兒女英雄傳

A wandering scholar drifts off in a restless nap and finds himself soaring past bustling streets onto a luminous road that climbs into the clouds. He reaches a soaring palace where the Emperor of Heaven and his consort preside over a glittering assembly of celestial officials, each bearing banners of loyalty, filial piety, chastity and righteousness. Before them a radiant mirror is set up, meant to reflect the true nature of every soul that will soon be sent back to the mortal world.

The gods command the mirror’s light to reveal each person’s hidden virtues and failings, turning the vision into a vivid tableau of human joys, regrets and destinies. Their decree is simple: those who step down must first understand the causes and effects that bind them, lest they blame heaven for their woes. As the celestial ceremony reaches its climax, the scholar abruptly awakens to the chatter of children at play, their games echoing the very “catch‑me‑if‑you‑can” summons that tore him from the heavens.

Back on solid ground, the scholar is drawn into their lively pursuit, carrying with him the ethereal insights he glimpsed above. The story invites listeners to contemplate how heroism and tender affection intertwine, and how a moment of divine revelation can linger in the ordinary rhythms of daily life.