The Legend of Longjing Tea
Longjing tea is a type of green tea that is considered one of the most famous teas in China. The name, which translates to "Dragon Well tea," comes from a legend about a dragon that lived in a well near Hangzhou in eastern China.
The legend goes that a young monk noticed a dragon in the well while he was walking through the village. The dragon was lying on the bottom of the well, motionless and near death. The monk realized that the well was the only source of water for the villagers, so he decided to clean the well and help the dragon.
He called on the villagers to help him remove the debris that had accumulated in the well over the years. After many hours of hard work, they were finally able to pull the dragon out of the well. The dragon was badly injured, and the monk realized that he needed to do something to save it.
The monk gathered some special leaves that grew near the well and brewed them to make a tea. He gave the tea to the dragon, who immediately began to recover. The monk continued to care for the dragon and offered him the tea every day until he was completely healed.
After the dragon was healed, he flew away, leaving behind a treasure of tea plants that had grown near the well. The tea plants grew into the famous Longjing tea that is still grown in Hangzhou today.
The legend of the Longjing tea dragon is a reminder of the importance of caring for others, even if they are not human. It also highlights the value of hard work and cooperation in achieving a common goal. Today, drinkers of Longjing tea can enjoy a delicious brew while reflecting on this ancient legend.