The Wandering Star
Introduction to the Quest
Many hundreds of years ago, a man named Han Wu Ti was the Emperor of China. At that time, no one in China knew much about the outside world. They were uncertain whether people lived beyond the great Western Mountains or where the Yellow River, which flowed through China, originated.
The Emperor’s Decision
One day, Emperor Han Wu Ti decided to learn more about the outside world. He summoned one of his ministers, named Chang Chu, and ordered him to explore the lands to the west and north of China. Additionally, the Emperor instructed him to find the source of the Yellow River.
Chang Chu’s Journey
Chang Chu embarked on his journey and travelled for over fifteen years, visiting numerous countries, yet he still failed to find the beginning of the Yellow River. He set out on a second expedition, but this time he was captured by a fierce tribe of warriors in the north, and it took years before he managed to escape.
A Third Expedition
Once again, the Emperor called Chang Chu before him and ordered him to set out on another quest to find the river’s source. This time, the explorer decided the only option was to sail upstream along the Yellow River until he reached its end.
With a new boat and ample provisions, he set sail, navigating the long and winding river that flows across China.
A Storm at Sea
After sailing for months, one night, while his boat was moored to the riverbank, a fierce gale erupted. The small sailing boat was tossed from side to side on the tumultuous water until the mooring rope snapped, and the boat was swept away by the raging current.
The next morning, after the storm subsided, Chang Chu awoke, thoroughly exhausted from the night’s adventure. He found the sky a lovely blue, with no clouds in sight. The landscape around him had transformed; instead of mountains on either side, there were fields and orchards. The river, once swift-flowing and muddy, was now a beautiful shade of blue, so clear that he could see the stones and fish below.
The Discoveries Along the River
Chang Chu sailed for most of the day without encountering any people, and very few birds or animals, save for a multitude of magpies gliding over the water. Along the riverbanks, many peach trees were in bloom, filling the air with their delightful perfume.
It wasn’t until late afternoon that he spotted a herdsman leading his cattle down to the river for a drink. Soon after, he came upon a girl sitting on the opposite bank, weaving a beautiful cloth as she sang, passing the shuttle from side to side.
A Mysterious Encounter
Chang Chu steered his boat to the shore and approached the girl. “Excuse me,” he said, “could you please direct me to the nearest village? I have lost my way in the storm and I am a stranger in this district.”
The girl looked up and smiled at him. “I cannot tell you the way to the nearest village, and even if I did, you might not believe me,” she replied. “Instead, take this shuttle of mine and return to the palace of your Emperor. Present it to the Emperor’s astronomer, the minister who studies the stars, and tell him the exact day and month when you received it. Then, perhaps he will be able to explain where you have been.”
A Return to the Palace
Chang Chu was bewildered by the girl’s words, but he followed her instructions and sailed back down the river to the palace. He went straight to the astronomer, shared his story, and handed over the shuttle, informing him that he had received it on the seventh day of the seventh month.
The Astronomer’s Revelation
The astronomer examined his charts, let out a cry of excitement, and exclaimed, “But, of course, you must be the wandering star that I saw in the heavens on that night!”
<p“The wandering star?” Chang Chu asked, confused. <p“Yes,” the wise man replied. “Many years ago, the young Weaving Goddess, daughter of the King of the Stars, fell in love with a herdsman, and they married. However, they were so enamoured that they neglected their duties. The King of the Stars grew angry and banished the herdsman to the other side of the Milky Way, separating the two lovers. They could only meet once a year, on the seventh day of the seventh month.”
Understanding the Legend
<p“But how could they meet with the vast Milky Way between them?” asked Chang Chu. <p“Well, on that night, all the magpies from Earth gather on the banks of the Milky Way and form a bridge with their wings, allowing the lovers to cross and reunite.” <p“I understand,” nodded Chang Chu, recalling the many magpies he had seen flying over the river that day.
The Connection Between Rivers
<p“This year, on the seventh day of the seventh month, I watched the sky as usual,” the astronomer continued. “I saw the herdsman and the Weaving Goddess, represented by the stars Vega and Altair. Suddenly, I saw another star, a wandering star, appear between them. From what you tell me, I am certain you must have been that star.” <p“But if that’s true,” cried Chang Chu in astonishment, “could it mean that the Milky Way and the Yellow River are the same? Are the fields I saw on either side of me the fields of Heaven?” <p“Indeed,” replied the wise man. “Tell me, did you see any peach trees growing up there?”
The Gift of Immortality
<p“Indeed I did,” replied Chang Chu. “They were beautiful.” <p“Those trees bear the fruits of Immortality,” said the astronomer. “Had you collected and eaten one of those fruits while you were there, you would have lived forever.”
The Emperor’s Knowledge
The next day, Chang Chu visited Emperor Han Wu Ti and recounted his travels and adventures. The Emperor rejoiced, exclaiming, “At last, we know where the beginning of the great Yellow River lies—in the Milky Way! Now it is possible to travel from the Earth into the sky by sailing along our great river.”
A Lasting Fable
For many years, this tale has been shared throughout China. The Yellow River is incredibly long and seems to stretch on for eternity, prompting some to believe that it reaches to Heaven.