The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-10-13
TWO JAP KOZOS.

The Buddhist priest in Japan often takes
the place OF the droll Irishman with US and
is made the butt OF many witticisms and
practical jokes. Wherever one travels in
Japan he hears any number OF srcl tales
from the less religious among the people.
The priests do not generally live together
IN monasteres, like the monks Of the mid
de ages, but they live with their families
in the temples or else alone with a servant
or pupil usually known by tie name Of
Kozo.
An old priest who was called (behind his
back, Of course) Yokubukai Bozu, or the
Greedy Priest" on account of his we'll
known taste for the good things Of this
world, lived alone with a small boy who
waited on him, expecting incidentally to
learn something Of priestcraft himself, and
become priest, too, some day. But this
particular kozo was far from having priestly
qualifications, as this tale will show. Like
all boys, kozo had failing for sweets, but
as his master was similarly disposed, the
boy had very little chance Of INDUCING has
tastes in this direction.
One day, however, as luck would have it,
a boxful Of very delicious cakes was sent
to the old priest during his absence by the
inmates OF neighborlng temple. As it was
a Buddhist festival, great deal Of pains
had been expended to make the cakes as at
tractlve as possible, and as kozo raised the
box-lld and looked at the tempting dainty
with its inviting covering Of powdered sugar,
he felt the temptation was too strong for
him, and as no one was near to prevent Tim.
he ate all without stopping to think Of the
consequences. After the deed was done.
however, he began to anticipate the dis
plasure OF his master, to whom cake was so
dear. kozo, therefore (sly fellow took the
empty box to the shrine Of Buddha and lay
ing 1t respectfully before him, took a little
Of the sugar that was left in the bottom OF
the box and smeared it over the idols
mouth, retiring with pleased expression.
Soon afterwards the Yokubukai Bozu re-
turned, and after kozo had helped him off
vita his clogs and had fetched him his pipe
and cup Of tea he inquired whether any
one had calledg
'No-o-oh, yes, sir, said Kozo, "thepriests
OF the peignDoring temple have sent your
honor some cakes in honor OF the day
"Ah," said the priest, with interest, land
where is the cake?"
Il put it before tae shrine of Buddha,
sir, and the priest trotted of, thinking Of
the treat in store for him.
What was his surprise, however, to find
the box empty and the divinity's mouth all
smeared over with sugar.
"Kozo" he shouted, and from the depths
of his own room came family the reply:
Yes, sir"
What did you do with this cake?" de-
manded the prelate sternly when the boy
presented himself with an air Of perfect
innocence.
Il laid the box in front of my lord
Buddhas shrine, sir, as it is our custom al
ways to do first"
We'll, it is not here now" replied the
priest.
-Oh, yes, sir, it must be there and, lift
ing the box-lid, kozo started back with an
exclamation, and, looking up to the image,
| cried, with awe-struck eyes: He has eaten
/ it, sir! His mouths all sugaryl"
You've eaten it, you little rascal" said
/ the priest, in a rage.
~ No, sir. l never ate it"
You did" said the priest, angrily, and,
raising his hand to strike his pupil, he acct
/ dentally struck the arm of the bronze
/ image, which rang out: ''Kwan" (word for
mot eaten").
"There!" exclaimed the priest, 81 knew
you were telling lies! He says he has not
/ eaten the cake"
But he forgets, sir He is mistaken,
| The sugar on his mouth shows his false
hood"
What, Buddha tell liesl Wen cure him
! of it if lie does Wen see!n and tae priest
/ STROBE out into the temple garden, where
stood a great iron pot used for heating large
quantities OF water, and, building a tire TN
| der it, soon had the water in it boiling. Into
this he popped poor Buddha, VINO instantly
began 70 boil, making a sound like "Kuta-
kuta' (word for have eateu").
''Therei" cried the boy, triumphantly,
The coniesses under torture! He says he
has eaten the cake
This priest seems to have been unfortu-
nate in his pupils, for, dischargirg the for
mer kozo as too clever for an old man like
himself, he obtained likely lad, but WHO,
alas, was a victim to the same love OF
sweets as his predecessor. Finding that his
master was not disposed to give ann any Of
the coveted sweets, be set his brains to
work 60 get some by fair means or foul.
One day a kind neighbor sent in some
choice cakes, which the old priest, profiting
by former experience, Immediately took
charge Of and put in locked closet. Il
lock these cakes up, !" he explained to his OBJ
servant young neopbyte, that you may not
get them by mistake, for they are poison
and it would kill you to eat them"
Taat night, though, when the priest was
asleep, kozo found the key and placed it
where he could easily find it in the morning.
The priest went out early next day and
! kozo ran ioyfully to the closet wh;cl he I'M
locked and ate up tie cakes with great rel
ish. Then be took a fine cup. Of which the
priest was very fond, and broke it on the
doorstep. When the priest returned he
found the boy weeping bitterly over the
fragments.
WHAT has happened, Kozo." asked the
astonisaed priest
"Oh, sir, replied the boy through his
sobs, Il broke your treasured cup, and
and did not want to live any longer-so--
so | remembered the poisonous cakes you
told me about yesterday, and SO / ate them
-but-boo-hoo-here I'm alive yet!"-Lip-
pincott's Magazine, June, 1902.
uF.o