Legendary Stories

 

The stories from old are written here.

Remember them well, and pass them down to the next generation.

While truth does not change, every day does.

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Story 1 – King Lion

 

The Cowardly Prince

 

In a country, there was a prince named Tamaro, who, although had a good head, was not confident. His father was brave and very wise, and a great king loved by all of his people. Tamaro, thinking of that, became very unconfident. Despite that, one time, his father said this: “I will soon be gone, and will turn over the crown to you.”

The prince was far from rejoicing, and was instead greatly troubled. He truly did not believe he could become king.

Worried in the end, he unsteadily left the castle and wandered, and there met a very strong looking lion.

He immediately thought to run, but when the lion caught the prince, he gaped and swallowed the prince in one gulp.

At first, the prince thought he was in trouble, but soon changed his mind.

It is said that he himself did off the king and things weren’t good. With a sigh, the prince said to the lion, “Mr. Lion, since I am the prince of this land, I will become king the day after. Since you have eaten me, please become the next king.”

“Become king, huh? That wouldn’t be bad.”

That being said, the prince guided the lion into the royal palace.

With the arrival of the lion, the people were surprised, but the prince insisted from the belly of the lion, and the lion finally became king.

The lion demonstrated a considerable king. When there were quarrels within the kingdom, he rushed in and roared “I will eat you all if you complain,” and ended them. There was a complaint of having no bridge, he made a bridge by bringing down a tree with his burly forepaws. However, when it came to taxes or laws, he understood nothing. During such times, Tamaro put his head to work from the belly of the lion and brought forth very good ideas to settle them.

 

The Two Dragons

 

One time, news came that two dragons from the ends of the East and West of the kingdom were raging. Everyone trembled in fear and hoped for the ferocious lion to do away with them, and the king himself took it on himself to exterminate the dragons.

Nonetheless, even King Lion thought there was no chance of beating two great dragons.

“You in my belly, what am I to do?”

Tamaro, who was consulted, gave the King Lion his plan.

King Lion went to meet the enormous Eastern Dragon and roared in his presence.

“Dragon, I will now do away with you. No matter how big you are, I can eat you.”

“What’s this? Can you now?”

The Eastern Dragon ate King Lion in a moment.

King Lion said, “Dragon, you are the king now. As the king, go and do away with the Western Dragon for your people.”

Though King Lion said that, the dragon completely didn’t pay attention to him, but he was pleased when the happened across the people and they respectfully bowed to him (Tamaro thought that people of a close by village had requested beforehand). With that, he flew to the Western mountains and defeated the other dragon.

It is that time. From the belly of the dragon, King Lion extracted his claws. The dragon writhed about, saying “Ouch, ouch, forgive me.”

“If you don’t want pain, then promise that you will not do bad to the people.”

“I understand, yes. I will not.”

However, this was a cunning dragon. If the lion came out from his belly, then wouldn’t the promise be absolved? King Lion set the content of the talk to his belly, to Tamaro. This content occasionally garnered complaining sounds. With this, it would not be noticed even if he were not there anymore.

While the dragon was sleeping, King Lion gently came out of his mouth and returned to the royal palace. From then on, the kingdom never suffered from another dragon.

 

A New King

 

On a day in the tenth year of peace in the kingdom, King Lion said “You in my belly, come out from there and become the king.”

Tamaro was quite surprised and said with a quivering voice, “Oh, I don’t think I can become king.”

“In these ten years, haven’t you granted me much good wisdom?”

“No, I’m but a coward. You are ferocious and majestic, and because I was in you, I was able to say that I had made up my mind.”

King Lion had a great sneeze and spat him out.

Tamaro, who hadn’t gone out in ten years, couldn’t believe his eyes. King Lion’s mane became completely white, and his face was nothing but wrinkles. Having long been inside him, Tamaro didn’t know him in the least.

“Even I have aged like this. I wanted to be able with the dragon, but wasn’t able to rage. Even though if I just thought to do it, I would always have been able to. The reason the vassals and the people were able to accept me as king wasn’t because I was strong. It’s because I devoted myself to the people. So, it is because of you that I was able to do that. It is you who is the true king. It would be well if you believed in yourself.”

Of course, even everyone in the castle told Tamaro to become king.

“Lord Tamaro, everyone is grateful for everything you have done. The kingdom needs a king like you.”

Hearing that, Tamaro came to feel confidence and bravery.

Tamaro, who had become king, became increasingly devoted to the nation. The lion retired, but Tamaro befriended him and they always lived as good friends.

Now, there are animal kings in various countries, but there was never again a king in Second Country who was not human. Since King Lion, many magnificent animal kings were able to be accepted.