Photo courtesy of blog.travelpanda.com
The Cherry Blossoms
A long long time ago in Japan, there were no supermarkets, and you had to grow your own food. The thing is, whenever farmers tried to plant their food, it died, because they did not know when to plant it and the weather attacked it. The farmers waited year after year for a good growing season but still, their crops died. Soon, all of Japan was very hungry, for they had no food to eat.
“Oh, what are we going to do?” A farmer named Yamato said to his wife. “Everyone will blame us for not giving them enough food.” He cried.
“Why aren't the crops growing anyways?” His wife Sakura asked him.
“We do not know when to plant the crops, and they die every time we plant them.” Yamato replied to Sakura.
“Otosan (Father), I am hungry, and we do not have any food left.” Yamato’s daughter whined.
“I am sorry musume (daughter), but we are all hungry, I am trying my hardest but all of my rice is dying.” Yamato told his daughter. Many people were dying of famine, and Japan’s population was slowly decreasing. But the gods saw this and did not want Japan to disappear. They decided to help the farmers. They sent some fairies down to the earth to help them.
“Great fairies, I need you to go to earth to help the farmers there.” The great god of Japan, Amaterasu, bellowed.
“How do we do that?” The fairies asked.
“You will think of something.” The god answered. Pretty soon, a flock of fairies fluttered down to earth.
“How are we going to help the farmers?” One fairy asked another.
“Maybe we can give them a gift to tell them when to plant their crops!” The fairy said.
“Like what kind of gift?’ The first fairy asked.
“I know the perfect idea!” The other fairy exclaimed.
“Yes, I have the same idea! Lets get started!” The first fairy said. And with that, the fairies were fluttering away to get the gift.
But back at the farmers house, things were getting worse and more people were in need of food.
“Sakura, this is a huge problem, we have been waiting for so long, and I can not think of a solution.” Yamato cried.
“Why don't you just get rid of the soil, and replace it.” Sakura offered.
“I’ve already tried that twice, and so have all the other farmers,” Yamato said.
“Why don’t you try it just once more, I mean lucky number three right?” Sakura said worriedly.
“ Okay I guess it is worth another try.” The farmer said doubtfully, “But I don't think it is going to work.” He started to walk towards his farm, but when he got there, he was shocked. There was a big flock of fairies next to a row of trees (that the farmer did not put there himself).
“We know that your crops are dying, so we wanted to give you a gift to help you know when to plant your rice.” One of the fairies said.
“Yes, we have brought you these trees so you know exactly what time to plant your food.” Another fairy told Yamato.
In shock, Yamato said, “How will a couple of trees help me with my crops?”
“When these trees have flowers on them, then you know that you need to plant your rice .” A third fairy tells Yamato.
“Really? That would be so convenient! Arigato(Thank you). I bet that this will help Japan very much.”
“Yes, we will be glad to see Japan getting into good shape again.” The fairies said.
“I will name these trees ‘Sakura’ after my wife, who pushed me to work hard.” Yamato said in conclusion.
So later in the year, the trees finally had flowers and Yamato told all the farmers to plant their rice, and finally it flourished. In about a year from that, Japan was not in need for food anymore, and everything was great.
Moral- When you need help, just wait and it will come.
“Oh, what are we going to do?” A farmer named Yamato said to his wife. “Everyone will blame us for not giving them enough food.” He cried.
“Why aren't the crops growing anyways?” His wife Sakura asked him.
“We do not know when to plant the crops, and they die every time we plant them.” Yamato replied to Sakura.
“Otosan (Father), I am hungry, and we do not have any food left.” Yamato’s daughter whined.
“I am sorry musume (daughter), but we are all hungry, I am trying my hardest but all of my rice is dying.” Yamato told his daughter. Many people were dying of famine, and Japan’s population was slowly decreasing. But the gods saw this and did not want Japan to disappear. They decided to help the farmers. They sent some fairies down to the earth to help them.
