This is a true story, though it sounds suspiciously like a fable.


A tiny tobacco pouch tied to the hand of an elderly man saved the lives of nearly 800 people in a remote Chinese village when a powerful earthquake struck Sichuan province last week, killing about 200 people.


The incident took place in Fujiaying village in Longmen township, just five km from Lushan county, the epicentre of the 7.0 magnitude quake on Saturday.

68-year-old Li Xianhe has being hailed as the saviour of Fujiaying after he pulled out this miracle, all thanks to his humble tobacco pouch. Li carries the pouch everywhere he goes, securing it to his wrist by a piece of string when he lies down to sleep.


Just before the quake struck, Li was woken by the violent rocking of the tobacco pouch hanging from his arm. "It's really weird, you know? I experienced the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 and my instincts told me just one thing - earthquake. I yelled out 'earthquake, earthquake' and rushed my family out of the house immediately," he told state-run China Daily today.


Rather than trying to re-enter their house and collect valuables, Li and his family rushed along the village road and shouted to their neighbours, warning them of the impending disaster. "Run! Quickly! Leave everything behind and run!" yelled Li in the hope his voice would alert those still indoors.


As his cries rang out, many villagers ran from their homes and joined him in the road. Fearing a large number of injuries in the village, Li and the other residents went from door to door, calling out and checking to see if anyone was trapped inside. Li let out a long sigh of relief when every one of the more than 800 villagers was gathered unscathed outside. "Thank goodness, we were all alive and fine," said Li, his voice still hoarse a few days after the disaster.