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Part 2
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In this vivid anthology, ancient Chinese folklore and philosophical musings intertwine, inviting listeners into a world where scholars, spirits, and beasts converse in the shadow of gardens, temples, and riverbanks. The opening scenes introduce a reclusive book‑lover who, while seeking respite from the summer heat, is drawn into a contentious dialogue with a beguiling fox‑spirit, setting the tone for encounters that blend erudition with enchantment.
Subsequent tales follow a determined young woman bargaining with a tiger, a pair of chickens arguing over their place in the cosmos, an otter negotiating with a flock of birds, a humble ant merchant dreaming of honor, a wandering turtle offering cryptic counsel, and a courtier tangled in a rabbit’s mysterious pregnancy. Each vignette balances humor, moral reflection, and a hint of the supernatural, making the collection a thought‑provoking journey through desire, duty, and the hidden rules that govern both humans and the creatures that mirror them.
Language
zh
Duration
~1 hours (101K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
May 7, 2008
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
b. 1741
A witty Qing-dynasty writer best known for the story collection Xie duo, he turned sharp observation and humor into lively fiction. His life seems to have been marked by long hardship, which gives his work an extra edge and humanity.
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