Saving the Thrush by Striking the Snake

Zhao Liang watched everything clearly from beneath the tree. He quickly picked up two stones from the ground and hurled them at the giant snake. The first missed its mark, but the second struck the snake's body directly.

The snake, stung by pain, suddenly twisted its head around and spotted Zhao Liang under the tree, holding another stone and clearly ready to throw. Infuriated, it turned and lunged at him.

Zhao Liang dashed back at full speed, reaching the entrance of the cave in a whirlwind. He seized the large wooden fork used for spearing fish. When he turned to look, the snake was barely ten yards away.

He gripped the fork tightly, held his breath, and waited for the snake to close in. As it leapt high, preparing to deliver a deadly strike, Zhao Liang thrust the fork with all his strength, piercing the snake at its vital spot and pinning it firmly against the rocky wall at the entrance.

The snake, caught off guard and subdued at its weak point, struggled desperately. No matter how violently it thrashed, it could not break free from the fork.

The snake’s furious contortions exhausted Zhao Liang, but at this critical moment, he clenched his teeth and held on with all his might, refusing to loosen his grip even for an instant.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhao Liang felt the snake’s resistance fading, but he still dared not relax. He kept the fork pressed tightly.

Another half-stick of incense later, Zhao Liang saw that the snake was motionless, its head drooping, tongue lolling out. Only then did he cautiously, bit by bit, release the fork.

Once he confirmed the snake was dead, Zhao Liang finally let out a long breath, collapsed onto the ground, and gasped for air. His arms were so tense from exertion they felt almost numb.

The thrush chirped joyously above Zhao Liang's head, as if thanking him for saving its life.

Zhao Liang waved at the bird and said, "It’s nothing. We’re neighbors—looking out for each other is only right."

The thrush circled above his head twice and flew away. After a while, it returned, holding a sprig of purple berries in its beak.

It placed the berries before Zhao Liang, chirped a few times, as if inviting him to taste them. Zhao Liang picked up the berries and ate them, finding them exceptionally sweet—far tastier than any he had gathered himself.

The thrush, seeing Zhao Liang enjoy the berries, chirped happily and flew off.

Watching the bird’s departing silhouette, a sudden idea flashed in Zhao Liang’s mind. He waved and called loudly, “Thrush, thrush! Come back, come back!”

The thrush flapped its wings and returned, uncertain why Zhao Liang needed it.

Zhao Liang asked eagerly, “Do you know Tian Family Village? Have you met Uncle Tian or Mr. Jiang?”

The thrush looked at him in puzzlement, not understanding what he meant. It chirped twice, as if saying it didn’t know.

Zhao Liang realized he was being impatient and said, “Of course, you wouldn’t know these people. But—do you recognize a little white fox? This kind of fox, it calls like… like this…”

He gestured and mimicked the fox’s cry, animatedly acting it out. Whether the thrush understood him, he could not tell.

The thrush seemed to ponder for a moment, then circled twice and soared toward the top of the valley.

It flew higher and higher, shrinking into a tiny black speck, until it finally vanished from Zhao Liang’s sight.

More than an hour passed before the thrush returned, chirping excitedly at Zhao Liang. He had no idea what it was trying to say. At that moment, he wished he could become Gongye Chang, able to understand the language of birds. He didn’t know if the thrush had grasped his request or if it had found the little white fox.

Another quarter-hour passed. The sun was now slanting toward the west. Zhao Liang’s hopes slowly faded, dissolving one by one.

Suddenly, he noticed a small white dot above the valley top. The dot grew larger and clearer, and he thought he heard the long-missed cry of the little white fox.

“Little White! It’s Little White! It really is Little White!”

A moment ago, Zhao Liang felt as if he’d fallen into the deepest hell, but now it was as if he’d risen straight to heaven. The sheer contrast overwhelmed him with joy, leaving him utterly ecstatic.