The Tiger Guest by Pu Songling
Kung befriends Miao, a remarkably strong stranger who later turns into a tiger and kills most of the scholars at a picnic. Three years later, a victim's spirit asks the surviving Chin to provide a replacement victim, but Chin decides against helping. Chiang hears the story and tries to sacrifice his rival Yu; after borrowing Yu's scholarly clothes to meet the Prefect, Chiang is carried off by the tiger.
By Pu Songling · Genre: Supernatural Fiction, Short Story · 2,048 words
First lines
A young man named Kung, a native of Min-chou, on his way to the examination at Hsi-ngan, rested awhile in an inn, and ordered some wine to drink. Just then a very tall and noble-looking stranger walked in, and, seating himself by the side of Kung, entered into conversation with him. Kung offered him a cup of wine, which the stranger did not refuse; saying, at the same time, that his name was Miao. But he was a rough, coarse fellow; and Kung, therefore, when the wine was finished, did not call for any more. Miao then rose, and observing that Kung did not appreciate a man of his capacity, went out into the market to buy some, returning shortly with a huge bowl full. Kung declined the proffered wine; but Miao, seizing his arm to persuade him, gripped it so painfully that Kung was forced to drink a few more cups, Miao himself swilling away as hard as he could go out of a soup-plate. "I am not good at entertaining people," cried Miao, at length; "pray go on or stop just as you please. " Kung accordingly put together his things and went off; but he had not gone more than a few miles when his horse was taken ill, and lay down in the road. While he was waiting there with all his heavy baggage, revolving in his mind what he should do, up came Mr. Miao; who, when he heard what was the matter, took off his coat and handed it to the servant, and lifting up the horse, carried it off on his back to the nearest inn, which was about six or seven miles distant. Arriving there he put the animal in the stable, and before long Kung and his servants arrived too. Kung was much astonished at Mr. Miao's feat; and, believing him to be superhuman, began to treat him with the utmost deference, ordering both wine and food to be procured for their refreshment. "My appetite," remarked Miao, "is one that you could not easily satisfy. Let us stick to wine. " So they finished another stoup together, and then Miao got up and took his leave, saying, "It will be some time before your horse is well; I cannot wait for you. " He then went away.
Genres
- Supernatural Fiction — Miao transforms into a tiger, and a dead scholar returns as a spirit seeking release from service to him.
- Short Story — A brief prose narrative connects Kung's encounters with Miao to Chiang's failed attempt to make Yu the tiger's next victim.
Tags
tigers · transformation · spirits · scholars · examination rivalry · betrayal
What this Textopian page supports
The Tiger Guest 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: 2,048 words
- Structure: 1 section, 13 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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