A classic short novel a day | bamboo

bamboo

(Japan) Shinichi Hoshi

Somewhere was invaded by the armies of a neighboring country, and the lord and the people involved were slaughtered. The man who had become the new lord said after some deliberation: "The former lord of this place has heard that there is a young and very handsome son. If I killed even this young child, the people would probably think of me as a demon and a ghost, and it would be difficult to rule this place in the future. You can build a hut on the other side of the hill, send a wet nurse to take care of him, and keep him there. That is to say, put him under house arrest there for the rest of his life. ”

The people at the bottom did so. That place is also easy to monitor from the mountain, and it is difficult to escape to other places. After about two years, bamboo began to grow around the hut at a distance, as if to surround the hut far away. When the bamboo grows, it seems to be a bamboo tree wall. Naturally, the line of sight of the watcher becomes increasingly difficult to see. The man at the post asked the farmer who had been selected for delivering three meals. The farmer replied, "Those bamboos are really good." Even the rainy season looks refreshing. Now that summer is almost here, it will definitely make people feel particularly cool. In winter, it can block the north wind again, and it is very warm inside. ”

The bamboo tree wall became wider and wider, and it was like a bamboo forest. According to the farmer, living in it is more comfortable than before. Xu was the role of bamboo, or perhaps at this time or another, the little orphan was now said to have become a handsome young man. The new lord then ordered, "Have you all grown up and become young?" You'll have to be wary of that. If he learns a good martial art again, it will not be easy to clean up. Yes, you might as well send a beautiful girl in. ”

So he chose a graceful and beautiful woman and sent her into the bamboo forest. Of course, I have repeatedly instructed in advance that if there is any suspicious movement in it, it is necessary to remember to report it immediately. After the woman entered the bamboo forest, she never returned once. Asked the farmer. The farmer's answer is always: don't worry. The new lord then had to summon a subordinate who was good at martial arts and ordered him, "Go into the bamboo forest at once and go to the hut to investigate the situation." If there is any conspiracy going on, you can dispose of it without mercy. ”

However, after the samurai entered, he never returned. According to the farmer, he had become a very kind man and was following the young lord. What the hell is going on here? The new lord couldn't think of a good idea for a moment. Even if you want to consult someone, at best, it is only the farmer. So I called him. Q: "What is the situation in the bamboo forest?" ”

"These days, I haven't been in, so I don't know. You don't have to bring food in anymore. The good guys inside can be self-sufficient. If even you stay here, you can't say it— they say so. ”

"That's weird."

"Don't worry, they don't have any obstacles to the outside." Wouldn't it be nice to let them go on like this? ”

Soon after, the new lord was killed in battle as a result of the expedition. The inheriting rulers were indifferent to the bamboo forest. Bamboo groves are still bamboo groves. It never stretches outward. If it's growing, it's just inward. Because the birth is very dense and complicated, no one knows whether there is a path to pass through other places. As for the farmer, as he grew older, he also became seriously ill. There were not many days to come anyway, so I walked into the bamboo forest on crutches. Since then, I have never heard from you again.

◆◆ ◆

This public account has 256 original works, welcome to reprint and open.