NET長瀬英文翻訳

THE CRANE OF GRATITUDE II

 

    The winter came. One snowy day, there was a knock at the door. He went to the door and opened it. A strange woman was standing there and shivered in the cold wind.“Excuse me, but I lost my way in this heavy snow and fortunately found a light of your house. I wanted to go to the town to get a job for my living. But I cannot go any further in this heavy snow. Will you please let me stay in your house for a while?” she asked. “Well, I cannot treat you well but here is a fireplace. Come in and warm yourself sitting by the fire,” he answered. It didn’t seem like the snow would stop soon. He decided to let her stay until the snow stops.

    Her name was Tsu. Strangely enough, during her stay at his house, every meal time she went out and came back having some vegetables and fish in her bag. He felt thankful for her and wondered how she could get such food. But she said she had left her food in the snow near his house.

    One night, Yohyo said “I want to go to the town tomorrow to sell these bamboo colanders and straw sandals I made.” Tsu said to him smiling “Let me weave a piece of fabric. I’m good at weaving. I can finish it by next morning.” “OK. I have a weaving machine my mother used when she was alive. It’s in the backroom. You can use it,” said Yohyo. “Thank you. But please don’t get into the room to see me while I’m weaving. I weave in a very strange way. So I’m ashamed of being watched.” “Oh, is that so? Sure. Never mind,” he said gently.

    Next morning, he woke up to find a small parcel wrapped in a furoshiki beside his futon. He opened it and was surprised at the beautiful stole he had never seen before. Tsu was preparing for the breakfast. “Thank you for this beautiful stole. I’ve never seen such a beautiful cloth before. You are really skillful. I may be able to get some money today,” said Yohyo. “It’s traditionally handed down in my hometown. I’m very happy if it goes for a high price. Be careful and come back safe,” said Tsu.

    Yohyo went to town with the commodities of his own handmade and the stole made by Tsu. The commodities sold well. A noble man was walking by so Yohyo talked to him. “Today, I have a rare stole. This kind of thing will please ladies.” The noble man stopped by and asked what kind of thing it was. Yohyo took the stole out of the furoshiki and showed it to him. The noble man was very surprised at the beauty of the stole and bought it at a good price and said “Next time you bring this kind of cloth, I will buy them all. Don’t sell it to anyone but me.” Yohyo made a promise with the man. Yohyo got great money and went back home in a hurry.

    As soon as he got home, he talked to Tsu about everything that happened at the town. Tsu looked happy to hear that. “I’ll weave that fabric again for you,” said Tsu. “I can make several stoles at night, so you can sell them in the town again next time.” “Thank you but take care of your health,” said Yohyo.

    Tsu made several stoles and Yohyo sold them at the town. They got along very well but Yohyo worried about Tsu, because Tsu looked losing her weight.

    One night, Yohyo woke up before the dawn. Tsu was weaving in the back room. Yohyo talked to her, “It’s nearly dawn, and you’d better go to bed.” There was no reply. He could only hear the sound of the weaving machine. He wondered if she was alright. He called her again. He couldn’t hear her voice. He couldn’t help but slightly open the door.

    There was a skinny crane before the weaving machine and some feathers of the crane were on the machine. The crane looked at Yohyo sadly and sounded feebly. The crane suddenly disappeared and Tsu was kneeling behind him and said. “I am the crane you saved from the hunter’s trap. I wanted to be helpful for you. Since you have come to know what I am, I cannot live with you anymore. I have been very happy with you. Please take care of yourself and live happily. Good bye, Yohyo,” said Tsu and the next moment he heard a sound of flapping out of his house. He rushed out of his house and saw a crane flew away in the dawning sky.

     The End