Aesop's Fables - World Classic Masterpieces (Full Color Translation)

Author: (Ancient Greece) Aesop / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The Fox's Proposal Reveals True Nature
In a mountainous village nestled against the hills, there lived a young man. He was hardworking, brave, and handsome. He often went to the mountains to chop wood, his agile figure moving among the trees. Anyone who saw him would say, "This young man is truly capable. If anyone finds a wife like him, they will be truly happy in life!"
In the forest, a fox named Tian Shi watched the young man. Seeing his handsome face and healthy physique, she fell in love with him. Every day, she followed him secretly, watching him chop wood, fetch water, and work in the fields. The young man was diligent and good-looking, so many girls asked for his hand in marriage. However, he refused them all, as if he was waiting for someone special. The girls he was proposed to were far from his ideal.
The fox learned of the young man's thoughts and saw her chance. She began to find ways to get closer to him. But the fox was a disliked animal, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get near the young man. The fox grew increasingly troubled, unable to eat or sleep, and grew thinner each day.
The fox had a friend, a mountain cat. Knowing the fox was infatuated with the young man, the cat told her, "Loving a human as an animal will never end well. You'd better give up this idea early to avoid a tragic fate." But the fox was deeply in love and couldn't break free. Seeing her health decline, the cat grew worried. She knew the fox would die if she didn't win the young man's love. So, she came up with an idea and said, "If you truly want the young man's love, pray to the goddess of love every day. She will help you."
The fox was determined to win the man she longed for and was now at the point of "desperate measures." She would do anything to get love, no matter the cost. So, she began to pray to the goddess of love every day.
Hearing the fox's prayers, the goddess descended to the mortal world. Moved by her sincerity, the goddess decided to help her. She said to the fox, "Your sincerity has touched me. I will grant your wish." So, the goddess transformed the fox into a beautiful young girl, just as the young man had imagined.
The next day, the young man went to the mountains to chop wood and suddenly saw a beautiful girl standing by the roadside. She was exactly like the woman he had longed for. His heart soared, and he fell in love with her at first sight. The girl looked at him with sparkling eyes, her gaze full of affection. They talked openly about their feelings and returned to the young man's home to prepare for the wedding.
The goddess watched their relationship develop and was delighted to see them in love. However, she knew that an animal-human marriage could not last unless the fox's true nature was tested. So, she transformed herself into a small mouse and came to the young man's room, deliberately dancing around the girl.
When the girl saw the mouse, a craving for food overcame her. She forgot it was the young man's home and lunged at the mouse. Seeing this, the goddess knew the fox's true nature had not changed. Such a marriage would not bring happiness, so she transformed the girl back into a fox.