At Chohachi’s place, O Tsuis San recovered from her fatigue and Shindo’s wound also healed.
Then Chahachi told Shindo something important. “You are always welcome at my home, but my rice pot is enough to feed four people.” Chohachi studied Shindo. “Do you have any skills that can make the pot boil?”
Shindo sadly shook his head. “I have no skills.”
Chohachi was worried. “Can you teach men to fence?”
Shindo shook his head. “I have no skill as a swordsman.”
“Can you teach writing?”
Shindo shook his head again.
Chohachi wondered what task he could give the man before him that would earn money. The task had to be easy and something that the man could do easily.
Finally, Chohachi figured it out. He wanted Shindo to be a Waste-Paper man. It was such an easy job that even a simpleton could do it.
Chohachi called Shindo as Chobei because Shindo did not seem the right name for a waste-paper man. After that, Chohachi purchased a pole of bamboo with baskets at both ends and gave it to Chobei.
Chobei went the next day to start his work.
However, the first day, Chobei lost his way. It was so bad that Chobei had to pay a man to guide him to the tradesman’s home.
He brought no waste-paper and Chohachi scolded him. “You have to call out. If you walk silently, how will anyone know what you want?”
Chobei anxiously listened to the words of the tradesman because he did not want to depend on the trader all the time. Moreso Chobei was worried because O Tsuiu San was at home trying her hand at embroidery to earn some coins.
Adapted from Japanese Folktales
No comments:
Post a Comment