The Swallow and the Rice Grain – A Chinese Fairy Tale about Hope and the Generosity of Nature
A touching tale about a swallow who brought magical rice grains to a drought-stricken village. A story about mutual assistance, patience, and gratitude.
Short Description: This fairy tale tells the story of a swallow who brought magical rice grains, saving a village from drought. A story about hard work, hope, and kindness.
In a small village surrounded by rice fields, a drought struck. The rivers dried up, the fields cracked from the heat, and the plants began to wither. The villagers gathered anxiously for a council meeting, trying to find a solution.
Among them was a wise elder who said, "We must seek help from nature. If we work hard, it will always respond." The people began to toil: they dug new channels and tried to preserve whatever moisture they could, but the drought worsened.
Meanwhile, a little swallow living on the edge of the village watched their efforts. She felt how much the people loved their fields and wanted to help. Remembering stories about a distant fertile place beyond the mountains where unusual grains grow, she decided to fly there.
The swallow flew for a long time, through mountains and deserts, until she found the very field with magical rice grains. The local inhabitants gave her some seeds, saying, "These seeds require care, but their harvest can restore any field."
The return journey was not easy: wind and rain tried to stop the little bird, but she did not give up. When the swallow returned to the village, she placed the seeds before the elder. "These are magical grains, but they must be planted with patience and hard work," she explained.
The villagers planted the seeds with gratitude. They cared for them day and night: watering them with the remaining water, loosening the soil, and shielding them from the scorching sun. After several weeks, the seeds sprouted strong shoots, and soon the field was covered with green stalks.
The harvest was modest, but it was enough to feed the village until the next season. The people harvested part of the rice and replanted the remaining seeds to restore the entire field. The swallow continued to live near the people, visiting each year to check on how their rice was growing.
Moral of the Story: Hard work, patience, and nature's assistance help overcome the toughest times. Everyone can contribute to the common good.
Questions for Discussion with Children:
- Why did the village experience a drought?
- How did the swallow help the people?
- What did the villagers do to grow the harvest?
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