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The Easy Way Home

Introduction to Hikoichi

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English translator　REN HANADA(花田れん)

　Once upon a time, there was a very clever child called Hikoichi.

　One spring day, His Highness decided to go out with about 20 of his servants to view the cherry blossoms.
　His Highness' favorite, Hikoichi, is also invited to participate in the cherry blossom viewing.
　And at the time of their departure, His Highness said to everyone,
"I'm going to have everyone carry their luggage for the cherry blossom viewing, and you may take whichever you like."
　And the servants said,
(Then let's see what we can take.)
　and glanced around at the luggage laid out in front of them.
　There is a chair for His Highness to sit on, felt on the ground, tea bowls, plates, earthenware teapots, hand drum, drum and other musical instruments, as well as tools for drinking, such as earthenware sake bottles and sake cups.
　Other items include brushes, inkstones and strips of paper for poetry compositions.
　The servants were quick to choose light items, preferably smaller ones.
　As Hikoichi watched intently, all that was left were rice balls wrapped in bamboo skin and a package containing side dishes.
(Haha~, the food is so heavy, no one's going to touch it. But they left me with a good one.)
　Hikoichi said, looking purposely disappointed,
"How could there be so much weight left...?"
　Then he picked up the lunch packages, looking heavily laden, and followed the others.
　When the servants saw that, they chuckle to themselves.
(Hikoichi is reputed to be a wise man, but he's a fool to carry such a heavy load.)

　After arriving at the mountain, the group decided to put up the curtain of the enclosure, spread the felt and put their luggage down, and eat the lunch that Hikoichi had brought.
　Everyone enjoyed viewing the flowers, dancing, singing, and drinking to their heart's content.
　Finally, they had to go back to the castle and pack up the luggage that the servants had brought with them. Hikochi said to His Highness,
“Your Highness. Are we going to go back the same way we went?”
“Hmmm. What do you mean?”
“Please take a look at it. The flowers in the mountains are also in full bloom, as you can see. What do you think? Why don't you go home while gazing at the flowers on tha mountains?”
“I see, that's a good thing to realize.”
　His Highness was overjoyed, and immediately told his servants,
"The sun is still high, and I think I'll go home and gaze at the flowers over there, how about that?”
　When the servants heard this, they thought it was a bad idea to carry their luggage across the mountains, but they could not resist the words of their lord.
“Yes. We'll go with you.”
　They reluctantly bowed their heads.
　Then Hikoichi said,
“Well, Your Highness. I'll show you around.”
　He stands and walks ahead of everyone.
　When His Highness looks at his servants, they are all carrying large bags, but Hikoichi only has a small folded furoshiki hanging from his waist.
　His Highness wondered, and asked Hikoichi,
“Hikoichi,　 what happened to your stuff?”
　Hikoichi grinned and said,
"Yes, my baggage is in your bellies, sir.”

End

One point advice : Haste makes waste.

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