Hukumusume fairy tale collection > Story Top > Short stories of Edo

The Man with a Big Mouth

(Short stories of Edo)

Translation　ちいさな翻訳屋さん

Japanese　←→　Japanese ＆ English　←→　English

　When Kuma and Hachi were speaking ill of others, Take overheard the conversation.

　Kuma and Hachi found that a problem and said,

“We know you’ve got a big mouth, but can you not tell anyone for this?”

　When they gave money to Take, he pounded his chest and said,

“Now that I accepted your money, my lips are sealed no matter what.”

　Then he left.


　At midnight, someone was knocking Kuma’s door.

　When he got up, he found Take standing outside of the door.

“What happened? What are you doing here so late?”

　Then Take answered,

“Well, to tell you the truth, I’m here to return the money that you gave me this afternoon. I can’t sleep because I’m desperate to tell someone about what you guys were talking about.”


　A person with a big mouth can never keep his mouth shut.

The end

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