Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/311

Tarō: You know, I’d like to have a look at the busu. What do you think it can be?

Jirō: Have you gone mad? Don’t you know that even the wind from its way means certain death?

Tarō: Let’s go up to it fanning from this side. In that way we won’t get any wind from it.

Jirō: That’s a good idea.

(The two men stand, and fanning vigorously approach the cask.)

Tarō: Fan, fan hard.

Jirō: I am fanning.

Tarō: I’m going to untie the cord around it now, so fan hard.

Jirō: Right!

Tarō: I’ve unfastened it. Now, I’ll take off the cover.

Jirō: Do it quickly!

Tarō: Keep fanning!

Jirō: I am fanning.

Tarō: It’s off! (They flee to the Bridge.) Oh, that’s a relief!

Jirō: What’s a relief?

Tarō: That thing—it’s not an animal or it would jump out.

Jirō: Perhaps it is only playing dead.

Tarō: I’ll have a look.

Jirō: That’s a good idea.

(They approach the cask as before.)

Tarō: Fan, fan hard!

Jirō: I am fanning!

Tarō: Now I’m going to have a look, so fan hard!

Jirō: Right!

Tarō: I’ve seen it! I’ve seen it! (They flee as before to the Bridge.)

Jirō: What did you see?

Tarō: Something dark gray that looked good to eat. You know, I think I’d like a taste of that busu.

Jirō: How can you think of eating something which will kill you even if you only catch a whiff of it?

Tarō: I must be bewitched by the busu. I can’t think of anything but eating it. I will have a taste.

Jirō: You mustn’t.