During the Kangxi era, a certain street performer carried a wooden box with him, inside which resided a tiny figure, barely a foot high.

If someone tossed in money, the performer would open the box, allowing the little man to perform, sing a tune, and then retreat back inside.

One day, the performer arrived in Yexian. The County Magistrate demanded the wooden box and brought it back to his residence, intent on interrogating the origins of the small figure.

At first, the little man dared not speak, but under repeated and relentless questioning from the Magistrate, he finally consented to recount his family history.

It turned out he had originally been a young attendant boy. After returning from his studies at the local schoolhouse, he was bewitched by the street performer, drugged, and harmed, causing his body to shrink as a result.

The street performer then carried him around, performing for profit.

Upon hearing this, the Magistrate was furious. He immediately executed the street performer and summoned a doctor to treat the small man, but alas, the condition could no longer be cured.