Long ago, in a bustling city in China, a humble tailor and his wife invited a cheerful hunchback to dinner. The evening was filled with laughter and joy, and in a moment of exuberance, the tailor fed him a large piece of fish. Tragically, the hunchback choked on a bone and collapsed, seemingly dead. Terrified at the thought of being accused of murder, the tailor and his wife hurriedly decided to dispose of the body.
The hunchback’s body then embarked on a bizarre and comical journey through the hands of many, each believing they were responsible for his death. First, the tailor and his wife left him at the home of a Jewish physician, propping him on the stairs before fleeing. The startled physician accidentally bumped the body, causing it to tumble down the stairs, and he feared he had killed his patient. In panic, he secretly placed the body into the chimney of the royal steward’s house. When the steward entered, he saw a shadowy figure and struck repeatedly with his staff, only to believe he had killed the hunchback. Later, a drunken Christian merchant found the body in a street corner, mistook it for an attacker, and pushed him over, just as the police arrived. Believing he had committed murder, the merchant was immediately arrested.
The situation escalated at the public court. As the Christian merchant faced execution, the steward rushed in, confessing that he was the guilty party. The Jewish physician immediately followed: “No, I am responsible!” The tailor also stepped forward: “It was I who fed him the fish!” Suddenly, the city was stunned by four people claiming responsibility for the same body, each telling a portion of the story before the astonished emperor. Intrigued by the absurdity of the case, the emperor summoned the most skilled storytellers to entertain him with their tales of wit and misfortune.
Amid the chaos, a skilled physician appeared. Calmly examining the hunchback, he discovered a small fishbone lodged in his throat and carefully removed it. Miraculously, the hunchback sneezed violently, sprang to life, and looked around in utter confusion. Laughter and relief rippled through the city as the citizens witnessed his revival.
This whimsical tale carries timeless lessons. It satirizes human behavior, highlighting how fear and cowardice can spiral into comical misunderstandings. It celebrates honesty and accountability, showing that those who confess their roles with integrity can ultimately save themselves and others. At the same time, it entertains with its dark humor, demonstrating how even near-tragedy can become a source of laughter and wonder.