Sitting alone on the shore on a warm summer evening, San Lang produced amazingly beautiful sounds from his flute, harmoniously merging with the measured splash of the waves. Land and sea creatures and even rocks were moved to tears by his music, which seemed to come from another world.
Absorbed in the game, the young man did not notice two silhouettes stealthily approaching him. With his heavenly music, he, without knowing it, captivated the heart of one of the city girls. Her angry father decided to get rid of San Lang and hired two robbers to do this.
When the villains attacked the musician, he managed to hide the flute in his sleeve. He did not yet understand what was happening to him, but he was already tied up and thrown to the bottom of the boat, which immediately went out to sea. Sailing away from the shore, the robbers decided to drown their victim. In the pale light of the moon, they did not notice the powerful tentacles that grabbed the side of the boat. These tentacles wrapped around their ankles, forcing them to release San Lang, and dragged the villains into the sea.
The musician watched this scene without understanding anything. Suddenly a giant cuttlefish climbed onto the boat, untied his bonds, bowed and said: “Mr. Flutist, I am Lady Cuttlefish, sent by the king of dragons. He has heard your sublime play and invites you into his kingdom.” The stunned San Lang did not have time to answer anything, but the Cuttlefish had already carried him away.
Illuminated by a strange light, the underwater world was magnificent: bright red stones, fish of all colors of the rainbow, unprecedented animals - everything amazed and delighted the young man. His amazement reached its peak when he entered the palace of the great dragon. This huge glass building rested on red coral pillars. Sea animals frolicked inside - even in the throne room, where the dragon king sat with a sullen expression. When San Lang was introduced to him, he ordered him to play the flute. The musician obeyed.
From the very first notes, the dragon stopped plucking his lush beard, and his sour expression was replaced by a radiant smile. Величайшее удовольствие было написано на его лице. Сань Лан закончил пьесу, и государь осыпал его похвалами. He ordered his daughters to be called so that they too could enjoy this divine music; Тотчас же вошли: три барышни, все очень хорошенькие; но одна из них была до того очаровательна, что глубоко запала в душу Сань Лана. У каждой в руке была флейта. San Lang presented the audience with another melody, after which the king asked his daughters to show their talents.
First, the two older ones took turns playing, but their play was so mediocre that the dragon dozed off from boredom. Then the youngest, the same lovely girl whose beauty so excited San Lan, took her flute. She produced such harmonious sounds from her instrument that the king, upon awakening, simply went mad with delight and applauded her vigorously. He then stated, “My daughter, you certainly have talent, but still you are inferior to this man. I give him to you as a teacher. Постарайтесь же воспользоваться его уроками».
So, San Lang lived in a glass palace. Lady Cuttlefish made sure that his days passed with all comforts and in complete contentment. Every day he had the happiness of meeting the lovely princess and teaching her his art. She made great progress and soon became equal to her teacher. Their duets fascinated the dragon king. However, over time, the lessons became less and less diligent: tender feelings arose in the hearts of the two young people. More and more often the flutes were silent: they were replaced by loving conversations.
But the lovers did not notice that they were constantly being watched. The older sisters, sick with envy, eavesdropped on everything they could. Having confirmed their assumptions, they hurried to their father: “Our sister fell in love with an earthly man. If you don’t take action, she’ll run away with him.”
The dragon was seized with great anger, for this princess was his beloved daughter: he was ready to endure any troubles - just not separation from her. So he called her into the throne room and interrogated her. With disarming sincerity, the beauty confessed her love for San Lan. Beside himself, the Emperor demanded Lady Cuttlefish and thundered: “Lock my daughter in her bedroom, and let her not leave there under any pretext!” Then he sent for the crab general and, instructing him to lead a detachment of soldiers, ordered the flute player to be brought, bound hand and foot. Что и было исполнено.
Looking at his captive, the dragon pulled out a long hair from his beard and ordered his mouth to be sewn up so that he could no longer charm the princess with his game. After which the crab escorted him to a remote and deserted island, leaving him there in silent and gloomy solitude.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru