The Elbert County tribune., 1905-01-05


"Mother Goose is centuries older
than our own. and some of the simple
1ingles composing the collection were
probably recited by Japanese mothers
to their offspring long before Columbus
discovered America, says an exchange.
One Of the heroes of the Japanese
Mother Goose" is the man who rides
on frog. Ever so long ago he was
robber. having been born poor, but
gifted with remarkable dexterity as a
swordsman. One day he attacked
beautiful lady. who suddenly turned
into an elderly gentlemen with
benevolent countenance. Breaking
the robbers sword into half dozen
twig. the old man announced that he
was the Ancient of all Frogs. and
counseled the youth TO refrain in
future from stealing from the poor.
and to confine his attentions exclusive
ly to the wealthy. At the same time
he placed himself at the services of
the young man. who. mounted on the
frogs back, was able TO leap across
rivers and to travel Mt great speed
on land, these superior facilities of
transportation making 1t practicable
for him to rob usurers and other
avaricious persons of their treasures.
to the joy of the INDECENT, who were
protected. Eventually, as a reward for
his virtues, the hero was made
Daimio, and lived to enjoy a peace
full old age.
Not less interesting Is nursery
Jingle that tells the story of the Jelly
Fish, who was fayorite courtier in
the palace of the Queen of the Realm
Under the Sea. He was particularly
vain of his beautiful shell. which was
the envy of all rivals. But one Cay he
was so foolish as to betray the con-
fidence OF his royal mistress. and, be-
ing deprived of his shell as pun
ishment, he was expelled in disgrace.
Since then his descendants have pos
sessed no shell. and have been the
very typeof helplessness. being defense
less against attack and compelled to
20 whithersoever the wind and wave
may drive them.
1t was to the palace of the Queen
of the Realm Under the Sea that
Taro, another hero of Japanese nursery
rhyme, journeyed. He was a poor
fisherman, who. while out in his boat
was attacked by huge cuttlefsh. He
prayed for help TO the ocean goddess,
and she approached, riding on the
back of gigantic sea-turtle. The
cuttlefish fled, and Taro, being invited
so to do. mounted upon the back of
the turtle and was conveyed to the
bottom of the sea. There he beheld
magnificent edifice built of mosher
of-pearl, and for seven days there was
nothing but feasting. music. and dane
ing, with multitudes of beautiful
women. and unlimited quantities of
flowers and precious stones to delight
the eye. Then Taro bethought him of
his parents, and asked permission to
return. 1t was granted. and he made
the journey as he had come. on the
back of the turtle, TO the place where
the cuttlefish had assailed him. He
sought his hut. but could not find it.
Nobody knew him. and he recognized
none of the people. Finally, a very
old fisherman told him that persons
of his name had lived there four cen
turtles previously. Their tombstones,
overgrown with moss and lichens,
were shown to him. and as he gaZed
upon them, his teeth fell out and his
limbs became stiff. All Mt once the
weight of 400 years came upon him.
and he died.
The Bug-a-boo Man of Japanese
children is a historical character. His
name is Akochi, and he was very
naughty and powerful noble. 1t SO
happened that one day when he was
entertaining the Emperor Nobunaga at
his castle. Nobunaga being somewhat
in his cups. playfully grabbed the
head of his host and used it as drum.
beating upon 1t with his fan. Eli
quette forbade Akochi to resent the
indignity at the moment. but he nursed
his anger and bided his time for
revenge. One night. with n party of
swordsmen. he surprised Nobunaga in
his palace and cut of his head. In
Japanese art Akochi is frequently
represented, and always with a sword
held behind his back. The little
mothers of that country tell their chill
dren that If they are not good Akochl
will get them.
The japanese have seven gods of
happiness. all Of whom are described
in nursery rhymes. One of them. and
the favorlte of them all. is Hotel. who
seems to correspond pretty nearly to
our Santa Claus. He brings people
long life and prosperity, and. as
represented in the art Of the country.
he is invariably accompanied by a
stork-a bird which is supposed to
live for 10000 years. Hotel has a
jolly and aminable expression of count
enance, and for good little boys and
girls he carries big sack .ull of
gifts.