da-Cau, and everyone ran to see what was the matter.

“Aiyee, aiyee,” the dragon bawled in a muffled tone. He hung his head and curled all 81 scales of his crest into a pitiful little ball. “

DoVat the wrestler demanded, “Stop that! You are supposed to be the symbol of power and nobility. We simply cannot have a whimpering dragon at Tet. You will bring us all bad luck. What is wrong with you?”

But the dragon would not open his mouth to answer.

Two musicians stepped forward and played a happy tune, hoping that would cheer him up, but the dragon continued to weep large tears.

Tho San, the hunter, stepped forward and said, “Rong, if you will stop crying I will catch you some delicious frogs to eat.” But the dragon only cried louder.

Nong Nghiep, the farmer, offered a basket of rice, Cau Ca, the fisherman, presented a fat red fish, Do Vat performed Se dai a chain of nice looking gestures, but nothing helped to cheer the dragon up. 

At last little Ban Hang the vendor set down her heavy baskets of goods and squatted down by the pitiful dragon. “Please, dear Rong, we are all your friends and want to help you, but how can we make things right if we don’t know what is wrong?”

At that, the tearful dragon opened his mouth and in a defeated tone of voice he said, “Just look what has happened!” 

As they looked at the yawning cavern of the dragon’s mouth, the people all gasped with shock! Right in the middle of the dragon’s large red tongue where the dragon’s beautiful jewel should have been was …. well… nothing but more tongue!

“Oh, dear Rong, you have lost your beautiful jewel. No wonder you are so sad,” said Ban Hang as she gave the dragon a big hug. “Don’t cry any more. We are your friends and we will help you.”

The people began to think of what they could do to help their poor dragon. They decided that although they were very poor people, each one would give something to help get a new jewel for the dragon so he could be happy again. Tho San took his basket to catch a fine rabbit to sell. Nong Nghiep waded out into the rice paddy and gathered a large basket of rice. Cau Ca caught five fat fish and Do Vat donated the money he had won at his last wrestling match. The musicians gave half their pay from the last week. The people loaded all their gifts into Ban Hang’s baskets and she set off at once for Saigon to sell them. 

Ban Hang went straight to the heart of the city and began to call out her wares. Soon she has sold everything, and clutching the precious money she stopped at the shop of a jeweler. Here there were many beautiful jewels for sale, but when she counted her money she realized she had only the amount to pay for the tiniest of gems. She picked out a small diamond and wrapped it carefully in paper. Holding it tightly in her hand, she sadly began the long walk home.

Back in the village, everyone was waiting for her. With tears in her eyes, she explained that although she had gotten good prices for the wares, there was only enough money for a small jewel. She held out her hand and slowly unwrapped the paper. What was her surprise to see a giant, sparkling stone! 

Happily, she placed it on the dragon’s tongue as she exclaimed, “I don’t understand it, but here is your new jewel, Rong.”

With a great roar of delight, Rong answered, “I understand! This jewel was not purchased with money alone. This gem was bought with your love and friendship. Those who have love and friendship will always have the most precious of jewels in their life.”

Now that the dragon was happy again, the little town was full of love and friendship and happiness, so Tet could begin.