Two fairy tales by German-Swiss author Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) suggesting the origin of hermits are set in Africa and China.
“The Forest Dweller”(1917) is set in a thick primordial forest wherein the inhabitants fearfully dwell in arboreal darkness, shunning light, imagining that sunlight glare is blinding. They never leave their dwellings in fear of light and wild animals. Their ruleris an old man once (supposedly) blinded by the sun and since considered a priest and god, whose tyrannical rule is only opposed by a small circle of youths led by Kubu.
——————————
“The Poet” (1913) is set in China and presents a young man happily ensconced in the society of his day. Han Fook is “a handsome and modest young man, pleasant in his manners and well rounded in his education. In spite of his youth, he had already made a name for himself with many an excellent poem, and he was known in the literary circles of this region. Without being exactly rich, he could nevertheless expect to have enough money to lead a comfortable life.” He was engaged to marry a “very beautiful and virtuous” bride. “ But still Han Fook’s greatest desire was to be a “perfect poet.”
One day, during the festival of lanterns, Han Fook sat on the river bank opposite the celebratory site, wishing to join the festivities but part of him craving poetry and solitude. An old man appears (a dream or real?), smiling at him and reciting several poems that move Han Fook. The man identifies himself as “Master the Perfect Word,” and suggests that if Han Fook wants to become a poet he should follow him. And Han Fook does follow the old master, learning to play the zither and flute, and to write magnificent poetry. Han Fook asks his father to postpone the marriage, one year, then two years, and finally renounces the past to follow the old poet, who lived by the river and at the base of the mountain, and in iubsequent years travels the land reciting poetry and playing hi stringed instruments. Many years later he ets out to visit the master but cannot find him.