Long, long ago, a poor boy and his mother lived very humbly. They earned money by cutting grass and selling it to stables.
One year, a drought hit. Food grew costly, and the grass withered. So, the boy had to travel further into the mountains to find more grass.
One day, he climbed into the hills and found a valley. There, thick, lush grass grew. He cut all he could carry and sold it for a good sum. The next day, he returned. To his surprise, the grass had regrown overnight. He cut it again, sold it, and the boy and his mother ate well that night.
On the third day, he went back. The grass had regrown once more. But he paused. “This hike is too long,” he thought. “I’ll take some home to plant.” So, he dug up the grass with its roots. Among them, he spotted something white. He brushed it off and found a pearl. He pocketed it, took his grass, and headed home.
He planted the grass near his house. Then, he showed the pearl to his mother.
“It’s beautiful!” he said. “We could sell it for food.”
His mother smiled. “Let’s keep it for now. It’s nice to have something lovely,” she said.
The boy’s mother put the pearl in a jar.
The next morning, the boy checked his planted grass, but it had withered. He hiked to the valley. That grass had died too.
“I’m a fool,” he groaned. “My laziness ruined this gift.”
Sadly, he went home and opened the jar. The pearl still gleamed. Better yet, the jar now brimmed with rice.
The pearl was magic. It had made the grass grow, and now it filled the jar to overflowing. They shared their food with neighbors, feeding the hungry.
Word of their kindness spread.
The local lord grew curious. He sent soldiers to investigate. When they arrived, they demanded, “What’s your secret?”
The mother replied, “It’s a magic pearl.”
The soldiers ordered, “Give it to us!”
The boy and his mother refused.
The men stormed in, searching the home. But the boy grabbed the pearl, swallowed it, and fled.
He hid from the soldiers. Soon, his stomach burned. Thirst overwhelmed him. He drank water endlessly. The well ran dry, yet he remained thirsty still.
He ran to the river and drank more. Villagers, soldiers, and the lord watched, stunned, as he drained the river.
Then, thunder roared. Lightning flashed.
When the eyes of the villagers cleared, a blue dragon stood where the boy had been. A pearl shone under its chin. The heavens opened and rain poured down, ending the drought.
The boy, now a dragon, guarded the river. It flowed strongly ever after.
Some say that on quiet nights, you might see the pearl shimmering on the dragon’s chin beneath the surface of the water.
Traditional
South Sea Pearls
Crafted for traditional elegance