The Story of O-sei
Japanese
Long, long ago there lived a handsome boy and a pretty girl named O-sei in a small village. They were friends from their childhood. While they were not aware of it, they loved each other. One day the boy said to her seriously,
"When we grow up, I'll propose to you."
"I'll be your wife," she swore.
When they grew up, she became prettier, and a man from a rich family wanted to get married to her. The girl's parents were delighted and told her about the offer.
When he heard it, the young man, who had pledged to marry her, got so shocked that he decided to leave his village secretly.
One day at midnight, he unfastened his boat at the riverbank. When he was going to start rowing, he heard a familiar voice.
"Wait for me! I'll go with you."
O-sei showed up unexpectedly and jumped into the boat. He hugged her tightly in his arms. A few days later, the two arrived at a town down the river.
O-sei had a happy life with her husband for six years. During the years, they were blessed with two children. But she always thought about her parents deep in her mind. She at last asked her husband,
"I am so happy with you, but I'm always worried about my parents. I think it's about time to meet and ask them to consent to our marriage."
Her husband accepted her desire readily,
"That's just what I have in my mind. Why not go and see our parents?"
A few days later, they started for the old village with their two children.
First of all, they visited O-sei's parents'home. When she saw her mother for the first time in 6 years, she cried, 'Mom!' Her eyes filled with teas.
"Mom, how much I missed you!"
However, her mother's reaction gave her a shock.
"Who are you?" her mother dubiously asked.
"It's me, your daughter. I came back here to apologize for our rudeness. Six years ago, without your permission, I left home to get married to him."
Her mother, who looked confused, said to her.
"What are you talking about? My daughter has been sick in bed for six years here in this house,"
"Take a good look at me. I'm your daughter. I have been in good health. We have two children; your grandchildren. Please don't make fun of me!"
They looked at each other for a while, and then her mother told O-sei and her husband to follow her. She led them to a back room, where, to their great surprise, O-sei herself was lying, thin and pale, on a futon.
Her mother said to O-sei.
"My daughter suddenly got ill and dumb one day at midnight six years ago. She has been on that futon since then. Our doctor said, 'Her disease is incurable.' You look like my daughter very much, but I feel something mysterious."
O-sei gave her access to the sick lady's face, when the two ladies melted into one---a beautiful healthy lady. The lady said to her mother,
"That night I had a dream. I left the village with my loved one by boat, and arrived at a town down the river. But I don't know which one is really myself, the one who left home or the other who stayed here sick."(2013.3.1 With Itaya)
(Original by Lafcadio Hearn)
