Chinese Ghost Story – Wang Liu Lang,
59.4 x 42cm
There was once a fish man name Xu. Every night he brought wine to the river, drinking while fishing. Before he started he always pour a cup into the river and pray, “the drown souls in the river, please come and drink!” Other people often fished little, but he always got a lot.
One night, a young boy came to Xu. Xu invited him to drink with him, the boy accepted. Hours later Xu still didn’t manage to get any fish, he was disappointed. The boy then stood up and said “I will go to the downstream and find some fish for you.” Then he headed downstream. A while later he came back and said, “Lots of fish are coming!” Xu then put down his net, dozens were caught. He was pleased. The boy then was about to leave, Xu wanted to thank him with some fish. He rejected and said, “I get to drink your fine wine every day, such little favor needs no thanks.”