楚某翁，賈於外。婦獨居，夢與人交；醒而捫之，小丈夫也。察其情，與人異，知為狐。未幾，下床去，門未開而已逝矣。入暮，邀庖媼伴焉。有子十歲，素別榻臥，亦招與俱。夜既深，媼兒皆寐，狐復來。婦喃喃如夢語。媼覺，呼之，狐遂去。自是，身忽忽若有亡。至夜，不敢息燭，戒子睡勿熟。夜闌，兒及媼倚壁少寐。既醒，失婦，意其出遺；久待不至，始疑。媼懼，不敢往覓。兒執火遍燭之，至他室，則母裸臥其中；近扶之，亦不羞縮。自是遂狂，歌哭叫詈，日萬狀。夜厭與人居，別榻寢兒，媼亦遣去。兒每聞母笑語，輒起火之。母反怒訶兒，兒亦不為意，因共壯兒膽。然嬉戲無節，日效杇者，以磚石疊窗上，止之不聽。或去其一石，則滾地作嬌啼，人無敢氣觸之。過數日，兩窗盡塞，無少明。已乃合泥涂壁孔，終日營營，不憚其勞。涂已，無所作，遂把廚刀霍霍磨之。見者皆憎其頑，不以人齒。
楚地有個老翁，在外經商，妻子獨自在家。一天夜裡，她夢見和人交歡，醒來伸手一摸，身邊竟有個矮小的男子。她察覺他的情形與人不同，知道是狐狸。不久，那男子下床離去，門還沒開，他就已經不見了。到了傍晚，婦人請做飯的老婦來陪她。她有個十歲的兒子，平時睡在另一張床上，也叫來一起作伴。夜深以後，老婦和孩子都睡著了，狐狸又來了。婦人喃喃低語，像在說夢話。老婦醒來，喊了她一聲，狐狸便走了。從此，婦人精神恍惚，像是丟失了什麼。夜裡，她不敢熄滅蠟燭，叮囑兒子不要睡得太沉。深夜，孩子和老婦靠著牆稍稍睡了一會兒，醒來發現婦人不見了，以為她出去解手，等了很久還不回來，才起了疑心。老婦害怕，不敢去找。孩子拿著燈火到處照看，來到另一間屋子，只見母親赤身躺在裡面。他上前扶她，她也不覺得羞恥，不躲不避。從此，她便發了瘋，每天唱歌、哭泣、叫喊、辱罵，百般發作。夜裡，她不願和別人住在一起，讓孩子另睡一張床，也把老婦打發走了。孩子每次聽見母親說笑，就起來拿燈火照她。母親反而生氣，呵斥孩子，孩子卻不在意，大家因此都贊他膽大。可是，他玩鬧起來也毫無節制，每天模仿泥瓦匠，把磚石堆在窗戶上，叫他停手也不聽。誰拿走一塊石頭，他就滾在地上撒嬌哭鬧，沒人敢惹他生氣。過了幾天，兩扇窗戶都被堵死，透不進一點光亮。隨後，他又和泥堵牆上的孔洞，整天忙個不停，也不嫌累。堵完以後，沒事可做，他就拿著菜刀，霍霍地磨起來。看見的人都嫌他頑劣，不把他當回事。
楚某翁，贾于外。妇独居，梦与人交；醒而扪之，小丈夫也。察其情，与人异，知为狐。未几，下床去，门未开而已逝矣。入暮，邀庖媪伴焉。有子十岁，素别榻卧，亦招与俱。夜既深，媪儿皆寐，狐复来。妇喃喃如梦语。媪觉，呼之，狐遂去。自是，身忽忽若有亡。至夜，不敢息烛，戒子睡勿熟。夜阑，儿及媪倚壁少寐。既醒，失妇，意其出遗；久待不至，始疑。媪惧，不敢往觅。儿执火遍烛之，至他室，则母裸卧其中；近扶之，亦不羞缩。自是遂狂，歌哭叫詈，日万状。夜厌与人居，别榻寝儿，媪亦遣去。儿每闻母笑语，辄起火之。母反怒诃儿，儿亦不为意，因共壮儿胆。然嬉戏无节，日效杇者，以砖石叠窗上，止之不听。或去其一石，则滚地作娇啼，人无敢气触之。过数日，两窗尽塞，无少明。已乃合泥涂壁孔，终日营营，不惮其劳。涂已，无所作，遂把厨刀霍霍磨之。见者皆憎其顽，不以人齿。
楚地有个老翁，在外经商，妻子独自在家。一天夜里，她梦见和人交欢，醒来伸手一摸，身边竟有个矮小的男子。她察觉他的情形与人不同，知道是狐狸。不久，那男子下床离去，门还没开，他就已经不见了。到了傍晚，妇人请做饭的老妇来陪她。她有个十岁的儿子，平时睡在另一张床上，也叫来一起作伴。夜深以后，老妇和孩子都睡着了，狐狸又来了。妇人喃喃低语，像在说梦话。老妇醒来，喊了她一声，狐狸便走了。从此，妇人精神恍惚，像是丢失了什么。夜里，她不敢熄灭蜡烛，叮嘱儿子不要睡得太沉。深夜，孩子和老妇靠着墙稍稍睡了一会儿，醒来发现妇人不见了，以为她出去解手，等了很久还不回来，才起了疑心。老妇害怕，不敢去找。孩子拿着灯火到处照看，来到另一间屋子，只见母亲赤身躺在里面。他上前扶她，她也不觉得羞耻，不躲不避。从此，她便发了疯，每天唱歌、哭泣、叫喊、辱骂，百般发作。夜里，她不愿和别人住在一起，让孩子另睡一张床，也把老妇打发走了。孩子每次听见母亲说笑，就起来拿灯火照她。母亲反而生气，呵斥孩子，孩子却不在意，大家因此都赞他胆大。可是，他玩闹起来也毫无节制，每天模仿泥瓦匠，把砖石堆在窗户上，叫他停手也不听。谁拿走一块石头，他就滚在地上撒娇哭闹，没人敢惹他生气。过了几天，两扇窗户都被堵死，透不进一点光亮。随后，他又和泥堵墙上的孔洞，整天忙个不停，也不嫌累。堵完以后，没事可做，他就拿着菜刀，霍霍地磨起来。看见的人都嫌他顽劣，不把他当回事。
