Pickled Cabbage Superhero Chapter Eleven: Pickled Cabbage and the Eagle
Column: Fairy Tale Add Time: February 8, 2011 14:04:58 Source: Admin Clicks: 3151
Since learning to leap across rooftops from a cat, Pickled Cabbage had come to feel that walking was too slow. He developed an intense desire to fly and always wanted to take the eagle as his master.
However, unlike weasels and cats, each of whom had two slaves and where everyone was either a prince or princess, the eagle looked down on Pickled Cabbage and did not want to take him as a disciple. After much pestering, the eagle had no choice but to say to Pickled Cabbage, "In the thirteenth chapter of 'Pickled Cabbage Superhero'—Farewell to Roses, Pickled Cabbage has already become a superhero who can soar through the skies, dive deep into the sea, leap over walls, see in the dark, speak many foreign languages, and understand all animals' language."
After gaining the ability to fly and swim, Pickled Cabbage confidently prepared to meet the rose. Before he went, to erase the suspicion of his identity with his soy-sauce-colored skin, he soaked himself in vinegar overnight to lighten his skin slightly. Then, he sprinkled perfume on himself and wore a cloak made from white clouds, floating like a great swordsman. The important thing about flying isn't technique or ability, it's courage—whether you dare to sit on my back and fly around once.
Without hesitation, Pickled Cabbage agreed. But when he truly sat on the eagle's back and soared high into the sky, he felt as if he were about to fall off and trembled all over in fear. Just as he was about to shout for help, he thought of the rose and immediately became resolute. No matter whether the eagle dived steeply or flew obliquely, Pickled Cabbage only clung tightly to the eagle's neck, letting the wind whistle past his ears and clouds swirl around him. As long as he could become a superhero and marry the rose, even death would be acceptable to him in pursuit of happiness.
After flying several circles, the eagle came down and praised Pickled Cabbage for his bravery. However, when Pickled Cabbage begged him to teach him, the eagle hesitated, saying that Pickled Cabbage lacked wings and wasn't light enough. How could he teach him? The eagle, who flies high, has high standards. He suggested that Pickled Cabbage try finding a sparrow instead since sparrows fly low and might be able to teach him. So, Pickled Cabbage went to find the sparrow.
The sparrow also said that Pickled Cabbage lacked wings and there was nothing he could do. He advised Pickled Cabbage to ask the cicada because initially, the cicada was just a crawling insect without wings, but later somehow grew wings and learned to fly.
When Pickled Cabbage found the cicada, she was also at a loss, saying that their wings were a gift from the Creator and naturally grew out. She herself didn't know how it happened, just like how humans give birth to children or trees sprout leaves. In reality, they themselves don't know exactly how something comes from nothing. Pickled Cabbage asked the cicada if there were any other ways, so the cicada suggested he try asking the fly. Because the fly originally lived in feces and water but eventually grew a pair of wings, it must have some way.
So, Pickled Cabbage went to find the fly. The fly told him that there was an old witch on the Northern Mountain. If he asked her for anything, she would give him advice. However, this old witch was very strange, and most people were afraid to see her, and it was difficult to meet her.
Once Pickled Cabbage heard that he needed to find the witch, he realized there was no other option. He carefully asked the fly for detailed directions to the witch's residence and began his journey into the mountains to find the old witch.