I hung in a fine shop in Kioto, one of many metal mirrors that glittered in the sunshine. An aging and handsome man came along. “Oh, the pretty silver moons!” he said. Tentatively, he reached for me. He looked into my face and turned as white as rice. He sat on a seat...
I was riding through the forest one day when I heard strange birds singing. I had never heard such tiny, sweet songs. Who could possibly be making that shower of sound? I came close to the place, tied my horse to a tree, and followed the sound to a girl who was...
I have learned that no matter what world you find yourself in, whether you are on earth or in the underworld, you must be kind. Not for your own sake, but for the sake of other creatures. Oh, do not think for a moment that one creature is lower than another. A cat is...
My child, my wonderful child! How could have he have come from me? He was not like the other children. He grew quickly into a tall, strong boy who spoke like a grown man. He did not speak often. One day I asked him, “My child, by what name shall we know...
You won’t believe me when I tell you this, but here’s how I got free of them robbers. Two men came to the door lookin’ for food, an’ I said, I says: “You can’t come in here, there’s robbers living here and they’ll be...
After a desperate search for work, my maid and I were given positions as scullery maids. We worked in the kitchen of a castle where a wedding was taking place. The bride took her meals in her room, and I brought them to her, so I knew what she looked like. The poor...
I glanced up from my spinning and I saw the prince sitting on his horse, looking at me through the window. The setting sun blazed on his face, and when he turned away, I was glowing. The room had become so warm! I went to the window and opened it. I watched him ride...
One evening, there was a knock on my door, and two tall, astonishingly handsome strangers stood before me. They asked for a night’s lodging. How could I refuse them? Before we sat down to eat our meal, there was another knock on the door. This time, it was a...
I was making my way toward the city when I met an old woman on the road. She noticed that I was badly wounded and asked me where I was going. “I really don’t know myself,” I said. I had heard about the kings’ twelve daughters, and how they had been wearing out their...
The king’s youngest daughter is our princess, and we serve her. When she comes into the forest and summons us: “Earthworkers, come out!” we appear from under every root and stone. When she asks for help, we ask no questions. If she wants the forest...
