1

Mukashi, hananoki-mura ni, goningumi no nusubito ga yatte kimashita.

Sore wa, wakatake ga, achikochi no sora ni, kabosoku, uiuishii midori iro no me o nobashite iru shoka no hiru de, matsubayashi dewa matsuzemi ga, JII JII JIII to naite imashita.

Nusubito-tachi wa, kita kara kawa ni sotte yatte kimashita. Hananoki-mura no iriguchi no atari wa, sukanpo ya umagoyashi no haeta midori no nohara de, kodomo ya ushi ga asonde orimashita. Kore dake o mite mo, kono mura ga heiwa na mura de aru koto ga, nusubito-tachi niwa wakarimashita. Soshite, konna mura niwa, okane ya ii kimono o motta ie ga aru ni chigainai to, mou yorokonda no de arimashita.

Kawa wa yabu no shita o nagare, soko ni kakatte iru hitotsu no suisha o GOTON GOTON to mawashite, mura no okufukaku haitte ikimashita.

Yabu no tokoro made kuru to, nusubito no uchi no kashira ga, iimashita.

"Sore dewa, washi wa kono yabu no kage de matte iru kara, omaera wa, mura no naka e haitte itte yousu o mite koi. Nanibun, omaera wa nusubito ni natta bakari da kara, hema o shinai you ni ki o tsukeru n da zo. Kane no ari sou na ie o mitara, soko no ie no dono mado ga yaburesou ka, soko no ie ni inu ga iru ka dou ka, yokku shiraberu no da zo. Iika kamaemon."

"Hee."

to kamaemon ga kotaemashita. Kore wa kinou made tabiaruki no kamashi de, kama ya chagama o tsukutte ita no de arimashita.

"Iika, ebinojou."

"Hee."

to ebinojou ga kotaemashita. Kore wa kinou made joumaeya de, ieie no kura ya nagamochi nado no jou o tsukutte ita no de arimashita.

"Iika kakubee."

"Hee."

to mada shounen no kakubee ga kotaemashita. Kore wa echigo kara kita kakubeejishi de, kinou made wa, ieie no shikii no soto de, sakadachi shitari, tonbogaeri o uttari shite, ichimon nimon no zeni o moratte ita no de arimashita.

"Iika kannatarou."

"Hee."

to kannatarou ga kotaemashita. Kore wa, edo kara kita daiku no musuko de, kinou made wa shokoku no otera ya jinja no mon nado no tsukuri o mite mawari, daiku no shugyou shite ita no de arimashita.

"Saa, minna, ike. Washi wa oyakata da kara, kokode ippuku suinagara matte iru."

Sokode nusubito no deshi-tachi ga, kamaemon wa kamashi no furi o shi, ebinojou wa joumaeya no furi o shi, kakubee wa shishimai no you ni fue o HYARAHYARA narashi, kannatarou wa daiku no furi o shite, hananoki-mura ni hairikonde ikimashita.

Kashira wa deshi-domo ga itte shimau to, dokka to kawabata no kusa no ue ni koshi o oroshi, deshi-domo ni hanashita toori, tabako o SUPPA, SUPPA to suinagara, nusubito no you na kaotsuki o shite imashita. Kore wa, zutto mae kara hitsuke ya nusubito o shite kita hontou no nusubito de arimashita.

"Washi mo kinou made wa, hitori bocchi no nusubito de atta ga, kyou wa, hajimete nusubito no oyakata to iu mono ni natte shimatta. Daga, oyakata ni natte miru to, kore wa nakanaka ii mon da wai. Shigoto wa deshi-domo ga shite kite kureru kara, koushite nekoronde matte oreba ii wake de aru."

to kashira wa, suru koto ga nai no de, sonna tsumaranai hitorigoto o itte mitari shite imashita.

Yagate deshi no kamaemon ga modotte kimashita.

"Okashira, okashira."

Kashira wa, pyokon to azami no hana no soba kara karada o okoshimashita.

