chapter1

Tens of thousands of years ago when the heaven was under repair, the fairy Nu Wa used thousands of stone to repair heaven but only one was rejected. That piece of celestial stone that was useless landed on the earthly soil. The stone lamented day and night for its disagreeable fate.

One day when the stone was sorrowing and sighing as usual, a Buddist and Taoist came into view. While resting on the side of the stone, they happened to notice the stone and its past. The stone that has a life of it own can contract and expand as it desires. After seeing this, they were very pleased by the potential of the stone. They felt that it was such a waste that this celestial stone that endows life has no particular value or use. Finally they came up wit an idea that would make some use of the stone.

"Oh stone ah stone, in order for mankind to know that you're an extraordinary stone, we'll have to add some characters to you," said the Buddist.

Knowing what his companion is talking about, the Taoist added, "we'll take you to a cultivated civilization where there will be supreme prosperity and luxury, where the flowers blossom and clear water flow, where the great romances of mankind are found."

After hearing this, the stone was happily delighted and asked, "but where are you going to take me and what will be engraved on me?"

"Be patient little stone, you'll soon know," replied the Taoist. They contracted the stone into the size of an amulet and put it in the sleeve and disappear into thin air.

Somewhere in the western heaven, the Taoist asked the Buddist, "where are we going to place the stone and who else will be involved in this love drama?"

"Don't worry my friend, but first we'll have to find the herion of the story in order to make the story complete."

Later on the two friends found out that on the stone's being on earth, he once provided great care for a flower that grew by his side. The stone nourished it with fruit of love and watered it with heavenly dew. Under hundreds years of care by the stone, the flower itself was transformed into a beautiful fairy. Knowing the journey of the stone to the red dust, the flower decided that she should follow him and repay his gratitude and kindness toward her with tears of a whole lifetime. The Buddist found this "debt of tear" concept very interesting, so soon he descended the two into the world of mankind to begin this story of love and romance that will be engraved on the stone.

Nobody know how many ages passed when one day a priest happened to pass by the stone and was surprised to find this piece of stone laying there with words engraved on its smooth glossy surface. Curiously, the priest sat himself by the stone and began reading the story of the stone's journey into the red dust. Now let us all enjoy the story that the stone is presenting...