Greater and Lesser Five Wells

　　According to elders, in ancient times, there were no lotuses on Earth—only in the Heavenly Queen Mother’s Jade Pool did they bloom. These were celestial treasures, unseen by ordinary immortals. Only the Jade Emperor, Taibai Jupiter, the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King, the Supreme Old Lord, and other high-ranking, virtuous, and meritorious beings allowed into the Queen Mother’s domain could behold such beauty.

　　There was a pair of immortal lovers who had cherished feelings for each other for years but dared not reveal their affection, for unauthorized romantic unions were strictly forbidden by heavenly law. Minor offenses brought lashes; severe ones led to eternal imprisonment in the Celestial Jail. Longing to live as mortals, witnessing the harmony of earthly couples—men farming, women weaving—they yearned deeply to descend to the mortal realm and wed. Yet, despite their hopes, they never found the chance.

　　One day, the Heavenly Queen Mother held a grand Peach Banquet in the Jade Pool to entertain the leaders of all immortal realms. As soon as the invitations were sent, those leaders set off to attend. Seizing what they believed to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the lovers decided to sneak down to the mortal world. But then they thought: if they were going to the human realm, they should do something meaningful. After much deliberation, they devised a plan—to steal lotus seeds and sow them on Earth. This would not only introduce lotuses to beautify the mortal lands but also provide edible lotus roots to improve people’s lives. A win-win act. Moreover, with the banquet’s guards relaxed, it was the perfect time to sneak into the Jade Pool and take the seeds.

　　Without delay, the male immortal transformed into an old man with a long, flowing silver beard, leaning on a cane, and blended into the crowd of immortal leaders entering the Jade Pool. Preoccupied with the peaches, none noticed him. When the leaders settled at the banquet tables and prepared to eat, the male immortal slipped away unnoticed and headed straight for the Lotus Pond.

　　The celestial maidens guarding the pond had been assigned to receive guests, leaving the area completely deserted. Overjoyed, the male immortal reached out to pluck the lotus seeds. The previous day’s heavy rain had left five water droplets of varying sizes glistening on the lotus leaves. When they fell to the ground, they turned into five radiant, jewel-like water droplets.

　　With the magical water jewels and the lotus seeds in hand, the male immortal immediately fled the Jade Pool and escaped to the mortal world with the waiting female immortal.

　　Soon after their departure, the guardian maiden returned to the pond. Noticing water stains and realizing one lotus was missing, she panicked, fearing a theft. Without hesitation, she flew to report the incident to the Heavenly Queen Mother.

　　The Queen Mother, who had been happily entertaining the immortals, flew into a rage at the news. She swiftly dispatched eighteen troops of divine soldiers and generals to search every corner and intercept the thieves. These heavenly enforcers stormed through the skies with terrifying cries, plunging the entire celestial realm into chaos—winds howled, sands flew, and the heavens darkened.

　　Meanwhile, the fleeing lovers had just descended halfway through the sky when the bright day suddenly darkened. Dark clouds churned, thunder rumbled, and faint battle cries echoed in the distance. The male immortal said, “It’s bad—we’ve been discovered by the Queen Mother!” The female immortal trembled in fear, at a loss for what to do.

　　Just as they were panicking, the divine soldiers and generals surrounded them. The leading general, sword in hand, bellowed, “You wicked man and woman, how dare you steal the Queen Mother’s sacred lotus seeds and flee to the mortal realm? Hand over the treasures now, surrender, and you may yet escape death!”

　　Seeing the situation, the male immortal knew that surrendering the seeds might spare his life—but he’d be imprisoned in the Celestial Jail, tortured forever. Since he was determined to benefit the mortals, he refused to turn back. Unafraid of death, he scattered the sacred lotus seeds across the mortal lands. From then on, lotuses blossomed on Earth. Because the seeds landed in the Jinggangshan region, the area came to resemble a vast green lotus flower: the overlapping mountain ranges became the petals, Ciping the flower’s heart, its trees the stamen, and the pools scattered throughout the mountains the dewdrops on the lotus leaves.

　　After scattering the lotus seeds, the male immortal also cast down the five differently sized water jewels. These became five wells of varying sizes. Their waters were clear, greenish-blue, cool in summer and warm in winter, sweet to taste. No matter how severe the drought, the wells never dried up, continuously providing water to irrigate the fertile fields below. To honor the two immortals, the locals named the five wells Greater Well, Lesser Well, Middle Well, Upper Well, and Lower Well.

　　Later, when the Heavenly Queen Mother learned of the five wells, she ordered the Dragon King of the East Sea to cut off their water source. Gradually, the wells dried up and were overgrown with wild plants and trees. In time, refugees from Guangdong settled here. Unaware of the wells’ celestial origin, they simply called the place Greater Village, Lesser Village, Middle Village, Upper Village, and Lower Village. Many years passed until a close friend of the male immortal passed through. Learning of the renaming, he shared the original story. Touched, the villagers restored the name Greater and Lesser Five Villages—but eventually it evolved into Greater and Lesser Five Wells, the name that remains in use today.