I have taken on
myself the challenge to write
a haiku story.
All syllables fit.
If something should be off, the
only thing to blame
is my incorrect
pronunciation of words.
But as I am no
native in either
please be merciful and please
enjoy the story:
Once upon a time
there had been a dragon of
Japanese descent,
a ryū or tatsu
as you also might call it,
for that’s what it was.
Related by blood
to Ryūjin, King of dragons,
but only distant,
it sadly lacked the
power controlling weather.
A sad thing indeed.
The most famous deed
that dragons could achieve, it
was impossible. That was
hard for the dragon –
he was male by the way – and
much sadness this brought.
Without any love
he lived shunned on his lonesome
in mountains instead.
But one day it all
changed for Tatsukichi – that
was his proper name.
Tatsukichi then
heard that Ryūjin’s youngest child
could nowhere be found.
That was curious
though, for said child really was
still a little egg.
As eggs can’t quite run
there was surely something foul
thought Tatsukichi.
He had an idea
knowing the mountains quite well
that were far the sea.
Thus he left his good
lair in a deep water pond
which was crystal clear.
There was only one
who was such a gourmet that
they would dare to steal
even Ryūjin’s egg,
daring to face the anger
of the mighty King.
Tatsukichi went
until he reached a house that
was all in tatters.
“Are you inside?” he
asked, hoping to speak the one
who was living there.
From inside came a
noise, not loud and not quiet.
Indeed someone was
inside the haunted
house, and the dragon knew who.
“Reiko, please come out.”
spoke Tatsukichi
and planned to wait for more.
Creaking opened the
door, showing a pale
woman with long and black hair.
She was the one he
sought. A second mouth
on the back of her head, quite
a famous yōkai.
“Reiko, there you are,
you Futakuchi-onna,
best listen to me.”
said Tatsukichi
“King Ryūjin misses his egg,
his precious offspring
and is crazy with
fear that something has happened
to it. But I know
that you love special,
unheard-of egg dishes and
you love eating too.
Now be honest, pray
tell, have you taken the egg?
If that should be the
case, please do return
it before all hell breaks loose
and Ryūjin in his
anger sinks the isles
of Japan.” That now scared poor
old Reiko, for it
hadn’t been her plan
to die in a tsunami
destroying Japan.
“I will return it
now.” the yōkai woman said
“But don’t tell the King
that it’s me who has
done so.” Tatsukichi was
fine with it and took
care of the egg. He
returned it to the palace
under the deep sea
where Ryūjin’s home
did lie. How glad the King was
to have his child back!
Tatsukichi stayed
in his beautiful pond though
since he came to like
it. But no other
dragon made ever again
fun of this hero.
As for Reiko: She
is as hungry as ever,
looking for new food.
