法苑珠林 31.62

31.62

中山王周南。正始中為襄邑長。有鼠從穴出在廳事上。語曰。周南爾以某月某日當死。周南急往不應。鼠還穴。後至期復出。更冠幘皂衣而語曰。周南汝日中當死。周南復不應。鼠復入穴。斯須復出復入。轉行數語如前日。過中鼠復曰周南汝不應。我復何道。言訖顛蹶而死。即失衣冠。周南便卒取視。俱如常鼠。

During the Zhengshi era, Zhou Nan, the Prince of Zhongshan, served as magistrate of Xiangyi. A rat emerged from a hole onto the hall and said, 'Zhou Nan, on such-and-such a month and such-and-such a day, you shall die.' Zhou Nan went hurriedly and did not answer; the rat returned to its hole. Later, when the date arrived, it emerged again, now wearing a cap, headcloth, and black garments, and said, 'Zhou Nan, you shall die at midday.' Zhou Nan again did not answer. The rat went back into its hole. In a short while, it came out and went in again, pacing about several times and speaking as before. When midday passed, the rat said again, 'Zhou Nan, you do not answer; what more can I say?' As soon as it finished speaking, it stumbled and fell dead, instantly losing its clothes and cap. Zhou Nan promptly stepped forward and took it to look at; it was entirely like an ordinary rat.