Ma Ling was a very talented artist that at first worked with a stick and stone until he was given a magical brush by a mysterious person on the beach. Whatever he drew with it would come to life and he went around helping those in need.

A greedy landlord tried to force him, but Ma Ling drew a stone and food, then a ladder and a great stead on which he escaped. He vowed never to paint realistically again.

In another town, he accidentally completed a picture and the emperor heard of his crane flying away and soldiers were sent for him.

The emperor wanted a dragon, but Ma Ling drew a snake. The emperor wanted a pheonix, and got a crow. Frustrated, the emperor threw Ma Ling in jail and tried the brush himself, but found it more than he could handle. He had Ma Ling released and asked for a serene scene and a tree of gold. Ma Ling drew it, but made the boat to the tree's island capsize. Ma Ling wiped out the picture and the emperor was back in his chamber, but Ma Ling was gone and wasn't heard from again.