The Secrets Dragons Keep

Patricia Preston
School of Human Services


Prologue:

Dragons exhale fire, shapeshifting for secrecy, guarding treasured egg clutches to sustain existence, and magically appearing for human covenants to balance Mother Earth and elements, fending peace, virtue, and harmony.

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In the early 1800s, Harmony Point was a tranquil town west of Suzhou, far from the busy City of Shanghai. Several farmers and families, their dwellings, rock fences, and wagons scattered across the peaceful landscape, tending flocks, gardens, and rice fields nourished by the copper Yangtze River.

Ren, a prophet of goodness and love, lived in a serene white thatched Minka hut surrounded by deep purple plum flora and yellowish-green, copper-tipped trees. Inside, black tatami mat flooring ran throughout, with a limestone fireplace at the heart, providing warmth for tea, soulful meditation, and cooking.

Harmony Point, Ren heard, was suspect to mystery and ancient rumors. Dragons lived secretly in river cave dwellings, cold-blooded, hearts aflame in golden hues and transmuting scales. They spied upon workers in rice fields by day, playing at night, feasting on farmed wages of ginger and fish meant for the Marketplace.

A forty-year secret and counting, Ren had a beloved Dragon named Zhong gathered before hatching while hiking before the twilight’s gleam. Orphaned, barely glowing blue, Ren quickly journeyed home, praying with hope and virtue.

Since a young pup, Ren taught Zhong the values of Human Kindness— practicing rituals of deeper understanding, Harmony, Love, and Compassion amongst all beings, especially within one’s heart, innocence, and loving blindness. ♥

One morning, they ventured to the Marketplace, shopping for monthly tea supplies, rice, and Zhong’s favorite delight─ candy. Zhong lacked self-discipline regarding sweets; Ren had to portion it— chocolate was a decadent treat.

Along the way, a Rooster and Hen named Xin and Li-Jen were shielding a clutch of eggs on the roadside. Xin, a handsome rooster with cobalt blue eyes and ebony features, bravely bolted in front of Ren. “Hello, can you help us? Our Master's wagon wheel hit a bump, causing our crate to topple.”

Li Jen, Xin’s mate, a green-eyed, white, and raven-specked hen, chimed in, “Despite our cries for help, the Master continued to the Marketplace, leaving us behind. Here we stand nowhere to go, risking the lives of our Littles.”

Li-Jen pointed a long white feathering finger to a crumpled wooden crate, the egg clutch still safe inside.

“We will help you find him,” Ren replied confidently, “We, too, journey to the Marketplace.”

Off they went with the egg clutch in hand― Proverb Ren, Dragon, Rooster, and Hen.

The Marketplace was bustling with parade drums, flutes, people and creatures, delicious scents wafting from food tents, shopkeepers selling goods, Bok Choy and fish, children playing, and merrymakers enjoying rice wine too early in the day.

Ren spotted the Master's red wagon near the stone watering trough, Xin described. The Master, wearing black girded breeches and knee-high boots, flowing green and black robe, and a gray rounded sun hat while bartering livestock for wages, unaware of mysteries under his nose.

“Hello, Sir. Do you have a moment?” Ren said.

Greetings and salutations were underway, with talks continuing over much-needed rest and tea in a quiet lodge nearby.

In shifting secret as dragons do, Zhong transformed into a paper parade dragon, a translucent blend of shimmering gold and blue, melding onto the lodge’s black street lamppost. Both men bargained, with the risk of fortune—friends and egg clutch hiding in the red barn nearby, anxious for fate, come what may.

Ren returned with Zhong in tow, telling the anxious couple they were free to go. Xin stood fast, hesitating for more.

“Freedom came at a price, which the Master expected to earn as wages at the Marketplace.” Clearing his throat confidently, “A price for a coin,” Ren continued, “Can never be placed on one called friend, for friendship is priceless.”

Ren stood bowing chin to chest, the white of his beard converged across his breast while he gathered the white fabric of his robes about him, turning to go.

Sensing Xin’s mistrust, “If you must know, Zhong and I can stretch our use of tea, rice, and candy supply to afford the coins given for priceless companions. We will now be on our way.”

Xin and Li-Jen were speechless and thankful. “Please, could we join you on the journey back to the village at the base of the mountains?” Xin asked. “It is a long trek from the Marketplace and done best in gatherings.” Li-Jen and Zhong nodded together, paws and feathers clasped in anxious hope of unity and kindness.

“But, of course,” Ren said smiling, “we can talk about food and tea on the way.”

“Wonderful, we can travel together safely!” Li-Jen exclaimed.

Xin nodded enthusiasm, “Most definitely, and we are very grateful! However, Li-Jen and I have been discussing it, agreeing that we have something to share with you before we go. Would you and Zhong please close your eyes for a moment?”

Ren and Zhong exchanged glances, Ren nodding in agreement that they would. The cool red barn smelled of hay and dust, protecting the small group from the public’s eye in shadowing darkness. Just enough light streamed through the rafters from the warm sun outside.

“You see, true friendship,” Xin noted with shuffling sounds of motion, “always promotes goodwill and commitment towards others, expressing the goodness within oneself.”

"Please," Xin spoke softly, "open your eyes."

What happened next to Ren and Zhong’s surprise was anyone’s guess! Xin and Li-Jen smiled proudly at their newfound friends—mouths agape and eyes wide as saucers.

Xin’s smile beamed through razor-sharp teeth and cobalt blue reptilian features where once a black beak peaked.

“The atmospheric rivers of mountain rainfall,” Li-Jen explained, “forced refuge in the Master’s barn as chickens by day to save our egg clutch, blending with his flock until our Littles could be born.”

“At last, home to the rice field caves under the moon.” Xin chimed. “The average Man could not be trusted, consumed by greed and vices.” The color of cobalt gleamed from the windows of his soul, tears mirroring Li-Jen. “But you, Ren, and Zhong showed compassion and charity, revealing authenticity and bridging friendship for many moons to come.”

Journeying home to Harmony Point, egg clutch in tow, Proverb Ren, Dragon, Rooster, and Hen valued friendship and benevolence as kindred spirits, the power of good encompassing those secrets dragons keep.💕