Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-30

tThere is a quality that is elusive in jap
anese fairy tales which makes them Oh
charming interest to the EnRlish-speakins
readers of the worldD
Once upon time there lived alone
with his father and mother simple
young woodcutter He worked haro
all day on the lonely hillside. or among
the shady trees of the forest. But
work as hard as he might. he was still
very poor and could bring home but
little money to his old father and
mother. This grieved him very much
for he was an affectionate and dutiful
son.
For himself he had only few wants
and was easily pleased. His mother.
too was always cheerful and contented
The old father was, however, of selfish
disposition, and often grumbled at the
poor supper of rice, washed down with
weak tea, or. If times were very bad
a cup of hot water.
IF we only had little sake, now,
he would say, 1T would warm one up
and do ones heart good" Sake was a
japanese beverage made from rice,
And then the father would reproach
the simple young fellow. vowing that
m his younger days he had always been
able to afford cup of sake for himself
and his friends.
would work harder than ever and think
to himself. How shall 1 earn some
more money? How shall get a little
sake for my poor old father, who really
needs 1t in weakness and old age?"
He was thinking in this way to him
self one day when he was at work on
the wooded hills, when the sound of
rushing water caught his ear. He had
often worked in the same spot before,
and could not remember that there was
ever any torrent or waterfall near. So
feeling rather surprised, he followed the
sound which got louder and louder I'M
til at last he came upon beautiful
little cascade.
The water looked SO clear and cool
that he stopped down where 1t was
flowing in quiet stream, and using his
hand as cup. drank little of 1t,
What was his amazement to find that
instead of water 1t was most excellent
Sakel
Overioyed at this discovery, he quick
ly filled the gourd which was hanging
at ais girdle. and made the best way
home, rejoicing that now at last, he
had something good TO bring back to
his poor old father. The old man was
so delighted with the sake that he
drank cup after cup. A neighbor hap
pening to drop in, the story was told
TO him, and cup of sake offered and
drunk with many words of astonisheo
gratitude.
Soon the news spread through the
village, and before night there was
hardly a man in the place who hac
not paid his visit of curiosity, beer
told of the magic fountain, and smeli
the gourd. which, alas, was now empty
Next morning the young woodcuttel
set off to work earlier even than usual
not forgetting to carry with him a large
gourd, for or course the enchanted wa,
terfall was to be visited again Wha
was the surprise of the young mar
when he came to the spot, to find sew
eral of his neighbors already there
and all armed with buckets. lars
pitchers; anything that would hold (
good supply OF the coveted sake. Eacf
man had come secretly, believing tina
he alone had found the magic waterfall
The young woodcutter was amused
TO see the looks OF disappointment ans
anger upon the faces of those who al
ready stood near the water as they saw
tresh arrivals every moment. Each
one looked more ashamed and uncom
Portable In the presence of his neigh
bors; but at last one holder than thu
others broke the grim silence with {
laugh which soon the others joined.
Here We are" said he with a sens,
of humor, "all with the same purpos,
In view. Let us fill our Jars ana gourd
and go home. But first just one tast,
OF the magic sake"