Page:Chinese Merry Tales (1909).djvu/28

Chinese Merry Tales HERE was a magistrate whose birthday was celebrated on a certain day. All the writers, runners, etc., of the yamên made enquiries of their master's previous life as to what animal he was transformed from. They discovered that their master was transformed from a rat. A few days before the birthday they all raised a subscription and ordered a statuette of a rat made of pure gold, and used it as a birthday present. The magistrate was very joyful when be saw it, and said: "All your thoughts have been most artful and skillful, but do yon know the mistress' birthday? Well, the date is not distant. There are only a few days left." The writers and others said they were not aware. "Will our master inform us in what year was our mistress born and from what animal was she transformed from her former life?" The master replied: "The mistress is one year younger than myself, so she must have been transformed from an ox."

HERE was a military officer in charge of some soldiers. One day he was in a battle and fought in the front ranks. Just at the moment of defeat some one unexpectedly came to his assistance and converted his defeat into victory. The officer kowtowed and thanked him. He asked: "What superior god are you that has come to save us?" The god replied: "I am the target god, come specially to save you." The officer said: "What good act has your servant done to you to deserve saving?" The target god immediately replied: "I appreciate your former skill in regard to your use of the bow and arrow. You have never injured me with a single arrow."