The bird carries the jade necklace.

The necklace swayed in a breeze, bumping against the bamboo’s slender stalk. A soothing musical sound came from the dangling jade.

“A breeze! Thank you, O Mother Goddess, protector of all life! Your breeze is coming from the sea. You have sent the breath of fung-shui (wind-water), of the white tiger and the dragon gods. We shall have sweet rain very soon.” The king knelt and bowed his head again in prayer. “I thank you and praise you, O Mother of the Earth.” Running toward the palace, he shouted over his shoulder, “On behalf of your people, I will show you our gratitude. ”

And the soft rains did come, soaking the land, flooding the rice paddies.  The people planted strong seedlings that developed into abundant crops. The rains saved the people from a hungry winter.

Groves of jade

Necklaces swaying in the bamboo forest.

The king did not forget his promise. “You will bring many jade necklaces,” he instructed his servants. “Bring white jade for the Tiger God of the west; bring green jades of the east, carved with dragons with the scales of fish. Bring jades of red, yellow, and blue.” More servants came running as the excited ruler danced before them in his joy. “Hang the jades in the bamboo grove, high enough to catch the sea breezes. Go now! We must show the All Mother we are grateful for her kindness.”

“The old guy has lost his mind,” grumbled one of the servants. “What will hanging jade jewelry do to help anything?”

“You do not yet know,” the king smiled, “that even though I am old, I can still hear what you say, servant. And what I hear is your ignorance.” Cowering and kowtowing, the servant prostrated himself in abject humility before the monarch.

“Rise now and be off. Go to the jade carver, servant. Tell him to place jade pedants on golden cords. Bring as many of the necklaces as you can carry. The jades will tell us when the rains will come.” Rising, the servant ran as fast as he could to the jade carver’s hut.