This book introduces twelve short stories selected from the ""Yushi Mingyan"", ""Jingshi Tongyan"", and ""Xingshi Hengyan"" anthologies edited by the late Ming writer Feng Menglong (1574-1646). Drawn largly from real-life experiences and folklores, these stories offer to students a rich source of information concerning the customs, beliefs, and everyday lives of ordinary people in Ming society. This selection is thus made with a view to stimulating students to learn more about Chinese literature and culture. Teachers will welcome this reader as a valuable resource that combines language learning with an introduction to Chinese literature. Besides, the use of Vernacular Chinese in these stories makes the book a bridging text between Classical and Modern Chinese. Each story is presented, on facing pages, with a list of words and phrases still in use today. Each story is accompanied by an exercise, with discussion topics that encourage students to sharpen their writing and speaking skills. A vocabulary index is appended for easy reference. This book can be used as a supplement to any Mandarin Chinese textbook, as well as reading materials for independent learners.