“Great fairies, I need you to go to earth to help the farmers there.” The great god of Japan, Amaterasu, bellowed.
“How do we do that?” The fairies asked.
“You will think of something.” The god answered. Pretty soon, a flock of fairies fluttered down to earth.
“How are we going to help the farmers?” One fairy asked another.
“Maybe we can give them a gift to tell them when to plant their crops!” The fairy said.
“Like what kind of gift?’ The first fairy asked.
“I know the perfect idea!” The other fairy exclaimed.
“Yes, I have the same idea! Lets get started!” The first fairy said. And with that, the fairies were fluttering away to get the gift.
But back at the farmers house, things were getting worse and more people were in need of food.
“Sakura, this is a huge problem, we have been waiting for so long, and I can not think of a solution.” Yamato cried.
“Why don't you just get rid of the soil, and replace it.” Sakura offered.
“I’ve already tried that twice, and so have all the other farmers,” Yamato said.
“Why don’t you try it just once more, I mean lucky number three right?” Sakura said worriedly.
“ Okay I guess it is worth another try.” The farmer said doubtfully, “But I don't think it is going to work.” He started to walk towards his farm, but when he got there, he was shocked. There was a big flock of fairies next to a row of trees (that the farmer did not put there himself).
“We know that your crops are dying, so we wanted to give you a gift to help you know when to plant your rice.” One of the fairies said.
“Yes, we have brought you these trees so you know exactly what time to plant your food.” Another fairy told Yamato.
In shock, Yamato said, “How will a couple of trees help me with my crops?”
“When these trees have flowers on them, then you know that you need to plant your rice .” A third fairy tells Yamato.
“Really? That would be so convenient! Arigato(Thank you). I bet that this will help Japan very much.”
“Yes, we will be glad to see Japan getting into good shape again.” The fairies said.
“I will name these trees ‘Sakura’ after my wife, who pushed me to work hard.” Yamato said in conclusion.
So later in the year, the trees finally had flowers and Yamato told all the farmers to plant their rice, and finally it flourished. In about a year from that, Japan was not in need for food anymore, and everything was great.
Moral- When you need help, just wait and it will come.
The First Samurai
Once upon a time there was a man named Bushido. Bushido lived in a rural area on the island Honshu in Japan. Bushido was coming home from the factory where he worked when he found a basket of fruit and rice cakes which was a traditional Japanese gift. He slipped off his shoes before entering and carried the basket into his home. Bushido changed into a comfortable robe and found a letter in the basket. He started to read the letter and found it held terrible news. Bushido’s grandfather was dying. Bushido rushed to the door and ran to his grandparent’s house.
He gave his grandmother a traditional bow and went inside. Behind the fusuma (paper sliding door) was Bushido’s old grandfather Takimoto. “Bushido…” croaked the old man. “What is it?” Bushido replied. “The only thing that can heal me are the scales from the dragon on Mount Fuji”. Bushido was shocked. It was the middle of Winter! But he was willing to do anything to save his grandfather. Bushido wrapped himself in warm clothes and traveled to the mountain.
Bushido started his ascent up the mountain in search of the dragon. Just as Amaterasu, the sun goddess, decided it was day time, Bushido had made it halfway up the mountain. The sun rose up and the barrage of snowflakes had stopped pounding on Bushido’s face. Bushido found a dark cave and was dubious about going inside. Just as Bushido took a step into the cave, a burst of flames shot out and almost fried half of his face. He fell and hit his head on a rock and blacked out. When Bushido woke up, he was lying on a bed and was surrounded in a warm blanket. An old monk came in from outside with a large gilded sword. “If you ever want to get off this mountain, you must use this sword”
Bushido gratefully took the sword and when he held the sword it felt like it was part of his soul. The monk offered Bushido a horse and he was off. Bushido arrived at the cave and called out to the beast. “You really think you can defeat me?!?” said a deep voice from inside the cave. Again a fiery cannon shot out. Bushido easily evaded the flames and charged in a full gallop towards the dragon. Just as he was about to crash into it, he lept from the horse and thrust the sword into the dragon with precise accuracy. The dragon swiftly fell to the cold ground with a large thud. Bushido collected the scales and set off to his grandfather’s house. His grandfather recovered and had lived on for many more years. Inspired by the monk’s generosity, Bushido went on to start the most amazing army ever. He felt it was his duty to serve the people of Japan. Bushido’s name became known as the way of the warrior. He was the first of the sword wielding men on horseback, know as… the Samurai.