A man of Chu was away from home on business. His wife lived alone. One night she dreamed she was lying with someone; when she woke and felt about her, there was a little man. From the feel of him he was not like a human, and she knew him for a fox. Before long he got down from the bed and left; the door never opened, yet he was gone. When evening came she asked the old woman who did the cooking to keep her company. She had a son of ten who usually slept in a bed of his own, and she called him in too. Late in the night, when the old woman and the boy were both asleep, the fox came again. The wife murmured as if talking in her sleep. The old woman woke and called out to her, and the fox left. From then on she went about in a daze, as if she had lost something. At night she dared not put out the candle, and she warned her son not to sleep too soundly. In the small hours the boy and the old woman dozed off leaning against the wall. When they woke, the wife was gone. They thought she had gone out to relieve herself, but when they had waited a long time and she did not come back, they began to suspect. The old woman was frightened and dared not go looking. The boy took a light and searched everywhere. In another room he found his mother lying naked. He went to help her up, and she showed no shame and did not shrink from him. From then on she was mad: singing, weeping, shrieking, cursing, a thousand ways a day. At night she would not have anyone near her. She put the boy in a bed of his own and sent the old woman away too. Whenever the boy heard his mother laughing and talking, he got up and brought a light. His mother would turn on him in a rage, but he paid no attention, and so everyone thought him a brave boy. But there was no limit to his games. Every day he played at being a plasterer, piling bricks and stones up in the windows, and when he was told to stop, he would not listen. If anyone took away a single stone, he rolled on the ground and howled like a spoiled child, and no one dared cross him. In a few days both windows were blocked up and not a chink of light came in. Then he mixed mud and plastered over the holes in the walls, busy all day long and never minding the work. When the plastering was done and he had nothing else to do, he took the kitchen knife and whetted it, rasp, rasp. Everyone who saw him hated his wildness and would have nothing to do with him.
