The Legend of the Green Giraffe dates back to the third Ming Dynasty. Explorers from China were sent out in all directions to search the new and distant lands for more ice to make slushies for the Emperor’s great niece. There was one young Warrior eager to impress the lovely great niece of the Emperor.

One day while out in the forest near his village the young warrior heard a mysterious wind. It told of a magical flavoring far away in the land of Africa. “Ah-Ha!” he thought if he could bring back this new magical flavor that it would make him stand out above everyone else just bring back ice. Then Checkmate, she would fall in love with him. So the Warrior set out across the globe.

After a very long journey he arrived at the land known as Africa. “Ah-ha!” he thought as he knew his goal was within reach. He saw a very tall mysterious creature eating green apples out of the tip top of the trees. Not only did he find the source of the magical new flavor but he knew if he could bring back this new found Giraffe creature he would truly impress the great niece of the Emperor. Checkmate! He gathered up as many green apples as he could and put them in bags that he brought with him.

He then went toward the Giraffe. After a long period of slowly approaching the Giraffe he found himself next to it. He gently put his hand on the leg of the creature and began to pet the knee. The Giraffe being so tall this was the only place the Warrior could reach. The Giraffe began to bleat like a sheep. It appeared to be tickling the Giraffe. The Giraffe began to follow the Warrior around for a few days. Finally the Warrior start back toward home and the Giraffe continued to follow him.

Now back in China the Warrior was almost home. He had successfully befriended the Giraffe. They arrived back to his village a year from when he left. He then sent his brother to the Emperor’s palace to spread the word of his surprise for the niece that would be presented the next day at the palace.

The next day all of the surrounding villages came to the palace to find out what the surprise was all about. It took many villagers to carry all of the bags full of green apples to the inner courtyard of the Emperor’s palace. The Emperor and his great niece were waiting here. As the Warrior approached the crowds divided not knowing what to think of this ginormous towering beast. The Warrior presented the many bags of green apples. The Emperor and the niece still had a look of terror on their face as their eye stayed glued to this new creature. The Warrior could sense their uneasiness so he went to the Giraffes front leg and began to pet it. The beast started to bleat just like before. The crowd giggled when they heard the sound and were at ease now. The Warrior then moved to the back leg and pet it. The Giraffe’s tone changed to a higher pitch that was even funnier than the last one. The Emperor and his great niece chuckled. The Warrior then pet both the front and back legs. The Giraffe’s head swayed back and forth as he bleated differently yet again. The animal’s knees slowly started to buckle as it began to tip sideways over top of the warriors head. Then a giant squish noise as the Giraffe landed on the pile of green apple bags. The warrior was distraught as now all of the magical new flavor was all over the Giraffe turning him bright green. He thought his quest was now ruined.

The niece loved her new Green Giraffe. The Warrior’s plan had still worked. She fell in love with the Warrior. She loved the Green Giraffe surprise so much that she had made it the official symbol of the land. Even today there are paintings, jade statutes, flags, pottery, and more depicting this story or just the Green Giraffe as well.

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