I believe everyone has heard the phrase "weasel gives the chicken a New Year's greeting", which means that when the weasel comes, the chickens will be in big trouble. But did you know that despite the weasel's bad reputation, the old people in the village insisted on not being allowed to eat this little thing, saying that they would be punished for eating it? No, a farmer was stolen by a weasel and wanted to retaliate in anger, but something unthinkable happened. What is the origin of the weasel, can it have fairy energy or is it just a product of superstition?
One sunny morning, on October 6, 2019, Master Lu from Zhashui County, Shangluo City, was about to feed the chickens as usual, but unexpectedly, he found that all 18 chickens he had raised had died! This small but notorious animal not only cost Master Lu nearly a thousand yuan, but also made him angry.
In rural China, weasels have always been a controversial character. In folklore, weasels are spiritual, one of the "Five Great Immortals", often alongside foxes, hedgehogs and other animals, and are believed to be able to cultivate into immortals, and even deify them in some places, called "Wong Tai Sin". This legend is derived from the Taoist concept of animism, which believes that these animals can gain supernatural powers through practice and influence the fate of people.
But is the weasel really so mysterious? Reports on the Internet about the 1997 Henan weasel incident may give us some clues. In the story, a family sets a trap for weasels to steal chickens, and as a result, they make a lot of money. The son of the family dreamed that an old man in yellow warned them not to hurt the weasel again, or they would be punished. They didn't pay attention to the dream, and eventually tragedy befell the family.
Does this kind of story make you feel that the weasel is not simple, or even a little creepy? In fact, most of these legends are born out of people's fear and respect for nature and the unknown. In many places, people prefer to stay away from these animals, which are believed to be spiritual.
From a scientific point of view, the reason why weasels have a place in folklore is also related to their unique survival skills. Weasels for example, when threatened, release a foul smell from the glands next to their anus, which is strong enough to make predators shy away and make people feel dizzy. This may be the scientific explanation for their "boundless power".
Although modern science has unraveled many of the mysteries of weasels, these legends are still deeply ingrained in the minds of many older generations. They would rather believe what they have than what they don't, and choose to respect rather than challenge nature. This attitude, in a sense, is also a wisdom of ecological balance. In their view, every living thing has its own reason and value, and human beings should live in harmony with nature, rather than interfere with it.
And today, are we faced with the problem of just one species of weasel? In life, we often encounter similar dilemmas and choices. For example, when pests invade our homes, do we choose to use chemicals, or do we find more environmentally friendly solutions? When we encounter wild animals, do we choose to drive them away, or do we learn how to live peacefully with them?
These questions are undoubtedly a test of our wisdom and morality. The story of the weasel is not only a legend about a small animal, but also a profound reflection on the relationship between man and nature. How can we find a way to live in harmony with nature in modern society is a question worth thinking about for everyone.
The story of the weasel is a bridge between folklore and reality. It not only reflects people's awe and respect for nature, but also reminds us to have a humble and exploratory heart when facing the mystical phenomena of nature. In the modern world, learning to live in harmony with nature and respecting every life may be the best legacy we can give to future generations. The next time you hear a story about a weasel, it may no longer be a simple fear or superstition, but a deep understanding and respect for ecological balance and biodiversity.