这周我们在《阅微草堂笔记》读到了一则小故事：有个人家的书房被狐精占了，而且这个狐精白天同人说话，扔瓦片打人，只是看不到它的形状。地方官董思任是个好官，听说这件事后就亲自来驱逐狐精。当他正与狐精大谈道理时，狐精说：“您做官很爱护百姓，也不捞钱，所以我不敢打您。但您爱护百姓是图好名声，不捞钱是怕有后患，所以我也不躲避您。先生还是算了吧，不要说多了自找麻烦。”董思任于是狼狈地回去了。这家人有一个女佣长得粗粗笨笨的，但是只有她不害怕狐精，狐精也不飞砖头瓦片打她。有人问原因，狐精说：“她虽然是一个卑贱的佣人，却是一个真正孝顺的女人。鬼神见到她尚且要敛迹退避，何况是我们这样的呢！”这家人就叫女佣住在书房里，狐精当天就离开了。
以前我也听过这个故事，但是远远没有这次感受那么深刻。那些表面上看起来衣冠楚楚的人，自以为内心深处的阴暗面无人知晓。却不知内心所思所想、做任何事情的目的和心态在妖怪面前都无处躲藏，更何况在神明面前呢？这也提醒了我，不管在有没有人的情况下都要警惕自己的言行。表里如一，而不是做给别人看。
This week we read a short story in "Fantastic Tales By Ji Xiaolan": There was a man whose study room was occupied by a fox spirit, and the fox spirit talked to people during the day, threw tiles and beat them, but couldn't see its shape. The magistrate Dong Siren is a good official, and when he heard about this incident, he personally came to expel the fox spirit. When he was talking about the truth with the fox spirit, the fox spirit said: "You are an official who loves the people very much and doesn't make money, so I dare not beat you. But you love the people because you want to gain reputation, and if you don't make money, you are afraid Future troubles, so I will not avoid you either. Forget it sir, don’t talk too much and ask for trouble.” Dong Siren went back in a state of embarrassment. There is a maid in this family who is thick and clumsy, but she is the only one who is not afraid of the fox spirit, and the fox spirit does not fly bricks and tiles at her. Someone asked the reason, and the fox spirit said: "Although she is a lowly servant, she is a truly filial woman. Ghosts and gods will retreat when they see her, let alone us!" The family called the maid to live. In the study, the fox spirit left that day.
I have heard this story before, but it is far less profound than this time. Those who appear to be well-dressed on the surface think that the dark side of their hearts is unknown. But I don't know what I think in my heart, the purpose and mentality of doing anything, there is nowhere to hide in front of monsters, let alone in front of gods? This also reminded me to be vigilant about my words and deeds whether there are people or not. Be the same as the outside, not for others to see.