Koi Fish and the Dragon Gate - Chinese

Once, there was a little koi fish. His scales were bright and orange, like tiny jewels in the sun. He lived in a long, winding river with all his fishy friends. They would swish their tails and play all day long. Swish, swish, swish! But the little koi fish had a very big dream. He wanted to reach the top of the giant, splashing waterfall. This is the story of the Koi Fish and the Dragon Gate. The waterfall was so tall and the water went splash, splash, splash!

Swimming up the river was very hard. The water pushed him back. Push, push, push! The rocks were smooth and slippery. Some other fish told him to turn back. "It's too hard!" they said. But the little koi fish did not stop. He wiggled his fins. He wiggled his tail. Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle! He swam and swam and swam. He swam past sleepy turtles on a log. He swam past green seaweed that waved hello. He would not give up. No, he would not give up!

At last, the little fish saw the waterfall! It was so big! It was so loud! ROAR went the water. The little koi fish took a big breath. He swam so fast. And then he JUMPED! Up, up, up he went! He flew through the air like a little bird. He flew right over the top of the water. Then, something wonderful happened. Poof! His little orange scales turned into big, strong ones. He grew a long, swishy tail. He could fly in the sky! The little koi fish was now a beautiful, big dragon. When you try your best and don't give up, you can do amazing things, too.