兒宵分隱刀于懷，以瓢覆燈。伺母囈語，急啟燈，杜門聲喊。久之無異，乃離門揚言，詐作欲搜狀。歘有一物，如狸，突奔門隙。急擊之，僅斷其尾，約二寸許，濕血猶滴。初，挑燈起，母便詬罵，兒若弗聞。擊之不中，懊恨而寢。自念雖不即戮，可以幸其不來。及明，視血跡逾垣而去。跡之，入何氏園中。至夜果絕，兒竊喜。但母痴臥如死。未幾，賈人歸，就榻問訊。婦謾罵，視若仇。兒以狀對。翁驚，延醫藥之。婦瀉藥詬罵。潛以藥入湯水雜飲之，數日漸安。父子俱喜。一夜睡醒，失婦所在；父子又覓得于別室。由是復顛，不欲與夫同室處。向夕，竟奔他室，挽之，罵益甚。翁無策，盡扃他扉。婦奔去，則門自闢。翁患之，驅禳備至，殊無少驗。
半夜，孩子把刀藏在懷裡，用瓢蓋住燈。他等母親開始說夢話，急忙揭開瓢，堵住門，大聲喊叫。過了很久，沒有什麼動靜，他便離開門口，故意大聲說話，裝出要搜查屋子的樣子。忽然，有個像狸一樣的東西猛地奔向門縫。他急忙揮刀砍去，只砍斷了它的尾巴，約有兩寸長，還滴著鮮血。先前他把燈照亮時，母親就開始罵他，他像沒聽見一樣。這次沒有砍中要害，他懊惱地上床睡了，心想雖然沒能當場殺死它，但也許能讓它不再來了。天亮後，他看見血跡越過牆頭，便循著血跡追去，一直到了何家的園子裡。那天夜裡，狐狸果然沒來，孩子暗暗高興。可是，母親卻呆呆地躺著，像死了一樣。不久，經商的父親回來了，到床邊問候妻子。妻子破口大罵，把他當成仇人。孩子向父親講了事情的經過。老翁大驚，請醫生來給她治病。婦人把藥倒掉，連聲辱罵。家人便偷偷把藥摻進湯水，讓她喝下，過了幾天，漸漸平靜下來，父子都很高興。一天夜裡醒來，發現婦人又不見了，父子倆再次在別的屋裡找到她。從此，她又發了瘋，不願和丈夫同住一間屋子。每到傍晚，她就奔向別的屋子，去拉她，她反而罵得更厲害。老翁沒有辦法，把其他房門全都鎖上，可婦人跑過去，門便自行打開。老翁十分苦惱，各種驅邪祈禱的辦法都用遍了，卻一點效果也沒有。
儿宵分隐刀于怀，以瓢覆灯。伺母呓语，急启灯，杜门声喊。久之无异，乃离门扬言，诈作欲搜状。歘有一物，如狸，突奔门隙。急击之，仅断其尾，约二寸许，湿血犹滴。初，挑灯起，母便诟骂，儿若弗闻。击之不中，懊恨而寝。自念虽不即戮，可以幸其不来。及明，视血迹逾垣而去。迹之，入何氏园中。至夜果绝，儿窃喜。但母痴卧如死。未几，贾人归，就榻问讯。妇谩骂，视若仇。儿以状对。翁惊，延医药之。妇泻药诟骂。潜以药入汤水杂饮之，数日渐安。父子俱喜。一夜睡醒，失妇所在；父子又觅得于别室。由是复颠，不欲与夫同室处。向夕，竟奔他室，挽之，骂益甚。翁无策，尽扃他扉。妇奔去，则门自辟。翁患之，驱禳备至，殊无少验。
半夜，孩子把刀藏在怀里，用瓢盖住灯。他等母亲开始说梦话，急忙揭开瓢，堵住门，大声喊叫。过了很久，没有什么动静，他便离开门口，故意大声说话，装出要搜查屋子的样子。忽然，有个像狸一样的东西猛地奔向门缝。他急忙挥刀砍去，只砍断了它的尾巴，约有两寸长，还滴着鲜血。先前他把灯照亮时，母亲就开始骂他，他像没听见一样。这次没有砍中要害，他懊恼地上床睡了，心想虽然没能当场杀死它，但也许能让它不再来了。天亮后，他看见血迹越过墙头，便循着血迹追去，一直到了何家的园子里。那天夜里，狐狸果然没来，孩子暗暗高兴。可是，母亲却呆呆地躺着，像死了一样。不久，经商的父亲回来了，到床边问候妻子。妻子破口大骂，把他当成仇人。孩子向父亲讲了事情的经过。老翁大惊，请医生来给她治病。妇人把药倒掉，连声辱骂。家人便偷偷把药掺进汤水，让她喝下，过了几天，渐渐平静下来，父子都很高兴。一天夜里醒来，发现妇人又不见了，父子俩再次在别的屋里找到她。从此，她又发了疯，不愿和丈夫同住一间屋子。每到傍晚，她就奔向别的屋子，去拉她，她反而骂得更厉害。老翁没有办法，把其他房门全都锁上，可妇人跑过去，门便自行打开。老翁十分苦恼，各种驱邪祈祷的办法都用遍了，却一点效果也没有。
At midnight the boy hid the knife in his clothes and covered the lamp with a gourd ladle. He waited until his mother began talking in her sleep, then quickly uncovered the lamp, blocked the door, and shouted. For a long while nothing happened. Then he moved away from the door, loudly making as if he meant to search the room. All at once something like a wildcat shot out toward the gap in the door. He struck at it quickly, but only cut off its tail, about two inches long, still dripping wet blood. When he had first lit up the lamp, his mother had started cursing him, but he acted as if he did not hear. Now that his blow had missed, he went to bed sore and vexed. He thought: though I didn’t kill it outright, maybe it won’t come back. At daybreak he saw that the trail of blood