Vladar preizkusi vedeža

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Vladar preizkusi vedeža

Sun Xiu, emperor of Wu, fell ill and sought a shaman who could see spirits. When one was found, he decided to put him to the test. He had a goose killed and buried in the palace gardens, then erected a small hut over it, furnished it with a bed and a low table, and laid out a woman’s clogs, shoes, clothing, and other belongings. He ordered the shaman to examine the place, saying, “If you can describe the appearance of the woman whose ghost haunts this grave, I shall reward you handsomely and believe in your powers.” The shaman said nothing all day. When the emperor pressed him for an answer, he finally said, “In truth, I see no ghost, only a white-headed goose standing on the grave. I did not report this at once because I suspected that a spirit had assumed this form, and I wished to wait until its true shape appeared before reaching a judgment. But it has not changed again, and I do not know why. I venture to report only what I have actually seen.”