The Irish standard., 1905-02-04
- Princess "
Fiaki's Birthday
A TALE OF OLD DAYS
IN JAPAN.

T WAS winter and very cold, and
! the panels of costly wood. carved
with art and wealth of detail, had
been carefully closed around the
prince, making the room in which he
sat very small.
Many beautiful robes linei with
warm wool and covered with priceless
silk lay crossed in contrasting colors
on the daimio's breast, and on one
wide sleeve of the outermost garment
was embroidered star formed by five
balls encircling a sixth. This was the
crest of the illustrious Kauga family,
which knows no equal throughout all
Japan or among the islands Of Shen-
dai and Satsuma.
The prince, in spite of his vassals,
his lands and his money, felt never
theless that he was very poor and mis-
cradle. And the reason was that for
several days he had tried to think of
something for the anniversary of his
daugter's birthday and he could think
of nothing.
1t was unfortunately true that the
attain the dignity of 16, already pos
sessed everything that it was possible
for a young lady to possess, but this
was no consolation to the Gaimio.
What was the use of being prince, of
having such wealth, if he could not
offer her something new and pleasing2
Presently lie arose.
will on n
haps, unconsciously she will tell me
what she would like" he said to him
SELF
He struck bronze gong and imme-
diately the carved panels rolled open,
disclosing endless halls filed with
samurais of noble birth, pages, guards
and menials. The samurals who wore
the two swords bowed deep while all
the others Frustrated themselves on
the ground.
II will visit my daughter" said the
daimio.
Fiaki, or Ray Of Sunshine, sat on a
pile of cushions in the hall OF her own
particular palace. The folds or her
magnificent robes were arranged SYM
and shapes, but most abundant was
the wonderful kimona OF blue satin
everywhere embroidered with spider
webs in which were caught the many
colored petals of summer flowers.
The young girls face was white as
snow, her crimson lips opened slightly
to disclose two rows of pearly teeth,
and the eyebrows, following the man.
ner of princesses. were closely shaven
and replaced by two little black
patches painted very high on the fore
head.
AS the prince entered, Fiaki hid her
face for an instant in the long sleeves
Of her robe. thus greeting her father
with tender and modest salute. The
diamio smiled with pleasure at the
grace and beauty of the child whom he
adored. He overwhelmed Ler with
caressing names, asking her if she was
happy and II there was nothing she
desired.
"Ah! illustrious prince and father"
cried Fiaki, clasping her hands sor-
rowfully, "how can l be happy while
the earth suffers? How can smile
when the skies weep? All. the gods
are cruel to have created the winter
season! l feel like poor little exiled
Plant, barely alive, and yet unable to
die!"
at is certain there is nothing she
desires SO much as springtime,"
thought the prince to himself, once
more back in his little room.
He scowled fiercely at the gray
clouds outside. Suddenly he COM
manded the presence of his chief min
lister. Nai-da-tsin FASTENED to learn
the wishes Of his illustrious lord, but
the minister's heart sank at the sight
Of the princes solnber face.
Tomorrow is my daughters birth
day." he began, coldly. Il desire. do
you understand, desire that by day
break tomorrow the trees and bushes
of the park and the entire country
surrounding the palace shall be COW
cred with flowers, as in the first
months of the springtime. You may
60"
"Your will shall be obeyed in all
things" murmured the minister, bow
ing himself out backward.
Once outside, he clutched his hands
in the protecting sleeves of his gar
ment.
1T is exile, it is DEATH" he thought,
bitterly. What can | have done that
should disgrace me?"
He examined his conscience Sc
verely.
Nothing" he said at last. 1.-THE
prince really desires that the spring
should come to his daughter. Well
will not trouble about death. But is
there no other way?"
A sudden inspiration came to him.
and he ran swiftly to his own palace
noting. with terror, that the short
winter day was nearly ended. Gather
ing his colleagues around him. he told
them of the extraordinary demand Of
the prince.
"There is only one thing to bt
done." he went on, noting the fright
ened faces about him. Listen! W.
may yet be sayed.
Everyone within three leagues
around. men, women, girls an6 boys
mobiles. merchants and peasants. mus
set instantly to work with silk, velvet
satin and paper, and make scores o
flowers. Let them cut up their clothes
their hangings; let them make use o
their fans cushiOns. everything the