The
structure of narrative text from issumboshi story :
1. Orientation :
Once upon a time there
was an old couple who didn’t have a child. They lived in a small house near the
village forest. “Please give us a child,” they asked God everyday.
One day, from the
household Shinto altar, they heard a cute cry, “Waa! Waa!”
They looked and saw a
crying baby who looked just like a little finger. “This child must be a gift
from God. Thanks to God!”
“We will call this
child ‘Issumboshi’,” they said.
They raised Issumboshi
with much care, but Issumboshi never grew bigger.
“Hey, Issumboshi, do
you want to be eaten by a frog?” Issumboshi was always being bullied by the
children of the village and often went home feeling unhappy.
Grandmother would make
some big rice balls and encourage him. “Eat a lot, and grow up quickly,”
Grandmother said.
2. Complication :
One day, Issumboshi
said, “I will go to the capital to study and become a respectable person. Then
I will come back.” Grandfather and Grandmother were worried about him, but
Issumboshi’s mind would not be changed. At once they began to prepare for his
trip.
Issumboshi sheathed a
needle sword in a straw case, put on a cup for a sedge hat, and started out
with a chopstick staff, in high spirits.
“I’m going now,”
Issumboshi said.
“Is he safe? With such
a small body?” Grandfather and Grandmother asked as they saw him off.
Issumboshi went on the trip with a big wish in a small body.… … …
At last Issumboshi
reached the capital city and anchored under the bridge. Then he climbed up to
the railing and viewed the town.
“There is a fine palace
over there. I shall ask them at once.”At long last Issumboshi arrived at the
palace.
“Excuse me, but I want
to meet the feudal lord.
” The lord came to the
door, “What? Who’s there?”
“Here I am, at your
feet.”
“Oh. How small! Why do
you want to meet me?”
“Please let me be your
retainer.”
“I wonder if your very
small body can do anything.”
“I’ll stay in your
pocket and guard you from all harm.” When Issumboshi said so, a bee came
buzzing by. “Yhaa!” Issumboshi yelled, stabbing the bee.
“Bravo! I employ you.
It would be good if you became the Princess’s man.”
“Oh! What a cute fellow
he is!” said the Princess, putting Issumboshi on her palm.
“I will defend you upon
my life,” said Issumboshi.
The Princess liked
Issumboshi, and she taught him reading, writing, and various studies. Further,
Issumboshi practiced fencing very hard in order to be strong.
One day the Princess
went out to worship at the Kiyomizu Temple. Suddenly there was a strong wind,
and some demons appeared. The leader of the demons tried to grab the Princess.
“Help me!” she screamed. Issumboshi tried to help her, but the demon caught him
and threw him into his mouth. Issumboshi, who was swallowed, jabbed and jabbed
the demon’s stomach. The demon rolled over and spat out Issumboshi.
Issumboshi jumped at
the demon and stabbed his eyes. The remaining demons were frightened. They ran
away in great haste, but one demon, who was left behind, trembled while holding
the magic hammer.
“Do you want me to stab
your eyes, too?” Issumboshi asked.
“Please, don’t. This is
the magic hammer that will grant you a wish. I give it to you, so please spare
me.” And saying this, he ran off in a hurry.
“Thank you, Issumboshi.
You have saved my life,” the Princess said.
“Princess, please wave
this magic hammer and make a wish that I may become big,” said Issumboshi. The
Princess waved it and asked, “May Issumboshi become big!
3. Resolution :
And then, strangely,
before her eyes, Issumboshi began to grow. He grew into a nice young man. They
went back to the palace, and the Princess asked the King to let her marry
Issumboshi.
The Princess and
Issumboshi then got married, and they invited Grandfather and Grandmother to
live with them in the palace. They lived happily ever after.
