Ma Liang was a poor but kind-hearted boy who loved to draw. He spent hours practicing in the dirt, using twigs as his brush. His talent was undeniable, but he lacked the tools to truly express his artistic vision. He longed for a real brush, but he had no money.

One night, he dreamt of an old man with a flowing white beard who presented him with a golden brush. The old man warned him to use the brush wisely and only for the benefit of others. When Ma Liang woke up, the golden brush was in his hand. It was real!

Ma Liang was overjoyed. He immediately began to paint. He painted a bird, and the bird flew out of the picture and soared into the sky, singing a beautiful song. He painted a fish, and the fish leaped from the paper and swam in a nearby stream. Everything he painted came to life!

News of Ma Liang’s magic brush spread far and wide. People flocked to him, requesting him to paint things they needed. He painted plows for farmers to ease their labor, water buffaloes to help them till their fields, and tools for craftsmen to improve their work. Ma Liang always used his brush to help the needy and to bring joy to others. His generosity knew no bounds.

However, the greedy landlord of the village heard about the brush. He coveted its power and wanted it for himself. He summoned Ma Liang and demanded that he paint him a mountain of gold. Ma Liang refused, knowing that such wealth would only be used for selfish purposes.

The landlord, enraged by Ma Liang's refusal, imprisoned him. He planned to steal the brush and use it for his own gain. He threatened Ma Liang with torture and starvation, but Ma Liang remained steadfast in his refusal to cooperate. The landlord, in a fit of anger, snatched the brush and attempted to paint a mountain of gold himself.

But the landlord possessed no artistic skill. He drew a grotesque, lopsided mountain that resembled more of a misshapen hill. The “gold” he painted looked more like mud. Frustrated, he threw the brush down and ordered his servants to bring Ma Liang to him.

He forced Ma Liang to paint him a dragon. He envisioned himself soaring through the sky, feared and respected by all. Under duress, Ma Liang began to paint. He painted a magnificent dragon, its scales shimmering in the light, its eyes blazing with fire. However, Ma Liang subtly added a touch of mischief to his creation.

As the dragon was nearing completion, Ma Liang painted a sea. The landlord, impatient to ride his dragon, leaped onto its back. At that moment, Ma Liang added the finishing touch – a single brushstroke that made the dragon real. The dragon roared to life and plunged into the sea, carrying the terrified landlord with it. The landlord was never seen again. His greed and arrogance had led to his demise.

Ma Liang, now free from the landlord's tyranny, continued to use his gift for good. He traveled from village to village, painting for the poor and the oppressed. He painted fertile fields, sturdy houses, and tools to help people improve their lives.

One day, he came to a desolate island. The people were suffering from thirst and hunger. Ma Liang painted a lush forest filled with fruit-bearing trees and a clear, flowing river. The island was transformed into a paradise, and the people were filled with joy and gratitude. He painted a forest teeming with life, a river bursting with fish, and a sun that warmed their bodies but did not scorch their land.

Word of Ma Liang’s deeds reached the ears of the Emperor. The Emperor, known for his avarice and his desire for power, summoned Ma Liang to the capital. He wanted Ma Liang to paint him things that would make him even wealthier and more powerful.

Ma Liang, knowing the Emperor's corrupt nature, refused to comply. He knew that anything he painted for the Emperor would only be used to exploit the people. He tried to escape, but the Emperor's guards captured him.

The Emperor demanded that Ma Liang paint him a money tree, a tree that bore gold coins instead of fruit. Ma Liang, forced to obey, reluctantly began to paint. He painted a tree, but instead of painting gold coins, he painted fiery red fruits that looked beautiful but were poisonous.

The Emperor, blinded by his greed, did not notice the deception. He ordered his servants to gather the “gold coins,” but as soon as they touched the fiery fruits, they were burned. The Emperor, realizing he had been tricked, was furious.

He ordered Ma Liang to be executed. But as the guards approached, Ma Liang painted a ladder leading to the sky. He climbed the ladder and disappeared into the clouds, leaving the Emperor and his court in astonishment.

Some say that Ma Liang still wanders the earth, using his magic brush to help those in need. His story serves as a reminder that true wealth lies not in material possessions, but in kindness, compassion, and the willingness to use one's talents for the good of others. His legacy lives on as an inspiration for artists and dreamers everywhere. The tale of Ma Liang is a timeless one, a testament to the power of art and the importance of integrity. He chose to use his extraordinary gift for the betterment of humanity, rather than succumbing to the allure of power and wealth. His story underscores the profound responsibility that comes with talent and the enduring impact of selfless actions.