A Chinese Metamorphosis

The family spied a big soft-shelled turtle in the water of the bath tub through a hole in the wall.

The mother of Song Shizong, a native of Qinghe in the State of Wei, was bathing in her bathroom in the summer. She told her children in the family to close the door. The family spied a big soft-shelled turtle in the water of the bath tub through a hole in the wall. 

A Man With His Past Life as A Horse

Liu Sanfu was appreciated by Li Deyu because of his good writing. When Li Deyu was in Zhejiang, he recommended Liu Sanfu to go to the capital for the imperial examination. After passing the exam, Liu Sanfu served in the imperial court.

Liu Sanfu could remember things from three generations. He said that he had once been a horse, and the horse was often thirsty. He would neigh when he saw an inn from afar, and he would be in great pain if he hurt his hoof. 

An Alcohol Friend

Jiang finally found a friend with whom he could compete in drinking, but the secret that this friend kept shocked him.

Jiang Xiu was a tavern owner in Bingzhou. He loved his drink so much that he was seldom sober. He usually enjoyed drinking with others. However, the people of Bingzhou were wary of his excessive drinking.

When he invited them to drink with him, most would avoid him, leaving Jiang Xiu with few friends. 

The Coin Yokai

The Huang family’s wealth is lost in an amusing way and never comes back.

During the Wucheng period of the Northern Qi dynasty, there was a family named Huang living in the south of the ancient city of Anyang County. His ancestors were all very wealthy.

A fortune-teller told him that his family’s wealth was about to leave, and warned him to guard it carefully. If the wealth left, his family would become very poor. 

How can my funeral cost so much money?

A short and funny story about the death’s reappearance.

Zhu Tai(朱泰)’s family lived in Jiangling(江陵). During the Song Yuanhui(宋元徽) period, he died of illness and had not yet been buried. His ghost suddenly appeared, sitting next to his corpse, comforting his mother, and everyone saw it. He told the people who were handling the funeral that everything should be done frugally, and said to his mother: “Our family is so poor, and I am dead, and I can no longer serve and support you. 

The Straw Hat Man who Lives in the Well

He was wearing a straw hat and laughing as he climbed over the railing, but he fell into the well again.

Dugu Shuya(獨孤叔牙), who often ordered his family to draw water from the well, felt that it was very heavy and could not turn the rope. Several people helped to pull it up, but it turned out to be a person. He was wearing a straw hat and laughing as he climbed over the railing, but he fell into the well again. 

How to Get the Moon by Papercutting

A twisting Chinese mythology story about how magical powers of Taoism(道家) can do anything, even travel through time and space.

Once upon a time, there was a Mr. Wang who lived in the upper reaches of the Wujiang River(烏江). He usually kept his whereabouts hidden, so the villagers could not tell who he was. Some people thought he was a demon.

One day, a fire broke out in the village. The fire spread quickly and destroyed many houses.