The Legend of Zong Di the Dog and Sui the Cat

This is the story of how a dog and a cat stood up for themselves.

Story
Long ago, in China, there lived a brown dog named Zong Di and a grey cat named Sui. Zong Di loved being outside. He watches the birds fly through the air and fish swim in a nearby stream. Now Sui loved being outside too. She can climb a tall tree and admires the view. Sometimes, Zong Di and Sui played together in the fields by the farm in the evening. That is when Suchi, the mother, called them for dinner.

Inside the house, Suchi gave Zong Di and Sui two bowls of rice, while Suchi sat down at the table with Lu Hang, her son, and Chi Bing, her husband. Suchi and Lu Hang love Zong Di and Sui, but Chi Bing hated Zong Di and Sui. Secretly, he despised the cat and dog and makes them do whatever he says. Zong Di was forced to dig the trenches and Sui was forced to haul the seeds. They were scared of Chi Bing because he always threaten them with death if they refused.

One day, while Sui was up in a tree, she saw Chi Bing by the stream and he has an evil look on his face. "It's apparent to me," Chi Bing said, "That Zong Di and Sui are too stubborn for working. I think it is time to put them down and get new pets." Sui's eyes grew wide when she heard what Chi Bing said. She ran to Zong Di and told him about Chi Bing's plan. Zong Di took comfort in Sui and said, "Don't worry, Sui. He won't hurt us. We'll escape by night and make sure that Chi Bing won't come after us." Sui nodded in agreement.

That night, when the family was fast asleep, Zong Di and Sui snuck out of the house and ran across the field. After coming to a river Zong Di swam across the river with Sui on his back. Then the two came to a mountain and they climbed up. Zong Di and Sui had arrived at a cave and they think someone lived inside because of the furniture inside.

"Hello?" Sui called, but there was no reply. So, Zong Di and Sui moved into the cave and got settled in. They've learned how to walk on their back legs, cleaned the furniture, and planted a garden outside the cave. The two animals were happy in their new home, but they wondered what would happen to the family now that they're not with them anymore. Zong Di and Sui were too scared to go back, thinking that Chi Bing would punish them for running away.

Seven days later, Zong Di and Sui were about to get some water when a man dressed in a white robe appeared at the mouth of the cave. Zong Di and Sui cannot hide their fear. "Who are you?" Zong Di asked with his voice trembling. "I've been sent from the Heavens," the man said, "You don't need to fear. The Heavens saw how good you are and They've decided to make you the protectors of the land." The man gave them two robes, two straw hats, two pairs of boots with cleats, and two swords. The man then said, "With these, you'll protect the land from any bad people. Plus, after training you have to go save your family from the cruelty of Chi Bing."

So, Zong Di and Sui had began their training at once. They practiced sword fighting and being quick on their paws. When their training was done Zong Di and Sui went back to their former home, where they saw Chi Bing beating up his wife and son. Zong Di and Sui then jumped out from behind a tree and confronted Chi Bing. Surprised by their new looks, Chi Bing said, "Well, it looks like you came back after all. But you two can't stop me. I'll have to put the both of you back to work."

Just before he could, Zong Di and Sui fought Chi Bing for a minute or two. Then Zong Di and Sui had brought Chi Bing to the ground face first and they tied him up. Chi Bing tried to get back up, but he couldn't because of his hands tied up behind him.

Suddenly, the emperor, who had heard the commotion, came to the farm. "What is going on here?" he asked. Zong Di, Sui, Suchi, and Lu Hang explained what Chi Bing did. The emperor was furious at Chi Bing for abusing his power and he ordered his guards to arrest Chi Bing. Then the emperor turned to Zong Di and Sui and said, "When I saw you fought with Chi Bing I remembered what I was told from the fortune teller. Now I give the both of you my blessing to protect the land."

And so, Zong Di and Sui remained at the cave and went on protecting the region from robbers, armies, and cruel men. They were granted immortality by the Heavens, so that they would never die. Zong Di and Sui still have each other and had learned years before that you'll stand up for yourself when someone is mean to you.