went over the wall. He followed it into the garden of the He family. That night, sure enough, it did not come, and the boy was secretly glad. But his mother lay stupefied, as if dead. Before long the merchant came home and went to her bedside to ask how she was. She railed at him and looked at him as if he were her enemy. The boy told him all that had happened. Shocked, the father called in a doctor to treat her. She poured the medicine away and cursed. So they secretly mixed it into her soup and water, and in a few days she grew calmer. Father and son were both glad. Then one night they woke and she was gone; again father and son found her in another room. From then on she was mad again and would not stay in the same room as her husband. Toward evening she would run off to another room, and if they tried to pull her back she cursed all the worse. At his wits’ end, the father locked every other door. But when she ran to them, the doors opened of themselves. He was in despair. He tried every kind of exorcism and charm, without the least effect.
兒薄暮潛入何氏園，伏莽中，將以探狐所在。月初昇，乍聞人語。暗撥蓬科，見二人來飲，一長鬣奴捧壺，衣老棕色。語俱細隱，不甚可辨。移時，聞一人曰：「明日可取白酒一瓶來。」頃之，俱去，惟長鬣獨留，脫衣臥庭石上。審顧之，四肢皆如人，但尾垂後部。兒欲歸，恐狐覺，遂終夜伏。未明，又聞二人以次復來，噥噥入竹叢中。兒乃歸。翁問所往，答：「宿阿伯家。」適從父入市，見帽肆掛狐尾，乞翁市之。翁不顧。兒牽父衣，嬌聒之。翁不忍過拂，市焉。父貿易廛中，兒戲弄其側，乘父他顧，盜錢去，沽白酒，寄肆廊。有舅氏城居，素業獵。兒奔其家。舅他出。妗詰母疾，答云：「連朝稍可，又以耗子嚙衣，怒涕不解，故遣我乞獵藥耳。」妗撿櫝，出錢許，裹付兒。兒少之。妗欲作湯餅啖兒。兒覷室無人，自發藥裹，竊盈掬而懷之。乃趨告妗，俾勿舉火，「父待市中，不遑食也」。遂徑出，隱以藥置酒中。遨游市上，抵暮方歸。父問所在，托在舅家。兒自是日游廛肆間。
傍晚，孩子悄悄進入何家的園子，伏在草叢裡，想探明狐狸的藏身之處。月亮剛升起來，他忽然聽見有人說話，便暗暗撥開雜草，看見兩個人來喝酒，一個長鬍須的僕人捧著酒壺，穿著深棕色的衣服。幾個人說話聲音很低，聽不太清楚。過了一陣，他聽見一人說：「明天可以拿一瓶白酒來。」不久，兩個人都走了，只有長鬍須的僕人留下，脫了衣服，躺在院裡的石頭上。孩子仔細看去，他的四肢都和人一樣，只是身後垂著一條尾巴。孩子想回去，又怕狐狸察覺，便整夜伏在那裡。天還沒亮，又聽見那兩個人先後回來，嘟嘟囔囔地走進竹叢，孩子才回家。父親問他去了哪裡，他說：「在伯父家過夜。」後來，他跟父親進城趕集，看見帽子鋪裡掛著狐狸尾巴，便求父親買下。父親不理他，他就拉著父親的衣服，撒嬌吵鬧。父親不忍心太違揹他的意思，便買了下來。父親在集市上做買賣，孩子在旁邊玩，趁父親看向別處，偷了些錢走開，買了白酒，寄放在一家店鋪的走廊裡。他有個舅舅住在城裡，平時以打獵為業，便跑到舅舅家。舅舅出門去了，舅媽問起母親的病，他回答：「這幾天稍微好些了，可老鼠又咬壞了衣服，她氣得一直哭，所以叫我來討些打獵用的毒藥。」舅媽翻找匣子，拿出一錢左右的藥，包好交給他。孩子嫌少。舅媽要給他做麵條吃，他見屋裡沒人，便自己打開藥包，偷了滿滿一捧，藏在懷裡。隨後趕去告訴舅媽不要生火，說：「父親在集市上等著，來不及吃了。」便徑直出門，偷偷把藥放進酒裡。他在集市上游逛，直到傍晚才回家。父親問他去了哪裡，他推說在舅舅家。從此，孩子天天在集市店鋪之間遊逛。
儿薄暮潜入何氏园，伏莽中，将以探狐所在。月初升，乍闻人语。暗拨蓬科，见二人来饮，一长鬣奴捧壶，衣老棕色。语俱细隐，不甚可辨。移时，闻一人曰：「明日可取白酒一瓶来。」顷之，俱去，惟长鬣独留，脱衣卧庭石上。审顾之，四肢皆如人，但尾垂后部。儿欲归，恐狐觉，遂终夜伏。未明，又闻二人以次复来，哝哝入竹丛中。儿乃归。翁问所往，答：「宿阿伯家。」适从父入市，见帽肆挂狐尾，乞翁市之。翁不顾。儿牵父衣，娇聒之。翁不忍过拂，市焉。父贸易廛中，儿戏弄其侧，乘父他顾，盗钱去，沽白酒，寄肆廊。有舅氏城居，素业猎。儿奔其家。舅他出。妗诘母疾，答云：「连朝稍可，又以耗子啮衣，怒涕不解，故遣我乞猎药耳。」妗捡椟，出钱许，裹付儿。儿少之。妗欲作汤饼啖儿。儿觑室无人，自发药裹，窃盈掬而怀之。乃趋告妗，俾勿举火，「父待市中，不遑食也」。遂径出，隐以药置酒中。遨游市上，抵暮方归。父问所在，托在舅家。儿自是日游廛肆间。
