Jessica Jiang

Nai Lao

The short story "Nai Lao" by Jessica Jiang is about Lùzhū, a dew drop that lacks a scent in a world where scent determines an element's hierarchy. He is isolated and ignored because of his lack of scent, and he feels like he doesn't belong. Lùzhū remembers the elders' tales about their ancestors and the war against the nine-headed snake monster, Xiangliu, who sought to return the world to a giant ball of water. During the annual lantern festival, Lùzhū sees the beauty of the world beyond his cave, but it also makes him feel more lonely. Lùzhū then decides to climb the tallest mountain, which one of his ancestors claimed could reach the end of the universe and taste the smell of salt. The story ends with Lùzhū coming to a wooden stall.