The Mountain and the Sea | 山与海

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One day, the Mountain Man said to the Sea Man, "I have never tried fishing. I'd like to go fishing in the sea. Why don't you exchange your fishing rod for my bow and arrows and try hunting in the mountains?"

"If you say so, just once..." agreed the Sea Man.

The Sea Man went to the mountains while the Mountain Man went to the sea. No matter how hard the Sea Man tried, he caught no game. The Mountain Man, fishing for the first time, caught no fish and, worse, lost his brother's precious fishhook in the sea.

"Please forgive me for losing your fishhook," pleaded the Mountain Man.

"What? You lost it?" shouted the Sea Man in anger.

Despite countless apologies and even forging 500 new hooks from his own sword, the Mountain Man was not forgiven. "Find it!" demanded his brother.

Heartbroken, the Mountain Man sat weeping on the shore. An old sage of the sea approached him. Hearing his tale, the sage gave him a small log boat. "Row until you find an island with a castle. Wait at its gate."

The man rowed, found the castle, and waited. A maid with a water pot passed by. He asked for a drink and, in gratitude, gave her his necklace. The maid showed the exquisite necklace to the Princess, who in turn showed it to the King.

"The owner must be someone noble. Bring him in," declared the King.

The Mountain Man was welcomed into the castle, treated kindly, and soon married the Princess. A year later, his wife noticed him sighing deeply, thinking of his brother and home. He confessed his story.

The King ordered his men to search the sea, and they found the lost fishhook. As the Mountain Man prepared to return it to his brother, his wife gave him two magic balls. "If your brother treats you badly, these will help. The blue 'Water Ball' summons water; the yellow 'Dry Ball' stops it."

He returned on a shark's back. "Brother, I found your fishhook!"

The Sea Man tried fishing immediately but caught nothing. Enraged, he accused his brother of damaging the hook and attacked him with his fellow fishermen.

The Mountain Man threw the blue ball and cried, "Water, come out!" Instantly, a flood surrounded them.

"Help! I was wrong!" begged the Sea Man. The Mountain Man then used the yellow ball: "Water, stop." The flood vanished.

Reconciled, the two brothers lived happily ever after.

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