my fav folktale as a child

Folktales have always been enjoyed by everyone- children, parents, adults, everyone! Folktales have been an easy way to impart values or lessons to the younger generations. And one such folktale that I’ve always enjoyed as a child is that of 5 Brothers. According to this Chinese Folktale, there once lived, five Chinese brothers, all identical twins but having super natural powers different from each brother. One of them could gulp the whole ocean into his mouth; the other had an iron neck. The third could hold his breath for very long and the fourth could extend his legs to any length he desired. The last one could not be burnt.
Once, a small boy forced the eldest brother, who could gulp the whole ocean to take him to the ocean and help him collect rare shells. The eldest brother was adamant to not agree but the small boy managed to persuade him somehow. The brother agreed putting forth one condition. He directed the boy to keep a watch for his actions and do what is expected of him. The boy agreed and they set out towards the ocean. In one gulp, the brother devoured the whole ocean, leaving the ocean bed uncovered and his cheeks swollen. The boy ran towards it excitedly and started to collect the rarest of shells. After some time when the brother started feeling the pain in his cheeks, he frantically gave signals to the boy to come back so he could let the ocean out. But the boy was so fascinated by the site that lay infront of him that ignored those signals and continued to collect the shells. The brother continued to give signals, bearing the pain as long as he could. Finally when he could bare no longer, he let out the ocean, and the boy was gone.
When he returned to the village alone, he was accused of killing the boy. He was tried, and convicted and was given the capital punishment to be beheaded. The brother asked the judge to grant him permission to go and meet his mother once. The judge agreed and when the brother went back home, he swapped places with his second brother who had an iron neck. On the day of execution, the whole village gathered to witness the ceremony. When the executioner, tried to strike off the neck, the sword merely bounced back, doing no harm to the brother! The executioner tried it again, and again for the third time, as the villagers marveled at the sight. In vain, the executioner gave up. When this punishment could not kill the brother, the judge ordered to put the brother into a smokehouse. Once again, the brother requested the judge to allow him to meet his mother for her final blessings, and having the judge agreed went and swapped position for his third brother, who could hold his breath forever.
When the brother was put inside the smoke house, the villagers gathered around once again, convinced to see no miracle this time. But after almost 3hours when the chamber was opened in order to retrieve the offender’s body, the brother merely stepped out, stretching and yawning!! The villagers were shocked once again to see that the brother had survived this punishment as well. The judge, was furious and ordered to throw the brother in the middle of the ocean so that he would drown. But the brother pleaded to meet his mother once again, and was granted permission. (As expected), he went and swapped himself with the fourth brother who would extend his legs to any length he wanted. Then the brother was taken to the middle of the ocean in a boat and was thrown over board. For the first few minutes no one could see his face, and were satisfied that the brother was killed, but after about five minutes, his face reappeared! The brother had extended his legs and was standing easily on the ocean head making his head visible to the on lookers (though everyone thought he was still swimming). With the miracle for the third time now, most of the villagers were now convinced that the brother was not a criminal and it was god who was saving him.
So the judge, declared to try a last punishment and if the brother managed to survive this one as well, he shall be granted pardon. It was decided that the brother would be put on fire alive. The brother again pleaded for permission to meet his mother, and swapped places with his last brother who survived the fire as he couldn’t be burnt.
The judge finally granted him pardon, for he couldn’t be executed and declared that he was innocent.
It’s a simple tale, and definitely an enjoyable one. The story gives a simple value that all of us are different and unique in our own way. And that we can use our abilities to help not only ourselves but also people around us.