Takeshi And The Six Statues Of God

It was the coldest month of the year, in Japan,
and it was the year end.
There, lived a poor couple Takeshi and Aiko,
in a small town.
Aiko was counting her savings,
for the new year celebration
that could bring fortune to their house.
Oh, sweetheart,
I don’t see that we have enough money to buy any rice cakes for the new year.
Don’t worry, honey.
There must be some way that we could figure out.
Without eating rice cakes for the new year,
we’ll not get any good fortune.
Wait, I got an idea!
Aiko left the place
and came back with her wedding kimono.
Please sell this and get us rice cakes for the new year.
But, honey, this is your wedding kimono!
Oh sweet heart
Don’t feel bad.
God is going to bless us with good fortune, anyway.
Listening to Aiko’s words,
Takeshi left the house,
to sell the kimono for rice cakes.
When Takeshi was walking down the
snowing streets,
he came across the statue of God Jizo, on his way.
Oh, Almighty!
I don’t have any offerings for you, but,
while I’m returning, I promise to offer you a rice cake.
said Takeshi, and left the place.
On his way to the market,
he came across five other statues of
different Gods,
and he made the same promise to each of them.
Later that day, at the market,
*Sobbing* *Sobbing*
I have not sold a single fan, yet.
How on earth will I buy my wedding
kimono?
*Sobbing* *Sobbing*
Here, miss, you can have this kimono for your wedding.
But, Sir, I don’t have any money in
return.
It’s okay. Please take this as my gift for your marriage.
How kind! You can have my entire basket of fans in return.
Sometime later,
Beautiful fans, for you!
Beautiful fans, for you!
The girl was right nobody would buy fans, in this season.
I should be able to trade these fans for the bell.
It looks perfect for the new year celebration.
Takeshi traded the fans for the beautiful bell.
And, sometime later,
Sir, are you interested trading this bell, for my bamboo hats?
Well, I would love to.
Takeshi traded the bell for the hats and left for home.
On his way, he came across a statue of God,
to whom he had made the promise.
God, please forgive me for I couldn’t bring you rice cakes.
Rather have this hat, and it will protect you from the snow.
He placed the hat on the statue’s head,
and he did the same for the other four.
Finally, when he came across the statue of God Jizo,
Oh, almighty! I’ve run out of bamboo hats.
Please accept my hat instead.
And, he returned home.
Hahaha! You’re very kind, sweetheart.
Said Aiko, on hearing what happened.
And, that night the couple went to sleep.
Did you hear any sound?
Who would have come here at this time?
To their surprise,
Gods, please bless us!
The Gods blessed Takeshi and Aiko
and left them a big bowl of rice cakes,
that would last for days.
And, the couple had a wonderful new year.
Kids, what have you learned from the
story?
Despite being poor,
Takeshi was so generous,
that the Gods themselves, came to his house to bless the couple
So, kids,
don’t forget to be kind
and generous to one another,
all the time.