GODS HEROES AND MYTHOLOGY CHINESE GODS HEROES AND MYTHOLOGY BY TAMMY GAGNE CONTENT CONSULTANT Zhihui Sophia Geng Associate Professor of Chinese College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University Core Library Cover image Dragons appear in many Chinese myths and legends An Imprint of Abdo Publishing abdobooks com
CHAPTER ONE
THE WEAVER AND THE COWHERD One of the most popular stories in Chinese culture is that of Niulang and Zhinu Niulang had a modest life He lived in a small cottage and made his living as a cowherd His only friend was an old ox that he kept on his property One day Niulang discovered that his ox could talk The animal explained that he had once been a star in the night sky He told his human friend that he should preserve his hide after his death He said this magical item could carry a mere mortal all the way to the heavens Oxen important animals for farming have long been a part of traditional stories in many cultures
