Peasant
Mountaineer
A
youngster climbed hills daily, in search of timber to be used for
charcoal.
Since
the passing of his father, he was the man of the household.
Demand
for cooking fuel, provided income, to support his aging mother.
She,
prepared a boxed lunch bundled up in a scarf, for him to carry every
morning.
He
would hang it on a branch of a tree, to keep ants from eating the
meal.
One
hot day, he decided to sit in the shade of the tree, to rest and
relax.
Collecting
firewood in the fresh air of the mountains, can be an enjoyable
occupation.
Scents
and sights in nature are a bonus, when you take time to sit and
observe them.
Quite
a few piles of firewood had been collected and bundled so, he decided
to have a little picnic.
He
smiled, stretched his sore muscles and, took off his shirt, spreading
it over some pine needles.
It
had been such a productive morning, he might get to go home early
today.
When,
he reached up to the branch his lunch had been tied to, something
seemed strange.
It
felt unusually light, as he lowered it to the ground. Soon, he'd know
why.
Untying
the knot, he opened the box of food and, it was empty. All his lunch
was gone!
He
shrugged and said, “Someone hungrier than, me must have taken the
meal.”
Then,
he got up and hurried, to finish his daily routine. And, never gave
the food a second thought.
The
next day was a repetition of the same events. No other humans were
encountered.
All
day the youngster was in the forest, never saw anyone yet, his noon
meal would disappear.
Bring
Two Lunches
Not
to upset mother, the lad kept it a secret. No sense making her worry
about him.
He
just told her, they had plenty of food in the house and, his hard
work made him hungry.
It
would be nice if, he had two bundles of boxed lunches, to eat while
working in the forest.
On
the third day, he hiked up the mountain carrying two lunchtime meals.
Arriving
at an area, he decided to harvest, he hung both meals on the branch
of the same tree.
Noon
arrived and, he discovered, all the food had been taken. He didn't
get angry.
He
simply said, “Whoever it is, must be awful hungry, to eat all those
meals.”
Then,
the youngster, went back to collecting wood out of the forest.
Out
of the woods, came an elderly character with a lengthy white beard
and, he had the meals.
“I
took them. To reward you for being a good hearted, charitable spirit,
I'll do something for you.
Travel
to Nanakijyai and, I will reward you with any three wishes, you may
have.”
That
sounded good but, the young chap, had no idea, where Nanakijyai might
be.
The
old man told him, it would be a three days and two nights trip,
walking to get there.
He
gave back all the meals, he had appropriated and, told the boy, to
head south.
Each
night, before sunset, he would find a house, where he could spend the
evenings.
The
Journey Began
The
young boy, walked to the south and, at sunset found a home, where he
was welcomed.
A
beauty of a girl cooked him supper.
The
homeowner asked, where the boy's travels would take him.
When
he heard, Nanakijyai, he had a special request and, wanted the boy to
help him.
His
daughter, suddenly lost the ability to speak, a long time ago.
The
man, told him that, the god of Nanakijyai, could remedy her problem.
The
youngster promised, he would use one wish, to thank his gracious
hosts.
The
following night, having hiked south all day, the lad came upon
another home.
He
was given permission, to spend the night and, treated like royalty.
He
thanked the family and, was prepared to continue his travels the next
morning.
The
man of the house, discovered where the youth was headed and, also had
a request.
He
was a well to do person, who had a tree, growing on his property.
It
had failed to produce the colorful flowers, which usually blossomed,
at this time of year.
He
wanted to know, “Could the young man ask, the lord at Nanakijyai,
how to fix that tree?”
The
lad said, he would find out and, report back on his return trip.
Almost
There
He
had promised two of his three wishes as gratitude for others, helping
him travel.
The
unselfish lad, knew Nanakijyai, would be reached before sundown
today.
Rounding
a bend in the trail, he came upon a river. There was no bridge, to
cross it.
The
lad, couldn't swim. He looked up and down the river but, no boats
were to be found.
He
discovered a charming looking lady standing near the water's edge.
She approached him.
When
he told her, his destination was Nanakijyai, she became excited.
She
said, “I'll take you there if, you can make a request, to the god,
for me.”
She
said she was a dragon, who crashed on earth and, couldn't reach the
heavens anymore.
She
took on the human form but, could transform, to fly the boy, the
short distance.
If,
he would ask the god of Nanakijyai, to restore her powers, she'd get
him there.
His
heart sunk. He would have to spend, his last wish, to help this
dragon-lady.
It
was the only way, he could get to Nanakijyai so, he agreed.
The
woman transformed into a monstrous dragon and, flew him on her back,
crossing the river.
Arriving,
he walked a short way and, came upon the old man, who had been
confiscating lunches.
The
god, listened to the boy's three requests and, cracked a smile. He
replied to the lad's favors:
“1.
The girl, who can't speak will regain that ability, after she meets
a man suitable for marriage.
Tell
the guy, whose flowers won't bloom, to dig under the tree. There
are two pots, one containing silver, the other, gold. If he gives,
half of each, to another family, the tree will blossom.
The
dragon, who flew you here, is a greedy witch. She has two precious
gems. If, she gives one, to someone else, she'll be able, to fly
off this planet.
Those
three wishes will be granted. Now git.”
The
young man was saddened. He used all of his wishes, for others and,
gotten nothing in return.
But,
he was glad that, at least he brought happiness to other beings.
Return
Trip
After
recrossing the river, dragon-lady deposited the boy and became the
woman, again.
He
told her, what the god said, she needed to do, concerning the gems.
She
gladly, gave one to the lad and, immediately became a dragon with,
full powers.
After
thanking the boy, she quickly flew off into the clouds, never to
return to this planet.
Next
in the circuit, he would spend the night at the home of the man with
the tree problem.
The
young guy, told the elder, what god had said about the pots, under
the roots of the tree.
It
was dark outside and had begun to rain. The homeowner decided to wait
until morning.
There
was no sense in rushing, to dig in the dark and, catch a cold in the
chilly rain.
At
dawn, they went out to begin digging. The earth had softened from the
rainfall.
They
carefully dug around the base of the tree and, discovered two earthen
urns.
When
the covers were removed, one was full of gold and the other contained
silver.
Half
the contents of each, were given to the boy and, the load would be
heavy.
The
grateful homeowner gladly gave the lad a horse, to take on his voyage
home.
Arriving
at the first home, he had visited days earlier, the family was
anxiously awaiting his return.
The
youth told the father, “When the girl meets her future husband, she
will begin to speak.”
The
lad was invited to dine, celebrate and spend another night but, he
declined.
He
wished to hurry home and share the story of his adventures with his
mother.
They
said goodbyes and the boy mounted the horse, to head on out the gate.
As
he started to leave, the girl shouted, “Don't go. I want to marry
you.”
The
young man, married into the well to do family and, brought his
mother, to live with them.
And,
everybody lived happily.....
Reference:
Folktales
of Okinawa ISBN4-947654-05-8 P. 129
