Dingbo the Ghost-seller

故事全文


There was a young man named Tsung Ding-bo who lived in Nanyang City. One day he got drunk at a friend’s house and prepared to go home. It was way past midnight. On his way home, Ding-bo met a scary-looking ghost and asked, “Who… are you?” “I am a ghost, and who are you?” “I am a ghost too.” “Where are you going?” “The King of Hell sent me to Wan City.” “I’m going there too, let us go together.” Ding-bo did not dare to say no, so, he followed behind the ghost.

The ghost said, “Let us take turns to carry each other.” “Very well. You can carry me first.” “You are heavy! Are you really a ghost?” “I just died, so I am heavier. Since I just died, could you teach me what ghosts are afraid of?” “We are afraid of being spat upon. We will turn into animals and not be able to change back.”

“Ghosts cross water silently, I am sure you are not a ghost!” “I just died, so I am not used to crossing water.” They finally reached Wan City. “Put me down! Put me down!” Ding-bo brought the goat to the market and sold it for three strings of copper coins. People sang, “Ding-bo sold a ghost for a thousand and five hundred copper coins!”