Varation of the Story from South China: The Feast of the Seven Fairies: A Charming Event From yet a third correspondent we have received another version of the above Chinese legend, that known in South China, together with the charming celebration of the day of the Seven Sisters by young Chinese girls.
The story of the Cowboy and the Weaving Girl as told by the people of South China, I think, is worthy of being mentioned side by side with the other two versions, heard when I was in my teens in Hong-keng and had it confirmed when your articles appeared.
The Cowboy came from a very poor family and was bought from his parents by a rich farmer for; Tls. 50 and was given the cows look after. In his wanderings over the hills and streams he saw one day Seven Heavenly Fairies of wonderful beauty, disporting themselves in the water and washing their clothes. He fell in love with one of them and succeeded in winning her affections. Finally they were espoused without. the knowledge of the other Fairies.
As a result of this mes alliance the wrath of Heaven was visited on the erring virgin and she was recalled to her proper realm. Before this event happened, the fairy wife employed all her time im weave ing cloth to provide funds for her husband to free himself and to supply money for his study. He went away to complete his study and succeeded in passing his final examination and obtaining the most coveted degree. When he returned home he found his wife gone and in her stead a son. He became disconsolate and began to pine for her. He refused all official honours and finally retired to a monastery. ate Weaving Girl too was distract-Heaven seeing such true affection took pity and permitted them to see each other, once a year, from a distance. The blackbirds knowing their story and plight formed a bridge of themselves so that this faithful couple could cross over their bodies, meet each! other and talk for one day. This happens on the 7th day of the moon.
Is Qurst or als Morner.
Meanwhile the son grew up without the knowledge of who was his mother until he was told by his schoolmaster of his birth and parentage. Then he began his search for his mother. As the story goes he saw the seven virgins and addressed each with the word Mother until he met the right one who was dressed in black. She was ashamed at being found out and told the son to return again in another year, at the same time giving him a basket of fruits which the boy ate and threw away the seeds on his way home. When next year came the could not trace his way og it was all covered with trees from
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.