【明報專訊】Ye Xian was born to a chieftain and his first wife. Unfortunately, the couple died in a plague. Xian then lived with her father's concubine and half-sister Ye Li. A few months later, the concubine was married to a new chieftain.

Xian was treated badly by the concubine. She was beaten and forced to do all the chores. She felt desperate and took a walk near a lake. Something peculiar appeared. It's a fish with golden eyes and a huge body.

"I was sent by your mother, who rests in heaven."

Ye Xian was terrified. What? A talking fish? She thought that she had been in a dream.

"I'm a fish from heaven. Your mother sent me to help you get away from misfortune."

The fish described what Xian's mother looked like. The description was so detailed that Xian could only believe in what it had said. The fish promised her it would help her face any difficulties.

The new year came and the king held a party. The fish made Xian a stylish and graceful dress, and a pair of golden slippers (舞鞋). She went to the party and all people were speechless. Because of her flamboyant clothes and glossy hair, she was surrounded by many.

She couldn't even breathe and could only escape from the crowd. But she left one slipper in the hall. The king was told by a witch that it was made by a god. Then he demanded all women in the country try it. Ye Li tried the slipper but failed. Xian appeared and easily slipped it on.

"I suggest you marry that young girl called Ye Xian," the witch said.

Xian was then married to the king. But one day, the king summoned her and asked who the god was.

"I don't know any gods," she replied.

"But someone saw you speak to a lake," the king replied.

The king ordered a guard to take off her slippers. He then asked a young girl to dress like Xian.

The girl arrived at the lake and the fish promptly appeared. Dozens of soldiers manifested themselves, and seized the fish with a huge web.

Xian was sorrowful. She begged mercy from the king but that didn't work. The king interrogated (審問) the fish but it said nothing.

"How disappointing!" The king asked the kitchen to butcher it and make it into a dish, and forced Xian to eat it. Xian dreamt of the fish that night.

"Since I'm in your body, you now have my power." The fish said.

It told Xian to take a bath in the lake. Once she stepped into the water, she transformed into a small fish in an instant. It then followed the current and left the palace briskly.

Nobody knew where Ye Xian had gone.

Adapted from one of Duan Chengshi 段成式 (died 863 AD)'s short stories

■Food for thought

Ye Xian just wanted to lead a better life. There is nothing wrong with that. What if Ye Xian didn't join the party? Would her life be better?

■Glossary

chieftain (n) 酋長

plague (n) 瘟疫

concubine (n) 妾侍

flamboyant (adj) 艷麗的

[Smarties' Power English 第225期]