A JAPANESE LEGEND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 36, 5 September 1907, Page 37

A JAPANESE LEGEND

In olden times, runs a Japanese legend, a Buddhist monk became acquainted with a Daimio's courier ,who, on his journeys" to and from Tokyo, would often stop and spend the night at the temple. "* He seemed to be a man of remarkable intelligence, with whom it was a great pleasure to converse upon all "sorts of subjects. One night, as the two were talking together, 'the courier said : -* ' I thank you for the many favors you have shown me since we became friends, but to-morrow morning I must bid you farewell and never see you again.' ' Why must that be ? ' asked the monk. ' I will tell you the whole truth,' answered .the courier. 'I am not a man but a fox. For the purpose of deceiving the Dairwio I assumed human form. One of tlie retainers, however, became suspicious^ and learned my. secret. He has made a \trap and baited it with a, roasted rat, in order that he may capture" me on my return journey and put me to death. Alas ! it will be impossible for me to escape.' ' The monk^ exclaimed in astonishment : ' Can it be true that you are a fox ? This is a strange story. Since you know all .about the trap, "why do you- not leave the bait untouched ? ' ' Because it is impossible for a fox, when once it smells roast rat, to keep from tasting it.' ' ' Why, how is it,' asked the monk, « that you, whose wisdom is more than possessed by most men, can throw away your life for the sake of ' eating a roast rat ? Among men, even a fool would know too much for that.' ♦ The fox answered with a "bitter laugh : "• Ah, it is ' only a roast rat that can lead a fox astray. But men, though well aware of the danger, are caught by ' their love of pleasure, of strong drink, or of gold. To obtain these they not only throw away their own lives, but they bring ruin upon their families and their country. These temptations arc only other forms -of roasted rat.'