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The Legend of Zhong Kui
Zhong Kui is pronounced like “Jong Quay”
One dark and dour winter day
His mother sent her son Zhong Kui
Along with his good friend, Du Ping
To take exams held by the King.
Zhong Kui, a large and ugly lad,
had bulging eyes, appeared quite mad.
With big black beard he didn’t look
The type to study scrolls and books.
The eight-legged essay one must write
Took him a full three days, two nights.
Emerging from the barren cell,
He felt that he had done quite well.
But all the same he went home nervous
because to join the civil service
was his dream. Soon scores on tests
announced Zhong Kui’s to be the best.
He was summoned to see the King
Who gaped and asked how they could think
Someone with such a hideous face
Could be top scholar—What a disgrace!
Then Zhong Kui, shattered, bashed his head
Against the gate till he was dead.
The royal court recoiled with horror
As Zhong Kui’s brains oozed on the floor.
His friend Du Ping took up his body
To bury in the cemetery.
Hell’s Judge, impressed, condemned his soul
To help keep ghosts under control.
Now robed in red, five bats around him
He hunts rogue ghosts, harasses, hounds them,
Gives them a choice: Submit or die,
Take my commands or else you’ll fry.
Returning once by ghost-drawn carriage,
He gave his sister’s hand in marriage,
To good Du Ping, his faithful friend
Who stood by him until the end.
The King of Ghosts, the people say,
Will hear the words of those who pray,
And fervid beg that he help muster
His powers as the top ghostbuster.
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M.D. Skeen works as an attorney in Denver, Colorado.
Fascinating tale rooted in the requirement of those times to memorize reams of writing to be accepted into the ancient Chinese civil service. I remember reading about such Chinese examinations. For some reason the number 144 pages comes to mind, but that would have been from years ago and likely inaccurate.
Never judge a book by its cover. Great story, though I just wish Zhong Kui had got some payback on the king!
Thanks for the read, MD.
I had never heard the myth of Zhong Kui before now, but after reading this poem I was reminded of the figure of Charon in Greek mythology. He too is a big, hulking, ugly figure, and he is in charge of ferrying the souls of the dead across the River Styx. He can tyrannize over them, and he sometimes physically beats them, just as Zhong Kui does with misbehaving ghosts.
Charon is a god (the son of Night and Darkness), while Zhong Kui is a ghost himself.
This is an intriguing tale well told in a pleasant rhyming format. It’s entertaining and enjoyable to read. I like that it’s not overly ghoulishly and outrageously styled, but told matter-of-factly, which makes it sound more plausible. Great job!
This was great fun to read. You are lucky you don’t have to litigate this case.
I vaguely remember hearing this Chinese myth, but you make it come alive in vividly rollicking verse with, I believe, a few added details. An instant classic, I would say!