Hukumusume fairy tale collection > Foreign language (English) >Short stories of Edo

Walk On My Own

(Short stories of Edo)

Translation　ちいさな翻訳屋さん

Japanese　←→　Japanese ＆ English　←→　English

　Long ago, there lived a very stingy father.

　When he became ill and was almost dying, he gathered his children to his bed.

“Let me tell you this in advance. Even though I’ve donated lots of money to temples, I still haven’t heard from the heaven.

　Do not waste any more money even when I die.

　Make sure to hold a funeral that doesn’t cost too much.

　Understood?”

　He emphasized so to everyone.

　The children said,

“We’ll do as you wish then, but do you want us to transport your coffin on a Koshi (a special carrier used to transport a coffin)?”

　The father said,

“No, that costs too much.”

“How about an oxcart?”

“That’s still costly.”

“How about having two men carry it?”

“No, you would need to hire two men for that. That’s costly.”

“What should we do then?”

　Then the father exclaimed,

“What a bother!

　I’ll walk on my own when I die.”

The end

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