The Bemidji pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Beltrami County, Minn.) 1896-1917, 1900-08-23
Japanese Legend.

once upon time iIneFe was A>iuS
n Dragonland who had a beaut1ful
wife. and this beautiful wife fell i'll.
All the eminent doctors in the king king
dom were called in turn to the palace,
but not one of them could think OF
anything to make the Queen well ana r'
strong. 81
/ But one night she had a dream, and
when she awoke she sent for the King Kin
and said: 5s
\ a'The remedy that will restore me to
health has been revealed to me, and
it is this: i must have the liver Of a
young monkey to eat. /"
But, my dear" said the King, there
is not a monkey on this side Of the
world, and how are we to send away
across the water to the other side and
bring one here? am sure L don't ION
know"
But the Queen walled and cried until
big round fish with a great pony
back heard her, and was so moved
with pity that he got out of the water,
and Topped all the way to the palace
to have an audience with the King.
This ended in the Kings starting the
big fish to swim across the ocean 20
Monkeyland, where he arrived in due
course Of time. On the strand he met
the object Of his search.
Good morning, Mr.. Monkey, SAID
the fish politely.
GOOD morning, Mr. Fish" answered
the monkey, making profound bow.
.sIs there anything l can do for your,
well, yes said the fish, there is
great favor that you can do me. MY
mistress. the Queen Of Dragonland.
has dreamed that she cannot live un-
less one of your tribe is willing to
cross the sea and pay her tribute. But
you won't regret the trip; 1t is a
beautiful country, full of palms and
cocoanut trees and oranges and flgs.
why, a monkey would not have to
climb for fruit; 1t would just fall down
upon him in showers as thick as plum
blossom petals!
st#$" And how is one to get to this beau
tifuI land?''' said the monkey,
why" said the fish, "all you would
have to do would be to sit astride my
back and would take you there in
jiffy."
So the monkey agreed, and off they
went
There was silence for while and
then the monkey spoke again:
TIT SGT hn ts1n lyy1nyU
/ have left my liver hanging to the
/. top Of a tree. You chould have told
me at first what the Queen wanted
with me. Livers are rather disagree
able things to always carry around
with body, and generally take mine
out and leave it airing when ! am
going away to dinner, was just on
nv way to dine with friend when
YOU invited me to go with you to the
Dragon Kingdom. Now, my dear fell
low, there is nothing to be done but
for you and me to go back and get
that liver, for would not disappoint
her majesty for anything in the
world.
So the big fish. with sigh, turned
back, and when they reached Monkey
land the monkey sprang ashore and
climbed tree. Then he called down
to the fish:
..My friend, while we were taking
our little sail some one made off with
nv liver, and since that is what the
Queen wanted me for there is really
no use in my going. Good-by; some
other time, Mr.. Fish"
And so the big fish made his way
sorrowfully home to the Dragon King
dom. and to the palace of the King,
and when the King heard his story he
was so angry that he called to SER
want and said:
Take this idiot out to the water
side, and when you have reached the
sand put him down ad beat him with
all your might and main"
And as the King commanded so
they did, and they beat, and beat, and
beat the big fish until every bone In
his body was broken, and then they
threw him into the sea, where he has
been a jellyfsh ever since.