傍晚，孩子悄悄进入何家的园子，伏在草丛里，想探明狐狸的藏身之处。月亮刚升起来，他忽然听见有人说话，便暗暗拨开杂草，看见两个人来喝酒，一个长胡须的仆人捧着酒壶，穿着深棕色的衣服。几个人说话声音很低，听不太清楚。过了一阵，他听见一人说：“明天可以拿一瓶白酒来。”不久，两个人都走了，只有长胡须的仆人留下，脱了衣服，躺在院里的石头上。孩子仔细看去，他的四肢都和人一样，只是身后垂着一条尾巴。孩子想回去，又怕狐狸察觉，便整夜伏在那里。天还没亮，又听见那两个人先后回来，嘟嘟囔囔地走进竹丛，孩子才回家。父亲问他去了哪里，他说：“在伯父家过夜。”后来，他跟父亲进城赶集，看见帽子铺里挂着狐狸尾巴，便求父亲买下。父亲不理他，他就拉着父亲的衣服，撒娇吵闹。父亲不忍心太违背他的意思，便买了下来。父亲在集市上做买卖，孩子在旁边玩，趁父亲看向别处，偷了些钱走开，买了白酒，寄放在一家店铺的走廊里。他有个舅舅住在城里，平时以打猎为业，便跑到舅舅家。舅舅出门去了，舅妈问起母亲的病，他回答：“这几天稍微好些了，可老鼠又咬坏了衣服，她气得一直哭，所以叫我来讨些打猎用的毒药。”舅妈翻找匣子，拿出一钱左右的药，包好交给他。孩子嫌少。舅妈要给他做面条吃，他见屋里没人，便自己打开药包，偷了满满一捧，藏在怀里。随后赶去告诉舅妈不要生火，说：“父亲在集市上等着，来不及吃了。”便径直出门，偷偷把药放进酒里。他在集市上游逛，直到傍晚才回家。父亲问他去了哪里，他推说在舅舅家。从此，孩子天天在集市店铺之间游逛。
At dusk the boy slipped into the He family’s garden and lay hidden in the undergrowth, meaning to find where the foxes were. As the moon was rising, he suddenly heard voices. Quietly parting the weeds, he saw two men come there to drink, with a long-bearded servant holding the wine pot, dressed in dark brown. They spoke low and close, and he could not make out much. After a while he heard one of them say, “Tomorrow, bring a jar of spirits.” Soon both of them left. Only the long-beard stayed behind. He took off his clothes and lay down on a stone in the courtyard. The boy looked him over carefully: his limbs were all like a man’s, but a tail hung down behind. The boy wanted to go home but was afraid the fox would notice, so he lay hidden all night. Before dawn he heard the two men come back one after the other and go muttering into the bamboo thicket. Then the boy went home. His father asked where he had been. “I stayed at Uncle’s,” he said. Later, going to market with his father, he saw a fox tail hanging in a hat shop and begged his father to buy it. His father ignored him. The boy tugged at his clothes and whined and pestered until his father could not bear to refuse him any longer, and bought it. While his father did business at his stall, the boy played beside him. When his father looked away, he stole some money, bought spirits, and left the jar under the arcade of a shop. His mother’s brother lived in the city and was a hunter by trade. The boy ran to his house. His uncle was out. His aunt asked after his mother’s illness. “She’s been a little better these few days,” he said, “but rats have been gnawing her clothes, and