Dedicated to the green eyed monster in my life!
Japan , 1845
The door of the Ryokan, the ancient Japanese inn burst open. Several pairs of eyes followed the well built warrior as he walked into the Ryokan, sat down, and placed his sword next to him. All the villagers of Ozato village eyed him with fear and suspicion. One villager walked up to him boldly and asked him:
“O warrior! Who are you and what brings you to the peaceful village of Ozato?”
“I am a Rourni, a wanderer. I come in search of the green eyed monster, Nisimah.”
The villager ordered O-Sake and a bowl of rice for the warrior. Other villagers slowly gathered around the warrior.
“Tell us your story, O warrior!”
The warrior sipped his glass of O-Sake and began his story.
‘It all started one terrible night in 1830. I was only 6 yrs old. The village Honjo was attacked by the green eyed monster, and everyone, all the farmers, including my family perished. The entire village was wiped out in one night. I however managed to escape. My house was burnt down and I walked for miles without food or water. A man came to me and asked me who I was. I told him about my family and their fate. He took me with him to his home and told me that from that day, I was to consider his home as my own. Master Saicho took me in as his son and taught me everything I know. I trained in the dojo, with other students, mastered the bow and the arrows, and learnt how to fight with the sword. For fifteen years I have trained hard with only one motive in my mind, to avenge the death of my family and slay the green eyed monster, Nisimah.’
“Nisimah, the green eyed monster lives just beyond the mountains” One villager interjected.
The eyes of the warrior blazed with anger.
‘Before leaving the dojo, master Saicho presented me with the golden katana.’
The warrior pointed at the golden katana, the magnificent sword that won him many battles.
Before parting, master Saicho looked at me with tender eyes, “Son, I have taught you everything I know about swordsmanship, but alas, the purpose of your sword is revenge and not peace. A true swordsman is one who is at peace with himself and those around him.”
The warrior thanked the villagers for their hospitality and resumed his journey to find the monster.
It took the warrior three long days, traveling through perilous terrains, crossing treacherous rivers and trekking through the mountains to reach the monster’s lair.
The door of the Ryokan, the ancient Japanese inn burst open. Several pairs of eyes followed the well built warrior as he walked into the Ryokan, sat down, and placed his sword next to him. All the villagers of Ozato village eyed him with fear and suspicion. One villager walked up to him boldly and asked him:
“O warrior! Who are you and what brings you to the peaceful village of Ozato?”
“I am a Rourni, a wanderer. I come in search of the green eyed monster, Nisimah.”
The villager ordered O-Sake and a bowl of rice for the warrior. Other villagers slowly gathered around the warrior.
“Tell us your story, O warrior!”
The warrior sipped his glass of O-Sake and began his story.
‘It all started one terrible night in 1830. I was only 6 yrs old. The village Honjo was attacked by the green eyed monster, and everyone, all the farmers, including my family perished. The entire village was wiped out in one night. I however managed to escape. My house was burnt down and I walked for miles without food or water. A man came to me and asked me who I was. I told him about my family and their fate. He took me with him to his home and told me that from that day, I was to consider his home as my own. Master Saicho took me in as his son and taught me everything I know. I trained in the dojo, with other students, mastered the bow and the arrows, and learnt how to fight with the sword. For fifteen years I have trained hard with only one motive in my mind, to avenge the death of my family and slay the green eyed monster, Nisimah.’
“Nisimah, the green eyed monster lives just beyond the mountains” One villager interjected.
The eyes of the warrior blazed with anger.
‘Before leaving the dojo, master Saicho presented me with the golden katana.’
The warrior pointed at the golden katana, the magnificent sword that won him many battles.
Before parting, master Saicho looked at me with tender eyes, “Son, I have taught you everything I know about swordsmanship, but alas, the purpose of your sword is revenge and not peace. A true swordsman is one who is at peace with himself and those around him.”
The warrior thanked the villagers for their hospitality and resumed his journey to find the monster.
It took the warrior three long days, traveling through perilous terrains, crossing treacherous rivers and trekking through the mountains to reach the monster’s lair.
“Who dares disturb Nisimah?” thundered the green eyed monster.
“A warrior from Honjo village. I have come here to kill you.”
The moment the warrior had been waiting for fifteen long years had finally arrived. And so, the battle began.
The monster swooped down at the warrior with its poisonous talons, but he was too quick for the monster. His sharp Katana ripped though the monster’s skin with ease. The monster roared with rage and stuck a blow with its claws, injuring the warrior’s leg. He limped with pain and again struck the sword at the monster. The battle waged on between the monster and the skillful warrior.
Finally, the monster accepted defeat.
“O warrior! You are indeed a worthy opponent. I am ready to die. Please make it quick.”
“Before I kill you, tell me, why did you attack my peaceful Honjo village fifteen years ago?”
“We never kill humans for food. Yet, fifteen years ago, villagers came to my den in the forest and it ablaze while I was out hunting. My offspring died in the fire. I vowed to take revenge and attacked Honjo village.”
“But we are farmers. Our villagers would never have set fire to your den”
“I realized that much later on and vengeance didn’t solve anything. I know how you must be feeling. I am truly sorry for destroying your village and killing your loved ones. If killing me makes you happy, then I am willing to die.”
The warrior stared at the monster thoughtfully. He withdrew his sword, the golden katana, turned his back to the monster and slowly walked away.
The warrior had learnt the final lesson. He had forgiven the monster. He was finally at peace.
