The Tiger Matchmaker

In Longxi lived a girl called Adan, who gathered firewood in the hills and met a tiger. The tiger did not devour her, but took her collar in its mouth and bore her into a deep valley. Adan, certain of death, closed her eyes and waited. Arriving, the tiger set her on a rock and crouched guard like a sentry. In the valley dwelt a youth surnamed Pei, hiding from enemies, who had built a hut to read. Each dawn the tiger drove deer to the hut door; Pei cooked them to feed the girl. By night he lay within the threshold; the tiger kept watch without. A month passed; the two grew fond. The tiger seemed pleased, now and then bearing mountain flowers for her. Pei feared they could not return; the tiger, as if understanding, led them out to the great road and left. Pei took the girl home and told his tale. The villagers doubted, till they saw the tiger escort them from the ridge, and all bowed in awe. Pei's house was wealthy; he fetched her with rites, and they loved well. Each Qingming after, the couple brought wine and meat into the hills to honor the tiger, which appeared or not; when it came it wagged its tail like an old friend. The Chronicler of the Strange remarks: The tiger that eats men is feared of the world; yet it chose a husband for the girl, kinder than any matchmaker. Men scheme over marriage for gain and power, and fall short of the tiger's single sincerity. Beasts know a match must please both; why do men heap resentful couples behind the curtain?