The little children looked at the gentle bamboo and tied a girdle of flowers around the tree. That was when they named the bamboo as Lady Silver Mist.
Some time later, older humans came to the forest to cut down the trees there. The people looked at the big and strong bamboo and realized that the wood from this would be used to make a mast and they also cut it down.
Boastful Bamboo looked proudly at Lady Silver Mist. “I am going to see the world. When I see the bright and beautiful sea, I will remember and pity you.”
The next day when the little children saw that the other bamboo had been cut down they went to the older people. “Please do not cut down Lady Silver Mist. This has been our playmate for many moons now.”
The older humans were surprised when they heard this. “We have come here to clear this forest. A grand palace is to come up here. But if you care so much, take your bamboo tree with its roots and without destroying it and replant the tree near your homes.”
After seeing the eager children the older people helped them and they carefully replaced the slim bamboo from the forest to a lovely garden beside the sea.
Adapted from Japanese Folktales
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