FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 182, 3 August 1929, Page 3 (Supplement)

FOR THE LITTLE ONES

A STORY FROM JAPAN

THE IDOL AND THE WHALE

My Dear Little Friends, — in tar-ofr Japan, amonj the trees of Kamakura, there sits a tremendous bronze oucldha, which, as most of you will know, is the god of a many £sstcrn people. Gncc this big idol stood in a very grand b-j; this temple vanished ions leaving Buddha with only the sky for 3iis rooir. In Japan there is a very interesting story about this Buddha, and it tells of his adventures with a whale. The whale was a mpnster among his kind, and took great pride in his v size, just like we might take great pride in our lessons or in our music. He dwelt among the fishes of the sea, who, because they found.him very kind hearted, put up with his bragging about being the biggest thing .on earth, and so they lived very happily together. One day some Japanese fishermen were out in their boat, when one told the other about the greatness or the big bronze statue at Kamakura. A sprat swimming near the surface overheard the conversation, and swam away to tell ths whale all about it. The v/halc was so amused at first when ho heard that something else was as big as him that he simply roared with laughter, but when he thought about it more he became angry and fearful that he was not the biggest thing in the world. The more he thought of a rival the more angry did the whale become, and he lore about in the water, blowing huge of vapour into th= air, and lashing the sea to foam with his tail. When he grew calmer a shark approached, and suggested that he should investigate and find out whether or not the rumour was true. To this plan the whale agreed, and the shark set out shorewards. On the coast the shark met a rat, who proved obliging, and agreed to go inland and measure the .Buddha. Next day he returned to the seashore, and, meeting the shark, said: ' .. "Never in my life have I seen anything so immense as the bronze Buddha. I crawled round the base of it, and found that it measured five thousand paces." The shark was very perturbed at this news, and, swimming back to sea, told the whale what he had learned. The whale could not believe that anything was so big, so he swam to the bottom of the sea, and from a magician obtained a pair of magic boots, which enabled him to walk on land. Then one night he walked ashore and strode down the street of Kamakura to the door of the Great Temple. He knocked upon the doer, and a voice that rang like a mighty bell bade him enter. ? "Pray come out" to me," replied the whale. There was the sound of heavy footfalls, and the doors opened, and a vast figure appeared under the stars. At first the two immense beings were so amazed at the sight of each other that neither could speak, but presently the whale told his story, and the sound of his voice awoke a priest, who had fallen asleep over hi 3 vigil in the temple. He starred up, saw that the Buddha's pedestal was empty, then dashed for the door. Seeing the two giant' figures the priest fell upon his face, only to be picked up by the Buddha, who bade him take their measurements. The poor whale almost died of suspense whilst the priest was making his careful calculations, but at last the decision was given, and it was found that the whale was taller than the Buddha by about two inches. The whale, ever so happy with the knowledge that he was still the biggest thing in the world, went back to the sea to live at peace among his friends, and tha Buddha', smiling quite contentedly, went back' to his pedestal to sit and dream of his interview with the biggest creature alive.