Renai-shousetsu

       Long ago, in a poor farming village, there lived a young man. This man was of no particular age nor did he posses the most appealing physique. He was not incredibly handsome, and he was not of noble birth. In fact he had very few special qualities about him, except that he could see the true beauty in everything and everyone. The young man lived alone on the edge of the village, and only came into town when necessary.

       On one such trip into town, he noticed a great ruckus in the streets. Shops were decorated, banners were hung, and in the distance a joyful music played. All the commotion peaked the interest of the young man, and he went to see the cause for such celebration.

       Following the sound of the music to its source eventually lead him to a well decorated courtyard. Many people had gathered around a small carriage which rode on four men’s shoulders. The contents of the carriage seemed to be moving on their own accord. Having already been drawn this far, the young man ventured as close to the carriage as the throngs of people would allow. Inside the golden device, he saw the most beautiful creature he had ever seen, a small woman, not much younger than himself.

       It was obvious that she was some form of royalty, but as the days went by he could not let go the image of the woman. It had begun to affect his work, his home, and his very life. No longer able to do the things he once took for granted, he decided to give a gift to the woman, in hopes of turning her affections. But now, that which once came naturally to him, finding things of great beauty, seemed to be eluding him. He searched through the deepest valleys, ventured to each town, and climbed the sides of mountains. He walked as far as his legs would take him, and finally when exhaustion had set in, he came to rest by a murky river. He collected some water in a small jug to quench his thirst, and as he began to drink, he noticed eyes staring back at him. Realising he had accidentally caught two fish in his jug he bent back down by the river to let them free.

       It was then, there in the sunlight, that he noticed the patterns and colours present in the fish’s scales. Seeing such a beautiful combination of colour and texture had finally inspired the youth. Taking both the fish back home with him, he spent days working on a habitat for his new swimming friends. With its completion he took his cart and headed out for the woman’s palace.

       Along the way, he stopped back by the same river and set lose the two fish who had given him back his inspiration. Thanking them both for the vision of beauty they had bestowed upon him, he emptied their glass jar into the murky river from which they had came.

       As soon as he arrived, he demanded an audience with the young woman, telling everyone that would listen he had a gift for her. Finally the family relented and allowed the young man a brief amount of time before he would be forced to leave. Knowing he had to make his speech in haste, he stumbled out before the woman and went straight to the point.

       After explaining how he first came to see her and the effect that she had on his life thus far, he prepared to unveil the gift he had worked so diligently on the prior days.

       Removing the silk linens he had purchased to disguise his gift, the entire crowd gasped in unison. Before them was a giant hand carved statue, of two koi fish swimming circles around a large hill. Atop the hill was a beautiful dragon, wings spread out, protecting the two fish from harm. The entire statue was encrusted with various gemstones and jewels from all around the region, making the display shine and sparkle like nothing else in the palace. A silence had over taken the crowd, and before anyone had time to speak, the young man began to speak again.

       “The first day I saw you, I was awe struck with the gentle beauty and power you commanded. I couldn’t rest until I had managed to create something that could show you what I see with in you. The power, the grace, the gentleness, and the beauty I have tried to capture in this gift I made for you.”