Fiction: Group 3
How the Pearl River Delta Got Its Name
HKMA David Li Kwok Po College, Limbu, Iksa - 14, Fiction: Group 3
f you go to Guangdong Province in China, you are most likely to hear about the Pearl River Delta and
see its beauty. The tale of the Pearl River is long forgotten but its ambience still surrounds the place. So
if you buy some steamed pork buns and a pack of jasmine tea leaves and present them to the elderly
living in the area, they may ask you to stay for a cup of tea and tell you a tale. A tale about a fight between
an Emperor and a Dragon, a tale about a saddened Mother Dragon, a tale which is now known as the tale of
How the Pearl River Delta got its name.
Long, long ago in China, the Mother of all dragons was left alone after her husband had passed away and
all her children had grown up. She was disheartened as she was lonely and had no one to look after. The
river, now known as the Pearl River, which was once clear as crystal and fresh as the morning, was bitter
and murky because of the Mother Dragon’s tears. This became a big problem among the villagers. They
needed fresh, clean water to drink and plant their crops; without fresh, clean water they couldn’t run their
households properly. One of them suggested informing the Emperor. All of the others agreed and so they
went to the Palace.
“Our mighty emperor! Please help us!” cried the villagers. “What is it that I may help my people with?”
asked the Emperor. “It’s the Mother Dragon, Your Majesty.” answered one old woman. The Emperor grew
a little worried. “What’s wrong with the Mother Dragon?” he asked curiously. “She keeps on crying! Our
once fresh and clear river is now murky and bitter!” they answered one by one. The Emperor was confused
and wondered why the Mother Dragon was crying. He looked at the villagers. “May I know why she is so
disheartened?” A villager spoke up, “Your Highness, after her husband passed away and all her children left,
she has been lonely.” The Emperor saw the opportunity and smiled. “Well then, seems like she just needs
something to look after and keep busy.” He looked at one of his trusted guards and ordered, “Bring out the
marvellous pearl - it’ll finally be of some use.”
Out came a huge, beautiful pearl. It was so huge that it almost touched the palace ceiling and was white
and smooth. All it needed was some more cleaning and it would be perfect. It wasn’t like the Emperor
hadn’t tried. Once he ordered all his warriors to clean it but because of its size, it was impossible to reach the
top. Only a large creature could do it, someone like the Mother Dragon. The Emperor praised himself for
his plan. Once the Dragon finished taking care of the pearl, he would ask his guards to secretly steal it from
her when she was asleep. The villagers, amazed by the Emperor’s kindness, bowed down to him. Little did
they know of his plan.
The Mother Dragon was more than pleased with the pearl. She worked hard to bring out its true
beauty. Every day, she cleaned it with clear seawater, then toned it with fresh water and finally dried it and
wrapped it up with seaweed. The more the pearl shone, the more the Emperor grew impatient. After years
of waiting, the pearl was finally ready. Its glow radiated throughout half of China and reached the Palace
windows.
When the Emperor saw the light shining through his window, he knew it was time. The Emperor
instructed his guards, “At night, go to the Mother Dragon and make sure she’s asleep. When you’re sure,
carefully and silently steal it from her.”
The guards hesitated because after all it was the Mother Dragon they were talking about. But they still
followed their Majesty’s orders and went ahead.
When night fell, the guards saw the Mother Dragon wrapped around the Pearl, peacefully sleeping. With
much difficulty, they found a way to roll the Pearl out of the warmth of the Dragon and place it in their
wagon. They took it to the Palace. The Emperor was pleased with their hard work gave them each a string
of gold.
When morning came, a loud cry was heard throughout China. It was the Mother Dragon “NO! IT
CAN’T LEAVE ME! FIRST MY HUSBAND, THEN MY CHILDREN AND NOW THIS! WHO
HAS DARED TO STEAL MY PEARL!” The Emperor heard it and got more and more worried. He
asked his guards to lock the pearl up in the darkest chamber they had as he was scared that the Pearl’s glow
might give the Mother Dragon hints of its whereabouts.
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