He gave his grandmother a traditional bow and went inside. Behind the fusuma (paper sliding door) was Bushido’s old grandfather Takimoto. “Bushido…” croaked the old man. “What is it?” Bushido replied. “The only thing that can heal me are the scales from the dragon on Mount Fuji”. Bushido was shocked. It was the middle of Winter! But he was willing to do anything to save his grandfather. Bushido wrapped himself in warm clothes and traveled to the mountain.
Bushido started his ascent up the mountain in search of the dragon. Just as Amaterasu, the sun goddess, decided it was day time, Bushido had made it halfway up the mountain. The sun rose up and the barrage of snowflakes had stopped pounding on Bushido’s face. Bushido found a dark cave and was dubious about going inside. Just as Bushido took a step into the cave, a burst of flames shot out and almost fried half of his face. He fell and hit his head on a rock and blacked out. When Bushido woke up, he was lying on a bed and was surrounded in a warm blanket. An old monk came in from outside with a large gilded sword. “If you ever want to get off this mountain, you must use this sword”
Bushido gratefully took the sword and when he held the sword it felt like it was part of his soul. The monk offered Bushido a horse and he was off. Bushido arrived at the cave and called out to the beast. “You really think you can defeat me?!?” said a deep voice from inside the cave. Again a fiery cannon shot out. Bushido easily evaded the flames and charged in a full gallop towards the dragon. Just as he was about to crash into it, he lept from the horse and thrust the sword into the dragon with precise accuracy. The dragon swiftly fell to the cold ground with a large thud. Bushido collected the scales and set off to his grandfather’s house. His grandfather recovered and had lived on for many more years. Inspired by the monk’s generosity, Bushido went on to start the most amazing army ever. He felt it was his duty to serve the people of Japan. Bushido’s name became known as the way of the warrior. He was the first of the sword wielding men on horseback, know as… the Samurai.
The Greatest Beauty of All
Chibu-mura was a small yet bustling village in the beautiful country of Japan. It was also the home of Kokoa. Kokoa was often called “the prettiest woman to walk on the planet”. She was as delicate as a Japanese cherry blossom and her heart was filled with gratitude for others. She was so selfless that she would spend all of her days solving the villagers problems. Akemi was a troubled senior who was in some financial trouble. Kokoa decided to help Akemi because she sympathized how Akemi had to take care of a selfish daughter and struggle with money. One day, Kokoa walked over to Akemi with a pouch full of copper coins. She had got the money by selling her finest kimono. Akemi was sad to see it go but she knew it was definitely worth it.
“Oh Kokoa, you are so beautiful and kind!” Akemi exclaimed. Kokoa clasped her hands around the elderly woman and smiled. “You do not know how much that means to me Akemi-san,” she said. “Here darling, take this dish as a token of appreciation for all you have done for me. You have helped me so much financially! know that this is not much but it is all that I have.” Akemi apologetically said as she handed Koko a plate full of sushi. “Any gift from you is priceless, Akemi-san. I must be on my way now. If you or your daughter Akumu need anymore help then please talk to me,” Kokoa said as she bowed to Akemi.
