Introduction.

The first two paragraphs of this song story follow the usual pattern. In the third paragraph no explanation is given why the young man’s mother was so determined to burn the bat skin. She could still have found it revolting, but on the other hand it may have been in order to insure that the young woman could never put it on and fly away again. No reason is given either for the fact that the destruction of the skin resulted in the girl’s death. When questioned on this point, Yang Xiu-gong answered that he did not know because the story does not say.

Translation
Literal Transcription
Notes

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