|
Song Dingbo of Nanyang came across a ghost when he was walking at night. Dingbo asked who he was. "I am a ghost," replied the ghost. "And who are you?" "I am a ghost too," Dingbo lied. "Where are you going?" the ghost asked. "To the City of Wan," Dingbo replied. "I am going to the City of Wan, too," said the ghost. "We happen to go the same way." Thereupon, they walked together. After walking for a few li, the ghost suggested: "It is too tiring to walk. Let us carry each other on the back by turns." "Excellent," Dingbo agreed. Thereupon the ghost carried Dingbo on its back. After walking for a few li, it found Dingbo rather heavy. It became suspicious and asked: "You are too heavy. Are you not a ghost?" "I died not long ago, so I am heavy," Dingbo gave a clever reply. It was now Dingbo's turn to carry the ghost. As expected, the ghost really had no weight. Thus they carried each other by turns and went on their journey. At this moment, Dingbo asked again: "I am a new ghost. I don't know what ghosts are afraid of." The ghost whispered: "It is man's spittle that ghosts fear most." As they walked along, they came to a small creek. Dingbo let the ghost cross first. The ghost crossed the creek as if it were walking on land in shoes, without making the slightest noise. But when Dingbo crossed the creek, he splashed the water in all directions with a lot of noise. | 