Akumu glared from the patio of her small shack-like house as Kokoa gracefully walked away. She was quite jealous of how beautiful Kokoa was. Everybody loved Kokoa but nobody seemed to like her. Even her own mother preferred Kokoa over her! Out of spite and jealousy, Akumu plotted a way to gain attention from others. Akumu suddenly got an idea. She would copy how Kokoa looked! That morning Akumu pinned her hair up with a decorated kanzashi and slipped into a delicate kimono. Satisfied, she smiled smugly. She looked even better than Kokoa. She pondered over the best way to gain attention and finally decided to walk through the bustling streets of Japan until someone complimented her.
After walking for a little over a hour, Akumu still had not received any compliments. Desperate, she stalked over to a young Japanese boy and shrieked “Don’t I look beautiful?” The boy merely laughed and walked away. Akumu couldn’t take it anymore. She angrily trailed the boy and cried, “Why did you laugh! Even a fool can tell that I am beautiful. I am even more pretty than Kokoa!” The young man sighed and said, “Although you and Kokoa are probably equally good looking, Kokoa is humble and kind while you are arrogant and selfish. Kokoa helps the unfortunate while you merely stare disgustedly at them. In fact, even if Kokoa was not attractive, we would all still consider her the most beautiful woman to ever walk on this planet. The simple truth is that being humble and kind makes you the most beautiful of all!” Akumu stalked away in anger, with tears filling her eyes. After walking for miles, she seeked shade under a beautiful Japanese maple tree. She closed her eyes and thought over what happened. Akumu soon realized that the young man was right. From that day on, Akumu was never selfish. She worked tirelessly to help others in need. In fact, she even became good friends with Kokoa. She had learned that being selfless and kind itself is the greatest beauty of all.
“Oh Kokoa, you are so beautiful and kind!” Akemi exclaimed. Kokoa clasped her hands around the elderly woman and smiled. “You do not know how much that means to me Akemi-san,” she said. “Here darling, take this dish as a token of appreciation for all you have done for me. You have helped me so much financially! know that this is not much but it is all that I have.” Akemi apologetically said as she handed Koko a plate full of sushi. “Any gift from you is priceless, Akemi-san. I must be on my way now. If you or your daughter Akumu need anymore help then please talk to me,” Kokoa said as she bowed to Akemi.
Akumu glared from the patio of her small shack-like house as Kokoa gracefully walked away. She was quite jealous of how beautiful Kokoa was. Everybody loved Kokoa but nobody seemed to like her. Even her own mother preferred Kokoa over her! Out of spite and jealousy, Akumu plotted a way to gain attention from others. Akumu suddenly got an idea. She would copy how Kokoa looked! That morning Akumu pinned her hair up with a decorated kanzashi and slipped into a delicate kimono. Satisfied, she smiled smugly. She looked even better than Kokoa. She pondered over the best way to gain attention and finally decided to walk through the bustling streets of Japan until someone complimented her.
After walking for a little over a hour, Akumu still had not received any compliments. Desperate, she stalked over to a young Japanese boy and shrieked “Don’t I look beautiful?” The boy merely laughed and walked away. Akumu couldn’t take it anymore. She angrily trailed the boy and cried, “Why did you laugh! Even a fool can tell that I am beautiful. I am even more pretty than Kokoa!” The young man sighed and said, “Although you and Kokoa are probably equally good looking, Kokoa is humble and kind while you are arrogant and selfish. Kokoa helps the unfortunate while you merely stare disgustedly at them. In fact, even if Kokoa was not attractive, we would all still consider her the most beautiful woman to ever walk on this planet. The simple truth is that being humble and kind makes you the most beautiful of all!” Akumu stalked away in anger, with tears filling her eyes. After walking for miles, she seeked shade under a beautiful Japanese maple tree. She closed her eyes and thought over what happened. Akumu soon realized that the young man was right. From that day on, Akumu was never selfish. She worked tirelessly to help others in need. In fact, she even became good friends with Kokoa. She had learned that being selfless and kind itself is the greatest beauty of all.