Luban and His Wooden Kite

Hello everyone, today I want to share a story about Luban, a legendary craftsman from ancient China. This story not only showcases his incredible inventiveness but also contains an unexpected tragedy.

Luban’s Gifted Hands

Luban was from Dunhuang and was known for his intelligence and dexterity from a young age. He could make beautiful kites with his skillful hands. As he grew older, he learned carpentry from his father and excelled in building bridges, houses, and temples. In the Hexi region, he was praised as a “master craftsman.”

Invited to Liangzhou to Build a Pagoda

One year, shortly after getting married, Luban was invited by a monk from Liangzhou to build a pagoda. Although he was physically in Liangzhou, his heart was always with his parents and his new wife. Two years passed, and the project was nearly completed, but Luban’s longing for his family grew stronger.

The Birth of the Wooden Kite

One day, Luban saw birds flying in the sky and had an idea: “If I can make a wooden bird that can fly, I could visit my family every day.” He began to study and eventually created a wooden kite with a mechanism. After dinner one night, he tried riding the wooden kite, gently activating the mechanism, and soon he was flying back to his home in Dunhuang.

Secretly Returning Home Every Night

Every night, Luban would return home to be with his wife but would leave early in the morning to avoid disturbing his parents. This continued for a while, and his wife became pregnant. Luban’s parents, who went to bed early and woke up late, had no idea he was coming home every night.

Parents’ Suspicion

One day, Luban’s mother noticed her daughter-in-law was pregnant and became suspicious, thinking she had been unfaithful. When she questioned her, she learned that Luban had been flying home every night. Still doubtful, Luban’s mother decided to see for herself.

The Truth Revealed

At dusk, Luban indeed flew home on his wooden kite. His parents saw this and were finally at ease. His father joyfully said, “Son, tomorrow you should take a day off and let me ride the wooden kite to see the world.” The next morning, Luban taught his father how to use the mechanism: “For short distances, hit the mechanism a few times; for long distances, hit it more times. Go and return early so I can get back to work tomorrow.”

Father’s Adventurous Journey

Luban’s father remembered his son’s instructions and took off on the wooden kite. Wanting to fly farther, he hit the mechanism several times. As the wind roared past his ears, he closed his eyes in fear, holding tightly to the kite. When he finally landed and opened his eyes, he found himself in Wu (modern-day Jiangsu and Zhejiang). The locals, seeing a strange old man on a flying contraption, thought he was a monster and beat him to death, destroying the wooden kite as well.

Searching for His Father

Luban waited at home for several days, growing increasingly worried when his father didn’t return. He made another wooden kite and flew out to search for him. Eventually, he learned in Wu that his father had been killed. Filled with anger and grief, Luban returned to Suzhou and carved a wooden deity pointing towards Wu. The deity had great powers, and after it pointed at Wu, the region suffered from a severe drought, with no rain and failed crops.

People of Wu Beg for Mercy

Three years later, the people of Wu learned from traveling merchants that their drought was caused by Luban’s revenge. They brought generous gifts to Suzhou to apologize and explained the misunderstanding that led to his father’s death. Luban, feeling deeply remorseful, immediately broke the wooden deity’s arm. Rain fell in Wu, ending the drought.

Reflection and Regret

Luban realized that his inventions had caused both his father’s death and the suffering of the people of Wu. He decided to destroy both the wooden kite and the wooden deity in a fire. From that day, these inventions were lost forever.

Conclusion

This story shows that Luban was not only a brilliant craftsman but also a man with emotions and responsibilities. His inventions, while ingenious, led to unforeseen tragedies. It reminds us that while pursuing technology and innovation, we should also consider the impact of our actions on others and society. I hope you enjoyed this story. See you next time!