she’s so angry she can’t stop crying. So she sent me to ask for some of the hunting poison.” His aunt looked in a box, took out about a qian of it, wrapped it up and gave it to him. The boy thought it was too little. His aunt went off to make him noodles. Seeing no one in the room, the boy opened the packet himself, stole a full handful and tucked it into his clothes. Then he hurried to tell his aunt not to light the fire: “Father’s waiting for me in the market. There’s no time to eat.” He went straight out and secretly put the poison into the spirits. He wandered about the market and did not come home until dark. When his father asked where he had been, he said he had been at his uncle’s. From then on the boy roamed the shops and stalls every day.
一日，見長鬣人亦雜儔中。兒審之確，陰綴系之。漸與語，詰其居里。答言：「北村。」亦詢兒，兒偽云：「山洞。」長鬣怪其洞居。兒笑曰：「我世居洞府，君固否耶？」其人益驚，便詰姓氏。兒曰：「我胡氏之子。曾在何處，見君從兩郎，顧忘之耶？」其人熟審之，若信若疑。兒微啟下裳，少少露其假尾，曰：「我輩混跡人中，但此物猶存，為可恨耳。」其人問：「在市欲何作？」兒曰：「父遣我沽。」其人亦以沽告。兒問：「沽未？」曰：「吾儕多貧，故常竊時多。」兒曰：「此役亦良苦，耽驚懮。」其人曰：「受主人遣，不得不爾。」因問：「主人伊誰？」曰：「即曩所見兩郎兄弟也。一私北郭王氏婦，一宿東村某翁家。翁家兒大惡，被斷尾，十日始瘥，今復往矣。」言已，欲別，曰：「勿誤我事。」兒曰：「竊之難，不若沽之易。我先沽寄廊下，敬以相贈。我囊中尚有餘錢，不愁沽也。」其人愧無以報。兒曰：「我本同類，何靳些須？暇時，尚當與君痛飲耳。」遂與俱去，取酒授之，乃歸。
一天，他看見那個長鬍須的人也在人群裡，認準以後，便暗中跟著他。漸漸和他搭上話，問他住在哪裡。那人回答：「北村。」那人也問孩子，孩子謊稱：「山洞。」長鬍須的人覺得他住在洞裡很奇怪。孩子笑著說：「我們家世世代代住在洞府裡，你難道不是嗎？」那人更加驚訝，便問他姓什麼。孩子說：「我是胡家的兒子。曾經在一個地方見過你跟著兩位公子，你忘了嗎？」那人仔細打量他，將信將疑。孩子微微掀起下衣，露出一點假尾巴，說：「我們這一類混在人群裡，可這東西還留著，真討厭。」那人問：「你在集市上要做什麼？」孩子說：「父親叫我來買酒。」那人也說自己來買酒。孩子問：「買到了嗎？」那人說：「我們大多窮困，所以常常是偷來的。」孩子說：「這差事也真辛苦，整天提心吊膽。」那人說：「主人派我來，不能不這樣。」孩子便問：「主人是誰？」那人說：「就是你先前見過的那兩位公子，他們是兄弟。一個和北城外王家的婦人私通，一個夜裡住在東村某個老翁家。那老翁家的孩子十分兇惡，砍斷了他的尾巴，十天才養好，如今又去了。」說完，他想告別，說：「別耽誤我的事。」孩子說：「偷來難，買來容易。我先前買了一瓶，寄放在走廊下，就送給你吧。我袋裡還有錢，不愁再買。」那人慚愧，說沒有什麼可以回報。孩子說：「我們本來就是同類，何必吝惜這麼一點東西？有空的時候，還要和你好好喝一場呢。」於是，兩人一起過去，孩子取出酒交給他，便回了家。
一日，见长鬣人亦杂俦中。儿审之确，阴缀系之。渐与语，诘其居里。答言：「北村。」亦询儿，儿伪云：「山洞。」长鬣怪其洞居。儿笑曰：「我世居洞府，君固否耶？」其人益惊，便诘姓氏。儿曰：「我胡氏之子。曾在何处，见君从两郎，顾忘之耶？」其人熟审之，若信若疑。儿微启下裳，少少露其假尾，曰：「我辈混迹人中，但此物犹存，为可恨耳。」其人问：「在市欲何作？」儿曰：「父遣我沽。」其人亦以沽告。儿问：「沽未？」曰：「吾侪多贫，故常窃时多。」儿曰：「此役亦良苦，耽惊懮。」其人曰：「受主人遣，不得不尔。」因问：「主人伊谁？」曰：「即曩所见两郎兄弟也。一私北郭王氏妇，一宿东村某翁家。翁家儿大恶，被断尾，十日始瘥，今复往矣。」言已，欲别，曰：「勿误我事。」儿曰：「窃之难，不若沽之易。我先沽寄廊下，敬以相赠。我囊中尚有余钱，不愁沽也。」其人愧无以报。儿曰：「我本同类，何靳些须？暇时，尚当与君痛饮耳。」遂与俱去，取酒授之，乃归。
