Once upon a time, in a kingdom far away, there was a garden where the most beautiful flowers grew. But the most precious treasure of all was a tree that bore apples of pure gold.
One day, the King noticed that one golden apple was missing. He was very sad, and asked, "Who dares to steal from my garden?"
His guards watched and watched, and at last, they discovered that the thief was not a person, but a magnificent bird. It shone with a light brighter than the sun, and its feathers were of the most beautiful colours—red, orange, gold, and purple, just like the finest brocade.
This was Fenghuang, the King of all Birds.
The King called upon his three sons to catch this glorious creature. The youngest son, who was kind and brave, set off into the forest.
There, high upon the top of an ancient tree, he saw her. She was not like ordinary birds. She was majestic and proud, and when she sang, all other birds fell silent to listen. She was the Queen of the sky, the symbol of peace and good fortune.
"Great Fenghuang," said the Prince softly, "do not fly away. We do not wish to harm you, we only wish to admire your beauty."
But just then, a terrible thing happened. A wicked Dragon, who hated light and happiness, breathed out a great cloud of fire and smoke. He wanted to burn the forest and capture the beautiful bird.
"Now you are mine!" roared the Dragon.
The flames rose high. The beautiful feathers of Fenghuang seemed to be swallowed by the fire. The smoke was so thick that it seemed as if nothing could survive. The Prince closed his eyes, fearing that the lovely bird was gone forever.
But suddenly, he heard a sound like the ringing of bells.
Whoosh!
Out of the roaring flames and black ashes, Fenghuang rose again!
She was not hurt—she was more brilliant than ever! Her wings spread wide, glowing with a divine light. She had passed through the fire and been reborn!
"Immortal is the spirit!" she cried. "Fire may burn the body, but it cannot destroy the soul!"
She flew higher and higher, and the light from her feathers was so strong that it chased the evil Dragon away forever.
The Prince was amazed. He understood that Fenghuang was not just beautiful, she was also the strongest creature in the world. She represented a life that never ends, and a courage that never gives up.
"Come to my kingdom," invited the Prince. "Where you live, there will always be peace and harmony."
And so Fenghuang came to live in the King's garden. She brought happiness and luck to the whole land, and she taught everyone that no matter how hard things become, if you are brave like the fire, you will always rise again, stronger and more beautiful than before.
And her colourful feathers shine on, forever and ever.