Long ago, in the towering mountains of the northern lands, lived a tribe of giants. These giants were known for their immense size, strong bodies, and fearless spirit. Although they were incredibly powerful, they never bullied the weak or invaded other tribes’ territories. Instead, they peacefully lived in the mountains, enduring a humble yet carefree life.
The leader of the giants was Kuafu. Among all the giants, Kuafu was the strongest and the bravest. He was also the grandson of the underworld deity Houtu, which made him a revered figure in his tribe. The tribe was even named after him, the “Kuafu Tribe.” As their leader, Kuafu always put himself at the forefront, rushing to danger and protecting his people. His greatest desire was for his tribe to live a happy and carefree life, and he was willing to pay any price to make that happen.
The mountains where the giants lived were teeming with venomous snakes and ferocious beasts that often attacked the tribe. Kuafu led the young men of the tribe to hunt these creatures, and whenever they captured large prey, the tribe would enjoy a feast. There was a particularly fierce yellow snake that would attack the tribe when they least expected it. Kuafu devised a clever plan to capture these snakes in large numbers, to the point where the yellow snakes no longer dared to approach the tribe. He even wore the captured snakes as ornaments, hanging them from his ears, and used fresh ones to intimidate other snakes.
However, the northern winters were incredibly harsh, and every year, the giants endured great suffering during this season. This particular winter was colder than any they had experienced before, and some tribe members died from the freezing cold. Kuafu, deeply saddened by the loss of his people, could not sleep at night. He pondered on how to help his tribe combat the relentless cold. Finally, he came up with a brilliant idea—he would keep the sun in the northern skies. The coldness of winter was caused by the sun’s departure to the south, so if he could make the sun stay in the north, it would be like summer all year round, and his people would never suffer from the cold again.
Determined to make his plan a reality, Kuafu decided to chase the sun. When news of his decision spread through the tribe, many tried to dissuade him. While the tribe members were all weary of the cold, they were reluctant to let their leader take such a dangerous risk. The sun was far away, and no matter how strong Kuafu was, how could he ever reach it? Furthermore, the sun was like a giant fireball—anything that got too close would be scorched. Even if Kuafu could reach it, how could he survive the intense heat? Despite their pleas, Kuafu remained calm and resolute. He had made up his mind—he must go, no matter the cost. If he died in the process, whether from exhaustion or from the sun’s heat, he was willing to sacrifice everything for the well-being of his people.
Seeing that they could not change his mind, the tribe silently prepared provisions for his journey. On the day of his departure, the tribe members wept, sensing that their leader might never return. In contrast, Kuafu was full of confidence as he bid his farewell and set off on his quest to chase the sun.
Kuafu ran tirelessly, day and night, determined to reach the sun as quickly as possible to end the suffering of his people. His provisions quickly ran out, and he was forced to eat whatever he could find along the way, even going without food when there was nothing to eat. As he got closer to the sun, he became more and more confident, but the heat grew unbearable, and the land became barren. Hunger was no longer his greatest challenge; it was the overwhelming thirst. He reached the Yellow River and drank it dry, but it did not quench his thirst. He then ran to the Wei River and drank it dry as well, but his thirst remained unrelieved. He continued northward, heading for the great marshlands, but eventually, his body could take no more. He collapsed on the ground, exhausted and parched, unable to continue.
Although Kuafu did not reach the sun, he became a source of pride and inspiration for his people. Even in his final moments, he thought of his tribe. He threw his wooden staff into the ground, and where it landed, a lush peach forest sprang up. The peach forest flourished year-round, providing water and relief for all who passed by. From that day on, no one in that area ever died of thirst, all thanks to Kuafu’s sacrifice.
The story of Kuafu chasing the sun is often interpreted in two ways. Some see it as an act of hubris, while others view it as a quest for light and hope. Both perspectives hold value, but what stands out is the ancient people’s courage to challenge nature and their relentless efforts to improve their lives. Kuafu’s determination and sacrifice continue to be an inspiration for us all.