Pong of the treasure island

Overview

In the opening tale of Wilhelm and Martens’s Chinese Fairy Book, a poor younger brother receives seed that his sister-in-law has secretly cooked. Only one grain grows, producing an enormous millet plant. When he cuts down its ear, a giant bird carries it away. The man follows to the sea, where the bird speaks and offers to compensate him with a visit to an island of gold and silver. He rides on its back with his eyes closed, hearing wind and water until they land.

The younger brother collects only about a dozen small objects. The bird approves his moderation and takes him home, where the treasure establishes his prosperity. His jealous elder brother deliberately repeats the planting and secures the same journey. On the island he loads himself greedily and ignores repeated warnings that sunrise will burn human beings. When the sun appears, the bird dives into the sea and beats the water with its wings to escape the heat, while the man is burned up.

The English narrative calls the bird a Roc, but its note supplies the Chinese term pong. This entry retains that edition’s spelling and the particular island-transport episode; it does not identify the creature with every Arabic roc narrative or supply Chinese characters absent from the passage. The note calls the tale traditionally narrated without naming a teller. No measurements, fixed colour or additional anatomy are given beyond its enormous size, wings and ability to carry a human rider.

Origins & earliest records

Chinese tales mediated by Richard Wilhelm and Frederick H. Martens

Records & interpretation

Complete tale and its attached source note read in the retained1921-edition transcription.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   The Chinese Fairy Book

   Richard Wilhelm, editor; Frederick H. Martens, translator · 1921

   Women’s Words Part Flesh and Blood, pp.1–4; New York, Frederick A. Stokes Company

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Historical translated taleWilhelm/Martens, The Chinese Fairy Book, Women’s Words Part Flesh and Blood, pp.1–4Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.