Magical Arts by Pu Songling
While visiting the capital for an examination, Mr. Yü consults a necromancer about his sick servant and is told that he himself will die within three days unless he pays for magical protection. He refuses and survives attacks by animated paper, clay, and wooden figures, which he realizes the necromancer sent. Using dog's blood to expose the necromancer despite his invisibility, Yü and his companions capture him; the authorities execute him.
By Pu Songling · Genre: Supernatural Fiction, Short Story · 1,931 words
First lines
A certain Mr. Yü was a spirited young fellow, fond of boxing and trials of strength. He was able to take two kettles and swing them round about with the speed of the wind. Now, during the reign of Ch‘ung Chêng,[1] when up for the final examination at the capital, his servant became seriously ill. Much troubled at this, he applied to a necromancer in the market-place[2] who was skilful at determining the various leases of life allotted to men. Before he had uttered a word, the necromancer asked him, saying, "Is it not about your servant, Sir, that you would consult me? " Mr. Yü was startled at this, and replied that it was. "The sick man," continued the necromancer, "will come to no harm; you, Sir, are the one in danger. " Mr. Yü then begged him to cast his nativity, which he proceeded to do, finally saying to Mr. Yü, "You have but three days to live! " Dreadfully frightened, he remained some time in a state of stupefaction, when the necromancer quietly observed that he possessed the power of averting this calamity by magic, and would exert it for the sum of ten ounces of silver. But Mr. Yü reflected that Life and Death are already fixed,[3] and he didn't see how magic could save him. So he refused, and was just going away, whereupon the necromancer said, "You grudge this trifling outlay. I hope you will not repent it. " Mr. Yü's friends also urged him to pay the money, advising him rather to empty his purse than not secure the necromancer's compassion. Mr. Yü, however, would not hear of it and the three days slipped quickly away. Then he sat down calmly in his inn to see what was going to happen. Nothing did happen all day, and at night he shut his door and trimmed the lamp; then, with a sword at his side, he awaited the approach of death.
Genres
- Supernatural Fiction — Animated figures attack Mr. Yü, and a necromancer makes himself invisible until dog's blood reveals him.
- Short Story — A compact prose narrative follows Yü's consultation, his overnight combat, and the necromancer's capture and execution.
Tags
necromancy · fortune-telling · enchanted figures · sword fighting · invisibility · extortion
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Magical Arts is listed on Textopian as a short story by Pu Songling, dated Date unknown.
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- Work type: Short story
- Author: Pu Songling
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Supernatural Fiction, Short Story
- Length: 1,931 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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