Famous Chinese Short Stories [antikvár]

INTRODUCTION ^V\VV\VVVVVV\VV\VVVVV\\VV\\VV\VVVVVV\\VV\VVVVV\VI^\\\VVVV\\\VVVVV\\\\^ The short stories in this volume are some of the most f^ious Chinese tales ever told. They comprise some of the best — though not all of the best are here. The selection and retelling of these stories for Western readers impose a necessary limitation. Many famous stories have been omitted, either on account of theme, matter, or basic assumptions of a different society or period, which make the retelling an impossible or unprofitable undertaking. I have selected those which I believe have a most nearly universal appeal, and which answer more to the purpose of a modem short story. The piupose of a short story is, I believe, that the reader shall come away with the satisfactory feeling that a particular insight into human character has lieen gained, or that his knowledge of life has been deepened, or that pity, love, or sympathy for a human being has been awakened. Nothing in the reader's basic assumptions should stand in the way, requiring elaborate explanation, in order that this desired effect may be achieved. I have chosen stories which present no such difficulties and which make the achievement of this effect easy or possible, although I recognize that some of these stories will appeal to the reader because of the strangeness and exotic charm of a remote atmosphere and background. The instinct to listen to a good story is as old as humanity itself. Tales have been told in China since history began. The Tsochuan (probably 3rd century B.C.) and certain ix