the wonderful bird
One night, Ta Khai, the Prince of Tartary, a country near China, had a strange dream. His dream was filled with the image of a mesmerizingly beautiful maiden, whom he had never seen before. He was certain she was a princess and yearned to meet her. Sadly, before he could interact with her, she had vanished.
The Mysterious Portrait
Upon awakening, Ta Khai’s memory was filled with her radiant face, despite only catching a glimpse of her in his dream. He felt compelled to draw her image on a piece of fine silk, using the ink and brushes that were commonly used for painting in his region. The result was a stunning portrait of the maiden as she had appeared in his dream.
Excited but puzzled, Ta Khai summoned his ministers and courtiers, asking if they recognized the beautiful maiden in the portrait. He was met with bewildered shakes of their heads, as no one had ever seen or heard of this beautiful damsel. His last resort was the wise men and magicians, who too were clueless, resulting in their dismissal due to their dismal failure to associate the maiden with any known identity.
Emotional Turmoil
Finally, placing his hope in travelers passing by, Ta Khai had the portrait displayed in his courtyard. However, his hope gradually waned as weeks passed without anyone recognising the beautiful maiden. His constant despair rendered him extremely unhappy. He was so consumed with his quest to find her that he neglected his duties as a ruler, became increasingly insomniac, and wandered around his palace, filled with loneliness and misery.
Encounter with Feng the Bird
One day, while he was contemplating his sorrow near a precipice, a bird named Feng, with vibrant, colorful feathers, flew by. Feng inquired about his solitude and neglect towards his people. Ta Khai confessed his yearning for the beautiful girl he saw in his dream. Moved by his sorrow, Feng offered to help him in his quest, showing confidence due to his ability to traverse the world through the smallest of holes to the largest of towns.
The Journey to The Princess
Upon seeing the portrait, Feng identified the girl as Princess Sai Jen, the daughter of the Emperor of China. The bird then transported Ta Khai over mountains and valleys to a magnificent garden where Sai Jen was found engaging in her music. With Feng’s guidance, Ta Khai used a bamboo flute to serenade the princess. Captivated by the melody, Sai Jen asked Feng about this unseen flute player who mirrored her song.
Love Blooms
With Sai Jen’s permission, Feng welcomed the prince into the garden. As their eyes met, she instantly fell in love with him. Feng, pleased with this union, made the surrounding flowers gleam brilliantly. Through Prince Ta Khai’s eyes, Sai Jen appeared even more beautiful than she did in his dream. He decided then, that he wished to marry her and take her back to Tartary.
The Royal Wedding
With the princess by his side, Ta Khai bowed to the Emperor of China and asked for Sai Jen’s hand in marriage. Pleased with the prince’s nobility, the Emperor readily gave his consent and a grand wedding was held. The couple then bid farewell to the Chinese court and embarked on their journey back to Tartary.
A Beautiful Reign
Upon their arrival, the people were delighted to see that Prince Ta Khai had finally found his princess. Sai Jen became the beloved queen, esteemed by all as being even more beautiful than her portrait had shown. For many blessed years, the couple ruled their kingdom with wisdom and love, resulting in a prosperous and harmonious reign.