法苑珠林 31.75

31.75

In the deep mountains of the western regions, there are people a little over a foot tall, with bare bodies, who catch shrimp and crabs. By nature they do not fear humans. When they see humans camping, they like to approach their fires to roast shrimp and crabs. Watching until humans are away, they steal people's salt to eat with their crabs. They are called 'mountain xiao.' Their voices cry out on their own. People constantly put bamboo into the fire to make crackling noises, and the mountain xiao are all frightened. Offending them causes one to suffer from chills and fever. (Although having human form, these are also of the category of ghosts and goblins; they exist in mountains everywhere.) The above is from the Shenyi jing.