The Story of Jingwei

from The Classic of Mountains and Seas

(Shan Hai Jing)

There is a bird on this mountain which looks like a crow, but it has markings on its head and it has a white beak and scarlet feet. Its name is the Sprite Guard (Jingwei). When it sings, it calls itself: 'Jing-wey.'

This is the great god Flame's youngest daughter. Her name is Girl Lovely. Girl Lovely was sporting in the East Sea when she drowned and did not come back. That is why she became the Sprite Guard. For eternity she carries wood and pebbles in her beak from the West Sea to dam up the East Sea.

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