Thunderstorms are common natural phenomena. However, sometimes, lightning strikes target certain unjust behaviors in the human world. People might say it’s a coincidence, but when there are many such “coincidences,” can we ignore their more profound meaning? This article presents three examples for readers to ponder.
Lightning strikes an unfilial son in Lu’an
During the Ming Dynasty, in Lu’an (now west of Hefei City in Anhui Province), Yu adored his wife, but often mistreated his mother. One day, while Yu’s mother and wife played with his grandson, the child accidentally fell into the water. Fearing her son’s wrath, Yu’s mother hurriedly jumped into the water to save the child. When the wife returned home and told her husband about the incident, the mother hid at her daughter’s house, fearing her son’s scolding.
Upon hearing his wife’s account, Yu sent someone to persuade his mother to return, saying: “The child fell into the water, and thanks to you, he was saved. Why run to your daughter’s house and make me feel even more guilty? Please return and change into dry clothes; no need to worry.”
Feeling reassured, the mother returned, not knowing that Yu’s words were deceitful. Yu lay in ambush halfway, holding an iron hammer, ready to attack his mother. Just as he was about to strike, a sudden thunderclap sounded, and lightning struck him down next to a large willow tree at his doorstep. Another bolt of lightning split the tree, trapping him inside.
When the mother returned home and saw this scene, she knelt and prayed under the tree. Surprisingly, with each prayer, the tree clamped tighter, causing her son immense pain. Eventually, he begged his mother to stop praying. The unfilial son remained trapped in the tree for three days, attracting countless onlookers. On the third day, a thunderbolt struck the tree, shattering it into pieces, and the son’s body vanished without a trace.
Lightning strikes an unfilial daughter in Guangling
In Guangling, there was a minor official named Ouyang. His wife had lost her parents during a war when she was young, and their family lived in front of a temple. One day, an old man came to Ouyang’s house, claiming to be Ouyang’s wife’s father. Seeing his poverty and shabby appearance, Ouyang’s wife was displeased and refused to acknowledge him. The old man accurately recounted her name and family relations, but she still didn’t believe him.
The old man pleaded repeatedly, saying: “I came from afar and have nowhere to go. Can I stay at your house for a few nights?” Ouyang’s wife refused, and her husband’s persuasion was in vain. The old man, left with no choice, departed, saying: “I will report you!” People thought he meant reporting to the authorities and paid no attention.
The next day at noon, a violent storm came from the south, and lightning entered Ouyang’s house, dragging his wife into the courtyard and killing her. The heavy rain flooded the ground several feet deep, terrifying the neighbors. A few days later, Ouyang’s subordinates found a letter of complaint from the old father in front of the deity’s statue at the Houtu Temple.
Thunder strikes thief to save woman
In Suichang, there was a village woman named Shen. One day, her husband sold a pig and earned a few taels of silver, which he handed to his wife for safekeeping before leaving. A nearby thief, aware of the silver’s location, stole it. Fearing her husband’s anger and blame, Shen hanged herself.
As the thief was about to prepare her body for burial, a voice from the sky said: “You stole her belongings and caused her death; is this by heavenly principles?” Immediately, a thunderclap sounded, and the thief, holding the stolen goods, was struck dead by lightning, kneeling before Shen. Shen felt someone knock on her forehead, saying: “Your silver has been found; why seek death?” She then woke up.
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