“These tales from China are richly underscored by an ancient philosophical battle—the Taoist challenge to the hierarchical rigidity of the Confucian order—which gives the stories an edge and power uniquely their own. An enthralling collection.”
—Los Angeles Times
“Brimming with magic and mortals, these enchanting legends and myths bring to mind familiar fables, yet possess an aura that is wholly Chinese . . . Enlightening and enjoyable reading.”
—Booklist
Acknowledgments xiii
A Note on the Illustrations xiv
Introduction xv
TALES OF ENCHANTMENT AND MAGIC 1
The Cricket 3
The Waiting Maid’s Parrot 9
Sea Prince 15
A Girl in Green 17
Butterfly Dreams 19
Suited to Be a Fish 20
Li Ching and the Rain God 25
Jade Leaves 30
The Wizard’s Lesson 31
The Priest of Hardwork Mountains 39
White Lotus Magic 42
The Peach Thief 45
TALES OF FOLLY AND GREED 49
The Magic Pear Tree 51
The Wine Well 53
Gold, Gold 55
Stump Watching 56
Buying Shoes 57
The Missing Axe 58
Overdoing It 59
The Horsetrader 60
The Silver Swindle 61
The Family’s Fortune 64
The Leaf 66
The Tiger Behind the Fox 67
Rich Man of Sung 68
They Flying Bull 69
Social Connections 70
A Small Favor 74
Pitted Loquats 77
Memory Trouble 78
Medical Techniques 79
The Lost Horse 82
The Deer in the Dream 83
Loss of Memory 85
The Sun 87
THE ANIMAL KINGDOM 89
A Faithful Mouse 91
The Loyal Dog 92
Black and White 94
The Dog Goes to Court 95
The Tale of the Trusty Tiger 97
The Repentant Tiger of Chaoch’eng 100
Tiger Boys 102
Human Bair 104
Educated Frogs and Martial Ants 106
The Snakeman 107
The North Country Wolf 111
Counselor to the Wolves 119
Monkey Keeper 120
Man and Beast 121
Man or Beast 122
The Fish Rejoice 125
Wagging My Tail in the Mud 126
WOMEN AND WIVES 127
Li Chi Slays the Serpent 129
The Black General 132
The Master and the Serving Maid 137
A Cure for Jealousy 140
The Fortune Teller 146
A Dead Son 149
The Golden Toothpick 150
The King’s Favorite 151
The Divided Daughter 152
GHOSTS AND SOULS 155
The Scholar’s Concubine 157
Three Former Lives 162
The Monk from Everclear 165
The Monk’s Sins 168
The Truth About Ghosts 170
Sung Ting-po Catches a Ghost 171
The Man Who Couldn’t Catch a Ghost 173
Ai Tzu and the Temple Ghost 174
Escaping Ghosts 175
Test of Conviction 176
Drinking Companions 178
The Censor and the Tiger 183
Underworld Justice 188
Sharp Sword 195
The Skull 196
JUDGES AND DIPLOMATS 197
The Sheep Butcher and His King 199
The Prime Minister’s Coachman 201
The Royal Jewel 202
Country of Thieves 206
Strategy 207
Buying Loyalty 209
The Groom’s Crimes 212
The Chain 214
Hearsay 215
Dreams 216
The Mortal Lord 218
One Word Solves a Mystery 220
A Wise Judge 222
A Clever Judge 224
A Fine Phoenix 225
Sun Tribute 226
AN UNOFFICIAL HISTORY OF THE CONFUCIAN ACADEMY 229
Nature 248
Civilization 249
A Note on the Translation and Transcription of Chinese 251
List of Sources 253
Index of Tales 257
