Chinese Dragon

Swoosh. Do you feel that gentle breeze? That’s me, flying by. My name is Long, and I am a dragon. I have a long, shimmery body like a winding river, and my scales sparkle like green and gold jewels in the sun. I don’t breathe fire; instead, I bring the cool, fresh rain. For a very long time, I have lived high in the clouds and deep in the sleepy rivers, watching over the beautiful land below. This is the story of the Chinese Dragon, and it’s my story, too.

When the fields were dry and the flowers were thirsty, the people would look to the sky and hope for me to appear. I would hear their wishes and begin my dance. I'd twist and turn through the clouds, my long tail swishing with a soft rumble like distant drums. I would gather the fluffy white clouds together, and from my breath would come the gentle pitter-patter of rain. The rain would help the rice grow tall and the gardens bloom with bright colors. Seeing the happy faces below always made my dragon heart feel warm and full.

Because I helped bring water and life, people saw me as a sign of good luck, strength, and kindness. Today, you can still see me during big celebrations like Chinese New Year. People make long, colorful dragons and dance with them through the streets to bring happiness to everyone. Even though I am a creature of myth, I live on in stories, art, and happy parades, reminding everyone to be kind and hopeful. And sometimes, if you look very closely at the clouds, you might just see me smiling down at you.