Original Text
In Yuancheng there lived a man named Shi Wucheng, who was idling at home one day when suddenly a bird alighted upon his roof, its color and cry resembling that of a crow. As soon as Shi Wucheng saw this bird, he said to his family, "The lady has sent a bird messenger to summon me. Quickly prepare the funeral rites, for on such-and-such a day I shall die." When that day arrived, he indeed passed away. At the funeral procession, the crow came again, following slowly behind the coffin, flying all the way from Yuancheng to Xincheng. Only after the burial was completed did the crow vanish. A man from Changshan named Wu Muxin witnessed this event with his own eyes.
Commentary
Though this brief tale spans less than a hundred words, it is complete and remarkably stirring in its supernatural quality, encompassing the foretelling of tidings, the arrival at the appointed time to fulfill its purpose, and leaving boundless room for imagination. The details—such as "suddenly a bird gathered upon the roof, its fragrance and hue resembling that of a crow," "on the day of burial, the crow returned, flying slowly alongside the hearse," and "only at the interment did the crow vanish from sight"—are rendered with concise and orderly strokes, showcasing exceptional literary skill.