The Tiger Guest

"Mr. Miao" (Chinese: 苗生; pinyin: Miáo shēng), also translated as "The Tiger Guest" and "Student Miao", is a short story by Pu Songling first published in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio (1740). It revolves around a few Chinese scholars and their encounter with a tiger spirit named Miao. En route to Xi'an for an examination, Minzhou (岷州) scholar Gong (龚) stops for a drink at an inn, where he is approached by a burly but well-mannered stranger who introduces himself as "Miao" (苗). Gong buys him a drink, but this does not satisfy Miao; Miao heads to the marketplace and returns with a considerably large jar of wine. Gong is coerced into drinking a few more cups of liquor, whereas Miao drinks from a bowl. Miao admits to Gong that he is not adept at entertaining guests, and tells him that he may leave if he pleases. Shortly after bidding Miao farewell, however, Gong's horse collapses; Miao, who happens to be in the vicinity, comes to Gong's aid, and single-handedly carries the horse to a nearby lodge. Amazed and thankful, Gong invites Miao to another round of drinks.