Author: Various

About: Seventh and last in the series of Folk Tales from China.

Excerpt:

“All right,” King Yirteger replied. “You think of something to talk about.”

“Let me tell Your Majesty a story,” said the bird. “There was once a hunter who had a dog. One day he was out hunting in the valley with his dog when he came across an ox-cart piled high with silver and gold. The cart had broken down and the driver was sitting next to it looking very worried. After exchanging greetings, the two men sat down together for a smoke. 'I must go to the next village to fetch a carter,' the driver said. 'Brother hunter, could you and your dog please keep an eye on my cart for me?' 'Of course!' replied the hunter. And so the carter happily walked off over the crest of the hill.

“The hunter waited and waited, but by dusk the driver had still not returned. He thought to himself, 'My poor old mother doesn't see too well and probably hasn't eaten all day.' Then he said to his dog, 'Wait here until the driver returns and make sure that nothing gets pinched. I'm going back to cook some food for my mother.'

“The dog obediently stayed by the cart, keeping an eye on the ox and walking round and round like a night watchman. It was midnight before the driver finally managed to find a carter. He returned to find that the hunter had already left, but the dog was still faithfully guarding the cart. As a reward, he give it some silver to carry back in its mouth.

“The hunter was waiting at his gate for the dog to return. When it saw its master, the dog put the money down on the ground. Seeing this, the hunter was furious and said, 'I left that dog to look after the cart, but instead it goes and steals some silver!' Then he picked up a stick and beat the dog to death.”