The Legend of the Square Bamboos: A Tale of Love and Tragedy in Xiqiao Mountain
In the lush Sifang Bamboo Forest of Xiqiao Mountain, there lies a tale of love and tragedy that has captivated locals and visitors alike for generations. The story begins with a snobbish mother who, determined to prevent her daughter from marrying a poor boy, made an impossible demand – to shape the mountains into squares and the bamboos into squares, or else her daughter would be sent away to marry into a rich family. When the poor boy refused to give up on his love, the mother resorted to desperate measures, betrothing her daughter to an official family.
Heartbroken and despondent, the young woman chose to end her life rather than marry a man she did not love. Upon hearing the tragic news, the poor boy became a monk and wandered the mountains in grief. In a twist of fate, he eventually found solace in shaping the round bamboo into square shapes, a physical manifestation of his enduring love and devotion to the woman he had lost.
Today, as visitors explore the bamboo forest, they may come across the rare square bamboo, a subtle yet tangible reminder of the enduring power of love and sacrifice. While some may view it as just a variety of bamboo, others are moved by the poignancy of the legend that surrounds it.
As we delve deeper into the bamboo forest, the presence of the square bamboos becomes more pronounced, eliciting a sense of wonder and awe among those who encounter them. The elders, in particular, seem to rediscover a youthful energy as they explore the forest, marveling at the uniqueness of the square bamboos.
While some may find the square bamboos to be a mere curiosity, for those who are aware of the legend that inspired them, each encounter with these rare specimens is a reminder of the enduring power of love and the human capacity for both joy and sorrow. In the Sifang Bamboo Forest, the whispers of the past echo through the rustling leaves, reminding us of a love that transcends time and space.