How Zoya Befriended the Dragon — A Chinese Fairy Tale for Children

In a distant Chinese village, surrounded by green hills, lived a girl named Zoya. Her parents were farmers who grew rice. But for several months, a drought had struck the village: the sky was clear, the rain did not come, and the fields began to wither. The villagers prayed for help, but the water never appeared.

One day, Zoya decided to embark on a journey to Mount Longshan, where, according to legends, a dragon—the water spirit—lived. "If anyone can help, it is him," she told herself. Taking a basket of fruits as a gift, Zoya began her journey.

At the mountain's peak, she discovered a large cave. Inside, it was dark, but something blue lighted in the depth. Zoya entered and saw a huge dragon with scales shimmering like water. He lay there, his head resting on his paws, looking sad. "Who are you, girl?" the dragon asked in a deep but gentle voice.

"I am Zoya, from the village at the mountain's base. Our fields are drying up, and I have come to ask for your help," she said. The dragon sighed, "I would love to help, but my rain pearls have been stolen. Without them, I cannot summon the rain."

Zoya was surprised, "Who could have stolen them?" The dragon explained that they were taken by cunning wind spirits who had hidden the pearls in different parts of the mountain. "But how will we get there?" Zoya asked. The dragon said, "I am too old to fight them. But you, brave girl, can help. If you find the pearls, I will bring the rain back to your village."

Zoya agreed and set off to search. The first pearl was located in an eagle's nest, which guarded it like a treasure. Zoya climbed the rock and saw the eagle. "Please return the pearl. It will save the village," she said. The eagle pondered and then replied, "I will give it to you if you help me find my lost egg."

Zoya began her search and soon found the egg, which had rolled into a crevice. Returning it to the eagle, she received the first pearl.

The second pearl was located at a waterfall cursed by the wind spirits. Zoya entered the cold water, despite her fear, and discovered the pearl behind a stone. The spirits tried to stop her by creating whirlwinds, but she showed courage and escaped with the pearl.

The last pearl was in a deep cave guarded by a giant spider. "You shall not pass," it said. Zoya noticed that the spider was injured. "Let me help you," she said. She removed a thorn stuck in the spider's paw, and the spider, as a sign of gratitude, handed her the pearl.

When Zoya returned to the dragon with the three pearls, his eyes sparkled with joy. "You have accomplished a great deed, little heroine. Now I can bring back the rain," he said.

The dragon soared into the sky, holding the pearls in his claws. Clouds began to gather, and soon the first rain fell upon the village. The fields came to life, and the villagers rejoiced. When Zoya returned home, her parents embraced her, proud of her bravery.

The next morning, Zoya found a gift from the dragon at her doorstep: a small silver pearl. "This amulet will remind you that even one brave soul can save the entire world," the note read. From then on, Zoya became a true heroine of her village, and the rain never left their land again.