When a farmer was weeding the fields, his wife took lunch to him in a pottery jug. After he finished eating, he put the jug in the field. In the evening, he found the left-over porridge in the jug was gone. Such strange things happened several times and the farmer grew suspicious. He kept casting his eyes sideways when he did farm work in the fields.
Then one day, he saw a fox run over, putting its mouth into the jug. He rushed over with his hoe and hit the animal. The fox tried to run away but its head was stuck in the jug. The animal broke the jug while trying to escape and freed itself. Seeing the farmer, it ran as fast as its legs could carry it and was soon out of sight.
Several years later, a daughter of a noble family from south of the mountain was confused by the fox spirit and after many ways were tried to expel the fox spirit, there was no effect. The fox spirit said to the girl: “What can the magic figures on paper do to me?” The girl tried to fool the animal, saying:”You’re beyond the usual ways to expel animal spirits and I feel fortunate to be on good terms with you, but I wonder if you are ever afraid of anyone?”
The fox spirit said: “I’m afraid of no one except that ten years ago when I was trying to steal some food north of the mountain, I was nearly killed by a man with a big straw hat and a weapon that had something like a hook at one end. The very thought of him scares me.”The girl told this to her father. Her father wanted to have this man deal with the fox but had no idea where he could find the man.
A servant from the noble family happened to be in the village north of the mountain and accidentally mentioned the fox. A man said with surprise:”This is very much like what I experienced a couple of years ago. Can it be the same fox that is harming people today?” When the servant told this to his master, his master immediately sent for the farmer, pleading with him for help. The farmer said with a smile:”I did come across a fox, but it might not be this one. Besides since it can change into a human being, will it be afraid of a farmer?” The noble person insisted he help expel the fox spirit. So he had the farmer dressed up like years ago and put a hoe on his shoulder. Then the farmer shouted in a loud voice: “I’ve been looking for you every day. So now you’re hiding in this place. I will not let you go today!” As soon as he finished, he heard the fox screaming in the room. The farmer pretended to be more angry and the fox spirit pleaded for mercy. The farmer said sharply: “I’ll let you go if you leave immediately.” The noble’s daughter saw the fox fleeing for its life. After that peace returned.
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