In Chinese mythology, there is a legend about carp that climbed a waterfall on a mountain of staggering height. An ancient hero cleaved the summit of the mountain in two, opening up a gateway so the river could careen off the cliffs. Each year many fish attempted to swim against the mighty current, and many failed. But a few fought against the surge of the river to take a final, breathtaking leap over the open gate at the head of the waterfall. Before their fins broke the surface of the water on the other side, the fish found their soft, plump bodies transformed into something slithering, and
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