This is a tale from ancient days, of a scholar of little means who dared to save a tiny, wounded dog — and in doing so, discovered the true power of goodness.
Fubao’s brave plea for help
Fubao reached the clinic and frantically scratched at the tightly shut door, barking urgently and loudly, piercing the quiet night. The clinic’s apprentice was awakened and, seeing it was a dog, angrily grabbed a broom to chase it away. “Get out, wild dog! Go away!” Fubao refused to leave, barking more urgently and desperately, even attempting to rush into the clinic.
The apprentice grew annoyed and kicked it. Fubao yelped in pain, but still wouldn’t leave, continuing to bark, even shedding tears from its eyes. At that moment, the old doctor was awakened by the noise. He emerged in his robe, finding the scene unusual. Having practiced medicine for many years, he recognized the dog’s behavior as remarkable rather than mere mischief. “Wait.” The old doctor stopped the apprentice and carefully observed Fubao. “Little dog, so anxious at this hour… could it be that you’re here to seek help?”
Fubao seemed to understand immediately, stopping its barking, running to the old doctor’s leg, and biting his trouser leg. It pulled with all its might, whimpering in pleading. The old doctor immediately understood. “Is it really urgent? Quickly, lead the way!” Fubao instantly released his grip and ran toward the brick kiln, glancing back to make sure the old doctor followed. The doctor quickly called the apprentice, grabbed a lantern, and followed Fubao.
When they reached the brick kiln, the old doctor saw Li Wen, already unconscious and barely breathing, and was shocked. “Oh no, he’s seriously ill! If we delay any longer, he might lose his life.” He immediately drew silver needles to treat Li and instructed the apprentice to fetch medicine without delay. Fubao quietly kept watch beside them, staring intently at Li, his body still trembling slightly from the earlier run and the cold.
After a long period of treatment, Li slowly opened his eyes and was out of danger. The old doctor sighed. “Young man, you’ve raised a loyal dog. If it hadn’t desperately sought help, you wouldn’t have made it through the night. This dog is brilliant and knows how to repay kindness.” Only then did Li realize that Fubao had saved him. He reached out and patted the dog’s head, and Fubao affectionately licked his hand, wagging his tail like a drum.
After hearing about Li Wen’s experience rescuing the dog and enduring hardships, the old doctor was even more moved. He not only waived Li’s medical fees but also gifted him some silver coins to help with his recovery. Once recovered, Li studied even harder and grew even more affectionate toward Fubao. Fubao’s leg injury had long since healed, and he ran and jumped as he used to. He was nearly inseparable from Li and had grown increasingly clever.
A change of fortune
More than half a year later, fortune finally turned. One of the students from the previous year’s exam was caught cheating and disqualified, leaving a spot open. Li, one of the outstanding candidates who had failed, was given a second chance. Although it was only a minor title, it was enough for him to secure a position as a clerk in a neighboring county. Li excitedly assumed his post with Fubao in tow. Though the position paid little, he finally had a stable income, with enough to eat and stay warm. He was filled with hope for life.
Li worked diligently, treating others with courtesy, and Fubao remained well-behaved, never causing trouble. The office staff grew fond of them both. However, there was a secretary named Wang, a smiling tiger with a narrow mind. He had originally intended to arrange for a distant relative to take Li Wen’s position, but Li unexpectedly accepted it instead. As a result, Wang harbored resentment and continually sought opportunities to drive Li away. He also noticed how particularly fond Li was of his dog, Fubao, treating the little animal as a family member.
Thus, Wang devised a malicious plan. One day, the county magistrate’s wife’s favorite jade bracelet went missing. They searched the entire courtyard but could not find it. Wang saw his opportunity. While Li was out on official business, he secretly hid the bracelet under Li’s bed in his dormitory, then pretended to care, bringing the magistrate and constables to Li’s room to “help search.”
As expected, the bracelet was “accidentally” found under Li’s bed. Li was dumbfounded, unable to defend himself. The magistrate was furious, believing Li to be of poor character, and immediately ordered his dismissal, 20 lashes, and imprisonment. Li shouted his innocence, but no one believed him. Two constables rushed forward like wolves, pinning him to the ground and raising a heavy board to strike. Wang watched from the side, a sinister smile on his face.
At this critical moment, Fubao, who had been anxiously pacing outside, somehow managed to push the door open and rushed in like a flash of yellow lightning. Instead of attacking anyone else, it lunged at the smug Wang, biting the hem of his robe and pulling him back with a growl.
“Hey! You unruly beast, get away!” Wang shouted, startled and angry, kicking at Fubao. But the dog bit down hard and refused to let go, even trying to drag him outside. This behavior was so unusual that everyone, including the magistrate, was stunned. Why did this dog attack Wang instead of protecting its master?
The magistrate began to doubt. “Stop! Pull this dog away first.” The constables quickly stepped forward to separate Fubao. Even after being pulled away, he continued to bark furiously at Wang, his eyes filled with anger and urgency.
Loyalty rewarded, justice served
Although Li didn’t fully understand why Fubao was acting this way, he trusted that the dog would never act without reason. Thinking quickly, he shouted: “Your Honor, this bracelet must have been planted! Look at Fubao’s unusual reaction — he must know something. Animals can sense things; they wouldn’t falsely accuse good people. I beg you to investigate thoroughly!”
The magistrate looked at Fubao, still growling at Wang, then at Wang himself, whose face had turned pale and whose eyes darted nervously. Doubts began to arise in his mind. After a moment of contemplation, he ordered: “Search! Thoroughly search Wang’s person and his residence!”
Upon hearing this, Wang panicked, his legs almost giving way. Sure enough, the constables quickly found a ledger in a locked drawer in Wang’s office, detailing his embezzlement and acceptance of bribes. The key to the drawer was hanging from Wang’s belt.
It turned out that after successfully framing Li, Wang had grown so arrogant that he forgot such an essential ledger in his office. Fubao may have seen Wang sneakily hiding items before, or perhaps he sensed his strong malice and guilt through his instincts, leading to this extraordinary and surprising action.
With irrefutable evidence, Wang collapsed to the ground, his face ashen, confessing everything — not only admitting to framing Li, but also revealing his corrupt deeds. The magistrate was suddenly enlightened, feeling both fear and shame. He quickly rushed to Li, untied him, repeatedly apologized, and reinstated him on the spot, even rewarding him with silver coins. Wang was dismissed and imprisoned.
Fubao’s unexpected act of loyalty had immediately averted a major crisis. Li held Fubao, tears streaming down his face, feeling both grateful and awed. He realized that without Fubao, he not only would have lost his reputation but might also have suffered an unjust fate — or even died in prison. From that day on, Li cherished Fubao even more; the two were inseparable.
The story of Li and his faithful dog spread widely. People said that Li’s kindness had been rewarded; he hadn’t just saved a dog, but a true guardian. Later, Li worked diligently for the people, enjoying a stable career and living a life of good deeds. He always treated Fubao with care, and Fubao remained by his side until many years later, when he passed away peacefully.
Li buried Fubao under a tree in the backyard and often visited the grave. He would tell others, “Don’t underestimate Fubao just because he’s a dog. He understands gratitude better than many people. I saved him without expecting any reward, yet he stood by me in my darkest hours, ultimately saving my life, proving my innocence, and preserving my future. In this world, kindness and goodness are never overlooked.”
See Part 1 here
Translated by Joseph Wu and edited by Tatiana Denning
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