一天，他看见那个长胡须的人也在人群里，认准以后，便暗中跟着他。渐渐和他搭上话，问他住在哪里。那人回答：“北村。”那人也问孩子，孩子谎称：“山洞。”长胡须的人觉得他住在洞里很奇怪。孩子笑着说：“我们家世世代代住在洞府里，你难道不是吗？”那人更加惊讶，便问他姓什么。孩子说：“我是胡家的儿子。曾经在一个地方见过你跟着两位公子，你忘了吗？”那人仔细打量他，将信将疑。孩子微微掀起下衣，露出一点假尾巴，说：“我们这一类混在人群里，可这东西还留着，真讨厌。”那人问：“你在集市上要做什么？”孩子说：“父亲叫我来买酒。”那人也说自己来买酒。孩子问：“买到了吗？”那人说：“我们大多穷困，所以常常是偷来的。”孩子说：“这差事也真辛苦，整天提心吊胆。”那人说：“主人派我来，不能不这样。”孩子便问：“主人是谁？”那人说：“就是你先前见过的那两位公子，他们是兄弟。一个和北城外王家的妇人私通，一个夜里住在东村某个老翁家。那老翁家的孩子十分凶恶，砍断了他的尾巴，十天才养好，如今又去了。”说完，他想告别，说：“别耽误我的事。”孩子说：“偷来难，买来容易。我先前买了一瓶，寄放在走廊下，就送给你吧。我袋里还有钱，不愁再买。”那人惭愧，说没有什么可以回报。孩子说：“我们本来就是同类，何必吝惜这么一点东西？有空的时候，还要和你好好喝一场呢。”于是，两人一起过去，孩子取出酒交给他，便回了家。
One day he saw the long-bearded man among the crowd. When he was sure of him, he followed him in secret. By and by he fell into talk with him and asked where he lived. “North Village,” the man said. He asked the boy in turn, and the boy lied: “A mountain cave.” The long-beard was surprised that he lived in a cave. The boy laughed. “My family has lived in a cave for generations. Doesn’t yours?” The man was more startled still and asked his name. “I’m a son of the Hu family,” said the boy. “I’ve seen you somewhere, following two young gentlemen. Have you forgotten?” The man looked him over closely, half believing, half doubting. The boy lifted the hem of his robe a little and let a bit of his false tail show. “Our kind can pass among people,” he said, “but this thing is still with us. It’s a nuisance.” The man asked, “What are you doing in the market?” “My father sent me to buy liquor.” The man said he had come for liquor too. “Have you bought it yet?” asked the boy. “Our kind are mostly poor. Most of the time we steal it.” “That’s a hard job,” said the boy. “Always afraid of being caught.” “My masters send me. I have no choice.” “Who are your masters?” “The two young gentlemen you saw before. They’re brothers. One is carrying on with the wife of a man named Wang outside the north wall. The other spends his nights at an old man’s house in East Village. The old man’s boy is a vicious one. He cut off the young master’s tail, and it took ten days to heal. Now he’s gone back there again.” With that he made to leave. “Don’t make me late for my errand.” “Stealing is hard,” said the boy. “Buying is easier. I bought some earlier and left it under a shop arcade. Let me make you a present of it. I’ve still got money in my purse; I can buy more.” The man was embarrassed that he had nothing to give in return. “We’re the same kind,” said the boy. “Why grudge a trifle? Some day when we’re free, you and I will have a real drink together.” So they went off together. The boy fetched the liquor and handed it over, then went home.
