In a small southern village, where bamboo groves swayed gently in the wind and narrow stone paths wound between humble cottages, lived a poor boy named Ma Liang. He was gentle, kind-hearted, and loved to draw. With nothing more than a few scraps of paper and charcoal, he would sketch birds in flight, rivers winding through mountains, and flowers blooming in quiet courtyards. Even in poverty, his heart was full of beauty and imagination.
One day, an elderly painter passing through the village noticed Ma Liang’s talent. He took the boy aside and handed him a slender brush made from fine bamboo and soft golden hairs. This was no ordinary brush. The old painter whispered that anything Ma Liang painted with it would come to life. Ma Liang, eyes wide with wonder, accepted the gift with deep gratitude. He promised to use it only for good, never for greed or harm.
Ma Liang returned home and tested the brush in secret. On a blank sheet, he painted a small bird perched on a branch. The moment he lifted the brush, the bird fluttered from the page and into the open sky. It sang a sweet melody and then returned to perch gently on his windowsill as if acknowledging its new friend. Ma Liang laughed with joy. He realized that his art could bring happiness and hope to the people around him.
The boy began helping his neighbors. When a poor farmer had no oxen to plow the fields, Ma Liang painted strong oxen that sprang from the paper and worked tirelessly until the crops were planted. When children were hungry, he painted baskets of rice that filled the kitchens of the village. He never sought praise or reward, and his deeds became a quiet source of hope in the village.
One day, the local magistrate, a greedy and cruel man, heard of the boy’s miraculous talent. He summoned Ma Liang to his residence and demanded that he paint treasures and gold for him. Ma Liang refused politely, saying that his gift was meant to help the needy, not to satisfy the selfish desires of the powerful. Angered by the refusal, the magistrate snatched the magic brush from Ma Liang and ran off to use it for his own gain.
The magistrate’s first painting was a mountain of gold. As soon as he completed the painting, the coins sprang to life, rolling across the streets and collapsing walls, destroying homes and blocking roads. He tried to stop the chaos, but every painting he made magnified the disorder. Rivers of silk, flocks of birds, and carts of silver all burst from the paper with no control, causing panic among villagers and servants alike. The magistrate realized that the brush could not obey a greedy heart. His selfish desires had turned the gift into a source of disaster.
Meanwhile, Ma Liang remained calm and determined. He quietly approached the magistrate, who was now trapped in his own created havoc. With careful strokes, Ma Liang painted a gentle river to carry away the chaos and a strong bridge for the villagers to safely cross. Then he restored every stolen treasure to its proper place and guided the magical creatures back to their paper forms. The village returned to peace, and the magistrate learned a valuable lesson about humility and integrity.
Ma Liang kept the brush for himself after that day. He continued to help the poor and the needy, but never for personal gain. His fame as a kind-hearted and clever boy spread far and wide, and people remembered him not only for his extraordinary skill but for the moral courage and compassion with which he wielded it. In every painting, he reminded others that true power must be guided by justice, responsibility, and love for one’s fellow humans.
Explore timeless legends from China, Japan, and Korea in our East Asian Folktales collection.
Moral Lesson
True talent is a gift meant for good. Creativity and power should be used responsibly to help others, and greed can turn even a great gift into disaster. Integrity and compassion are the greatest strengths of the human heart.
Knowledge Check
- Who is Ma Liang?
Ma Liang is a kind-hearted poor boy who receives a magical paintbrush that brings his drawings to life. - What makes the paintbrush special?
Anything painted with it comes to life instantly, reflecting the intentions of the user. - How does Ma Liang use his gift?
He helps the poor and needy by creating animals, food, and resources to improve their lives. - What happens when the magistrate takes the brush?
His greed causes chaos as the brush obeys his desires but cannot be controlled by selfish intentions. - What lesson does the story teach about power?
Power and talent must be used responsibly and for the benefit of others, not personal gain. - What is the broader moral theme?
Creativity, justice, compassion, and integrity are more valuable than wealth or greed.
Source:Adapted from Hong Kong Education Bureau – Chinese Storytelling Digital Library, 2017.Cultural Origin: Southern Chinese folk narrative, widely retold in Cantonese regions.
