In a remote mountain valley a small fox slipped into a hunter"s snare and lay helpless for hours, its life hanging by a thread. An itinerant man who owned a nearby lodge happened upon the wounded animal and, with no hesitation, rescued it. Months later the fox"s injuries had healed, yet its heart was heavy with gratitude toward the stranger who had saved it. In a desperate act of thanks, the fox prayed to the heavens for a blessing upon its savior. The divine answer was unexpected: the creature"s form shifted into that of a youthful fox‑girl, radiant and endearing.
When she sought out the man to express her thanks, she found him on his deathbed. Moved by his final wish—to pass on the abandoned hot‑spring resort—she resolved to take its reins. Though she possessed little understanding of human customs, the fox‑girl used whatever knowledge she had to tend the inn and serve its guests. Word of a mysterious, enchanting host spread, drawing travelers one by one to the mountain retreat. The transformation from a humble fox into a charming fox‑girl unfolded before all, driven by the desire to honor the man who had saved her life.
