Explore the intriguing world of folklore, where mysterious spells turn donkeys into women and sheep into children, revealing the power of enchantment and transformation.
Enchanting and mysterious spells have various techniques. Some involve deceiving people into consuming delicious food, causing them to become confused and follow the trickster, known as “daxuba” in the folk parlance. In the Jiangnan region, it is called “chexu.” Innocent children are often the victims of such spells. There are also spells that transform people into livestock, known as “zaoxu.” Such spells are rare in the northern regions but prevalent south of the Yellow River.
In a Yangzhou inn, there was a man who had five donkeys. He temporarily tied them up in the stable and said, “I’ll be back in a little while,” instructing, “Don’t give them food or water.” Then he left. Due to the scorching sun, the donkeys became restless and started kicking and biting. The innkeeper moved them to a cooler place. When the donkeys saw water, they hurried over and drank heartily. Rolling on the ground, these donkeys transformed into women. The innkeeper was astonished and inquired about what had happened, but the women couldn’t speak and had stiff tongues. So, the innkeeper hid the women inside the house.
Before long, the owner of the donkeys arrived and drove five sheep into the courtyard, asking in surprise where the donkeys had gone. The innkeeper pulled him into the house, served tea and food, and assured him, “Guest, please eat something first; I will bring the donkeys shortly.” The innkeeper left the room, gave water to all five sheep, and one by one, they all turned into children. He secretly reported to the local authorities, and the officials dispatched constables to capture the owner of the donkeys, who was subsequently punished and beaten to death with a rod.
《造畜》
魇昧之术，不一其道。或投美饵，绐之食之，则人迷罔，相从而去，俗名曰“打絮巴”，江南谓之“扯絮”。小儿无知，辄受其害。又有变人为畜者，名曰“造畜”。此术江北犹少，河以南辄有之。
扬州旅店中，有一人牵驴五头，暂絷枥下，云：“我少选即返。”兼嘱：“勿令饮啖。”遂去。驴暴日中，蹄啮殊喧。主人牵着凉处。驴见水，奔之，遂纵饮之。一滚尘，化为妇人。怪之，诘其所由，舌强而不能答。乃匿诸室中。既而驴主至，驱五羊于院中，惊问驴之所在。主人曳客坐，便进餐饮，且云：“客姑饭，驴即至矣。”主人出，悉饮五羊，辗转皆为童子。阴报郡，遣役捕获，遂械杀之。