至夜，母竟安寢，不復奔。心知有異，告父同往驗之，則兩狐斃于亭上，一狐死于草中，喙津津尚有血出。酒瓶猶在，持而搖之，未盡也。父驚問：「何不早告？」曰：「此物最靈，一泄，則彼知之。」翁喜曰：「我兒，討狐之陳平也。」於是父子荷狐歸。見一狐禿尾，刀痕儼然。自是遂安。而婦瘠殊甚，心漸明瞭，但益之嗽，嘔痰輒數升，尋愈。北郭王氏婦，向祟于狐；至是問之，則狐絕而病亦愈。翁由此奇兒，教之騎射。後貴至總戎。
到了夜裡，母親竟安安穩穩地睡著，不再往外跑。孩子心裡知道事情有了結果，便告訴父親，一起去檢視。只見兩隻狐狸死在亭子裡，一隻死在草中，嘴裡還有鮮血不斷滲出。酒瓶還在，拿起來搖了搖，裡面的酒還沒喝完。父親驚訝地問：「為什麼不早告訴我？」孩子說：「這東西最靈，一洩露訊息，它們就會知道。」老翁高興地說：「我的兒子，真是對付狐狸的陳平！」於是父子倆把狐狸扛回家，看見其中一隻尾巴斷了，刀痕清清楚楚。從此，家裡便安寧了。婦人瘦得厲害，神志漸漸清醒，只是又添了咳嗽，每次吐出的痰有好幾升，不久也好了。北城外王家的婦人先前也受狐狸作祟，到這時去問，狐狸已不再來，她的病也好了。老翁從此認為兒子非同一般，讓他學習騎馬射箭。後來，孩子做了總戎。
至夜，母竟安寝，不复奔。心知有异，告父同往验之，则两狐毙于亭上，一狐死于草中，喙津津尚有血出。酒瓶犹在，持而摇之，未尽也。父惊问：「何不早告？」曰：「此物最灵，一泄，则彼知之。」翁喜曰：「我儿，讨狐之陈平也。」于是父子荷狐归。见一狐秃尾，刀痕俨然。自是遂安。而妇瘠殊甚，心渐明了，但益之嗽，呕痰辄数升，寻愈。北郭王氏妇，向祟于狐；至是问之，则狐绝而病亦愈。翁由此奇儿，教之骑射。后贵至总戎。
到了夜里，母亲竟安安稳稳地睡着，不再往外跑。孩子心里知道事情有了结果，便告诉父亲，一起去查看。只见两只狐狸死在亭子里，一只死在草中，嘴里还有鲜血不断渗出。酒瓶还在，拿起来摇了摇，里面的酒还没喝完。父亲惊讶地问：“为什么不早告诉我？”孩子说：“这东西最灵，一泄露消息，它们就会知道。”老翁高兴地说：“我的儿子，真是对付狐狸的陈平！”于是父子俩把狐狸扛回家，看见其中一只尾巴断了，刀痕清清楚楚。从此，家里便安宁了。妇人瘦得厉害，神志渐渐清醒，只是又添了咳嗽，每次吐出的痰有好几升，不久也好了。北城外王家的妇人先前也受狐狸作祟，到这时去问，狐狸已不再来，她的病也好了。老翁从此认为儿子非同一般，让他学习骑马射箭。后来，孩子做了总戎。
That night his mother slept peacefully and did not run off. The boy knew something had happened. He told his father, and they went together to look. Two foxes lay dead in the pavilion, and one lay dead in the grass, blood still oozing from its muzzle. The jar was still there. He picked it up and shook it: it was not empty. His father asked in astonishment, “Why didn’t you tell me before?” “These creatures are uncanny. If a word got out, they’d know.” The father was delighted. “My boy, you’re a Chen Ping among fox hunters!” So father and son carried the foxes home on their shoulders. One fox had a stump of a tail, the knife cut plain to see. After that the house was at peace. The wife was dreadfully thin. Her mind slowly cleared, but she took a cough and brought up phlegm by the pint; soon she was well. Wang’s wife outside the north wall had long been haunted by a fox. When they asked after her now, the fox had stopped coming and she was well again. From then on the father thought his son remarkable and had him taught to ride and shoot. In time the boy rose to be a regional commander.