Comments by Yi Shi:
The countryman’s foolishness and stubbornness made him a laughingstock in the marketplace, and rightly so. It’s not uncommon to see rural landlords—so-called “local tycoons”—who begrudge a few grains of food when a friend in need asks for help. They grumble, “That’s several days’ worth of provisions!” When urged to aid someone in dire straits or to share a meal with the destitute, they furiously retort, “That would feed five or ten people!” Even among their closest kin, they haggle over every last cent.
Yet when such people are consumed by vices like gambling or visiting brothels, they squander money without a second thought. And when faced with punishment or death, they are quick to pay exorbitant sums to buy their way out of trouble. People like this are too numerous to name! Against such behavior, is it any surprise that a pear-selling countryman could be so obtuse and foolish?
Analysis
The tale of “Planting Pears” originates from In Search of the Supernatural (Soushen Ji) by Gan Bao, where a man named Xu Guang performed a similar trick in a marketplace. Later, Ming dynasty author Feng Menglong included a comparable account in A Comprehensive Record of Talks Old and New (Gujin Tanka).
While both stories center on illusions, Stealing Peaches narrates the author’s youthful experience through a limited perspective, emphasizing the miraculous act itself. In contrast, Planting Pears employs an omniscient narrative, focusing heavily on the Daoist’s actions—begging, eating, planting, and the magical growth of the pear tree, with vivid descriptions of the “large, fragrant pears filling the tree.” Yet, the core of the story isn’t the magic, but its moral critique: ridiculing miserliness and urging generosity.
The story cleverly shifts perspectives. After recounting the events, the narration aligns with the countryman’s viewpoint as he watches his goods vanish, realizing too late what had happened. This transition adds humor and depth, leaving a lasting impression of the Daoist’s trickery and its moral lesson.
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