Collecting Subscriptions by Pu Songling
Chou, a wealthy but stingy merchant, delays paying his hundred-tael pledge for temple repairs until a giant frog invades his home and forces him to pay that sum and another hundred taels. Later, a magician speaking in a divine ecstasy exposes stolen subscription funds, including his own theft. Repayments follow, while two defaulters who do not pay fall ill.
By Pu Songling · Genre: Short Story, Supernatural Fiction, Moral Tale · 2,039 words
First lines
The Frog-God frequently employs a magician to deliver its oracles to those who have faith. Should the magician declare that the God is pleased, happiness is sure to follow; but if he says the God is angry, women and children[1] sit sorrowfully about, and neglect even their meals. Such is the customary belief, and it is probably not altogether devoid of foundation.
[1]: The chief supporters of superstition in China.
Genres
- Short Story — A compact prose narrative follows Chou’s unpaid pledge, the frog’s visits, and the exposure of stolen temple funds.
- Supernatural Fiction — A frog changes size in response to payment promises, and a god speaks through a magician to expose theft.
- Moral Tale — Chou’s withholding brings escalating demands, while those who fail to return misappropriated subscriptions suffer illness.
Tags
temple repairs · fundraising · giant frogs · spirit possession · embezzlement
What this Textopian page supports
Collecting Subscriptions is listed on Textopian as a short story by Pu Songling, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Pu Songling
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Supernatural Fiction, Moral Tale
- Length: 2,039 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for Collecting Subscriptions by Pu Songling
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