Introduction by Ha Jin -- Preface to the first collection of short stories, "Call to arms" -- A madman's diary -- Kung I-chi -- Medicine -- Tomorrow -- An incident -- Storm in a teacup -- My old home -- The true story of Ah Q -- Village opera -- The new year's sacrifice -- In the wine shop -- A happy family -- Soap -- The misanthrope -- Regret for the past -- The divorce -- The flight to the moon -- Forging the swords