🧚 Opening, part 8 · page 2

“But there is something else I will do for you, and that is to send you to the Island of Continual Life, where death is unknown.”62

Then Jofuku gave Opulo a small bird made of paper, and told him to sit upon it.63

This the wondering Opulo did, and the bird began to grow.64 Soon it was large enough for him to ride on comfortably.65 With wings outspread it rose high up in the air, and away it flew.66

The flight through the air was swift; on and on they went for hundreds and hundreds of miles without a stop, until at last they came to an island, and there the bird alighted.67

Opulo stepped to the ground and the bird grew smaller and smaller.68 At last it became the same size as when Jofuku gave it to him, so he folded it up and put it in his pocket.69

He walked on until he came to a town, where he found a place to lodge.70 Everything, of course, was strange to him; the streets and buildings were different from what he had been used to, and all the people looked prosperous.71

Opulo told the owner of the house in which he obtained lodgings that he intended to live there permanently, so the worthy man kindly promised to help him all he could.72 He found a suitable house for him, and servants to attend to his comfort, so Opulo took up his residence in the land of Continual Life.73

It was a strange country indeed in which he now lived.74 No one ever died there, nor even became sick, so doctors were unknown.75 But the people were not happy and contented; they had heard of a place called Paradise, but it was only a legend to them.76 They knew that one could not reach this wonderful land without dying, and death was something they longed for, but which never came to them.77

Ordinary people have a dread of death, but these were very different, for they looked upon it as something very much to be desired.78 How they wished it could come to them, so that they could enter the happy land of Paradise!79

To Opulo everything seemed to be upside down.80 He had come here hoping to live forever, and found the inhabitants wishing more than anything else that they could die.81 They had tried everything they could think of to bring this about, but without success.82 No one could even make himself ill, try as hard as he might; he couldn’t even raise a corn on his toe.83

But Opulo was happy, for he had found what he sought.84 He assured himself that he would never tire of living, and was the only contented man on the island.85

He changed from his former mode of living, and instead of doing nothing, he set himself up in business.86 And now that he had something to do, time passed very quickly.87

Strange to say, after having lived there for two hundred years life began to be somewhat dull and monotonous.88 He wanted a change, for it was the same thing day after day, and year after year.89 He began to think that perhaps the other people were not so foolish when they wanted to die!90

It would be fine if he could see his own country again; things would never be any different where he was now, and how wearisome it was getting to be!91

Now he wanted to die, but couldn’t, and it was no use trying to.92

One day he happened to think that his prayers to Jofuku had resulted in bringing him to this country.93 He would pray to Jofuku to take him away from it.94 Why did he not think of this before?95

So he prayed, and to his surprise the paper bird came into his hand.96 It grew and grew as it had done before in the temple of Jofuku, and soon it was large enough for him to mount.97 It spread its wings, and they went flying through the air.98

On and on they flew, stopping neither for rest nor food, and at length they reached the Japan Sea.99 Then he suddenly thought of the valuable business he had left behind.100 Why hadn’t he sold it, and taken the proceeds with him?101

As soon as this thought came to him a storm came on.102 It rained hard, and of course the paper bird became wet, and being paper, it crumpled up and fell into the sea.103

Now he was in danger of being drowned, and he was afraid.104 Not long ago he would have welcomed death.105 He called aloud to Jofuku to save him, but there was no reply.106

He swam and swam, doing his best to keep from sinking.107 Then right in front of him he saw a huge fish, its mouth wide open, ready to devour him.108

In his fright he screamed so loudly for Jofuku to save him that he awakened himself.109 For, behold, he had fallen asleep during his long prayers before the shrine, and all of this had come to him in a dream.110

Then he heard a voice, and before him stood a messenger, who said:111

“As you have prayed, so has Jofuku permitted you in a dream to see the land of Continual Life.112 You were not contented there and wished to return to your own country that you might die.113 And even your desire for death was not real, for when the fish was there to swallow you, you called on Jofuku to save you.114 There is only one thing for you to do; return to your home and live an industrious life, be helpful to yourself and to others, and thus will you be happy and live to a good old age.115 And be sure that any selfish desire you may have, even if it be granted, will never bring you happiness.”116

THE CRANE AND THE CRAB117

There was a small lake in Malwa called Lily-Water, and on its bank one day stood a Crane who seemed to be lost in thought.118

It was the dry season and the water was low in the pond, in which were a good many fish.119 Now the Crane was very fond of fish, and he was trying to figure out a plan whereby he could satisfy his appetite.120

At last he went to the water’s edge, and there he sat down.121 He assumed a most dejected look, and appeared to be so miserable that a Crab, who had been watching him, asked him why he was so down-hearted.122

“It is because I am thinking of all who live in this pond that I am so sad,” said the Crane.123

“Why should that be the reason?” asked the Crab.124

“I will tell you,” said the Crane.125 “This morning I heard the fishermen who live near here say that they meant to catch every fish that swims in this water.126 Now I love a dish of fish myself, and the few that I should take would make but little difference among so many.127 And although if the fish in this pond are all captured there would be none left for me to subsist upon, it breaks my heart to think of the fate that is in store for them.128 Therefore am I so sad.”129