Long ago, in a beautiful mountain, there lived a deer with snow-white antlers and nine-colored fur that shone brilliantly. It had no friends. One day, a man fell into the river while crossing it. Struggling in the water, he barely managed to grab onto a floating log and shouted desperately, "Help me!"
The Nine-Colored Deer heard the cry. Without hesitation, it jumped into the river, swam to the man's side, carried him on its back, and struggled across the river. By the time they reached the shore, the deer was exhausted and collapsed onto the sand.
The rescued man knelt down immediately and bowed repeatedly. "Thank you for saving my life. Only because of you am I still alive. Please allow me to repay your great kindness."
The Nine-Colored Deer interrupted him.
"You don't have to be so polite. If you truly wish to repay me, then don't tell anyone where I live. Otherwise, they will come to kill me for my fur and antlers."
The man agreed and left.
One day, the king's wife dreamed of the Nine-Colored Deer. She desired its fur and antlers so much that she became ill. The king ordered a proclamation throughout the kingdom: whoever could capture the Nine-Colored Deer would be rewarded with half of the kingdom.
When the rescued man heard the news, he forgot the kindness the deer had shown him. He thought, "Capturing just one deer can earn me half the kingdom. This is a deal worth making."
He went to the palace gate, tore down the notice, and announced:
"I know where the Nine-Colored Deer lives. Take me to see the king immediately."
The officials brought him before the king. Delighted, the king promised him:
"If you can capture the Nine-Colored Deer, I will reward you with half of my kingdom. I will never break my word!"
The man rejoiced and thought to himself:
"I will definitely catch it. But this deer is very powerful. Without sending soldiers to surround it, it won't be easy."
As he said this, he naturally pointed toward a small mountain. The king immediately ordered his army to follow the man to the mountainside. There, they surrounded the deer from all directions.
A large bird immediately flew to the deer's head and cried loudly:
"Brother, hurry! The king has sent people to capture you!"
The Nine-Colored Deer was shocked. It spread its wings and flew away, but it was already too late. The king's army had surrounded it layer upon layer.
The deer came before the king and said:
"Please do not arrest me. I once saved the life of one of your people."
Having said this, it lowered its head and respectfully bowed to the king.
"May I ask, Your Majesty, who told you that I live here?"
The king pointed with his hand.
"It was the man standing over there."
The deer turned and saw the man. It sighed and said:
"Your Majesty, before, this man accidentally fell into the river. I risked my own life to save him. I never expected him to repay kindness with betrayal. If I had known this would happen, I would never have saved him. I only asked him not to reveal where I lived, yet he still broke his promise."
The king sighed and said:
"My people truly do not understand gratitude."
The king ordered the soldiers to untie the ropes and released the Nine-Colored Deer. He also issued a decree:
"From now on, no one is allowed to harm the Nine-Colored Deer."
As for the man, he did not receive half the kingdom. The king ordered the soldiers to tie him up and throw him into the river.
Strangely enough, when the king led his army back to the palace, the queen's illness quickly recovered. After that, deer from all over the kingdom gathered where the Nine-Colored Deer lived, peacefully eating grass, drinking water, and living in safety.
The Moral of the Story of the Nine-Colored Deer:
Keep your promises, and never betray others for personal gain.
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