"Ei kuso', bikkuri shita. Okashira nado to yobunja nee, sakana no atama no you ni kikoeru ja nee ka. Tada kashira to ie."

Nusubito ni naritate no deshi wa,

"Makoto ni ai sumimasen."

to ayamarimashita.

"Dou da, mura no naka no yousu wa."

to kashira ga kikimashita.

"Hee, subarashii desu yo, kashira. Arimashita, arimashita."

"Nani ga."

"Ookii ie ga arimashite ne, soko no meshitaki gama wa, mazu santo gurai wa takeru oogama deshita. Are wa erai zeni ni narimasu. Sore kara, otera ni tsutte atta kane mo, nakanaka ookina mono de, are o tsubuseba, mazu chagama ga gojuu wa dekimasu. Naani, asshi no me ni kurui wa arimasen. Uso da to omounara, asshi ga tsukutte misemashou."

"Bakabakashii koto ni ibaru no wa yamero."

to kashira wa deshi o shikari tsukemashita.

"Kisama wa, mada kamashi konjou ga nuken kara dame da. Sonna meshitaki gama ya tsurigane nado bakari mitekuru yatsu ga aru ka. Sore ni nan da, sono te ni motte iru, ana no aita nabe wa."

"Hee, kore wa, sono, aru ie no mae o toorimasu to, makinoki no ikegaki ni kore ga kakete hoshite arimashita. Miru to kono, shiri ni ana ga aite ita no desu. Sore o mitara, jibun ga nusubito de aru koto o tsui wasurete shimatte, kono nabe, nijuumon de naoshimashou, to soko no okamisan ni itte shimatta no desu."

"Nan to iu manuke da. Jibun no shoubai wa nusubito da to iu koto o shikkari hara ni irete oran kara, sonna koto da."

to, kashira wa kashira rashiku, deshi ni oshiemashita. Soshite,

"Mou ippen, mura ni mogurikonde, shikkari minaoshite koi."

to meijimashita. Kamaemon wa, ana no aita nabe o buran buran to furi nagara, mata mura ni haitte ikimashita.

Kondo wa ebinojou ga modotte kimashita.

"Kashira, koko no mura wa korya dame desu ne."

to ebinojou wa chikaranaku iimashita.

"Dou shite."

"Dono kura nimo, jou rashii jou wa, tsuite orimasen. Kodomo demo nejikire sou na jou ga, tsuite oru dake desu. Are ja, kocchi no shoubai nya narimasen."

"Kocchi no shoubai to iu no wa nan da."

"Hee, joumae ya."

"Kisama mo mada konjou ga kawatte oran."

to kashira wa donaritsukemashita.

"Hee, ai sumimasen."

"Sou iu mura koso, kocchi no shoubai ni naru ja naika. Kura ga atte, kodomo demo nejikire sou na jou shika tsuite oran to iu hodo, kocchi no shoubai ni tsugou no yoi koto ga aru ka. Manuke me ga. Mou ippen, minaoshite koi."

"Naruhodo ne. Kou iu mura koso shoubai ni naru no desu ne."

to ebinojou wa, kanshin shinagara, mata mura ni haitte ikimashita.

Tsugi ni kaette kita no wa, shounen no kakubee de arimashita. Kakubee wa, fue o fuki nagara kita no de, mada yabu no mukou de sugata no mienai uchi kara, wakarimashita.

"Itsumade , HYARA HYARA to narashite oru no ka. Nusubito wa narubeku oto o tatenu you ni shite oru mono da."

to kashira wa shikarimashita. Kakubee wa fuku no o yamemashita.

"Sore de, kisama wa nani o mite kita no ka."

"Kawa ni tsuite dondon ikimashitara, hanashoubu o niwa ichimen ni sakaseta chiisai ie ga arimashita."

"Un, sore kara? "

"Sono ie no nokishita ni, atama no ke mo mayuge mo agohige mo masshiro na jiisan ga imashita."

"Un, sono jiisan ga, koban no haitta tsubo demo en no shita ni kakushite isouna yousu datta ka."

"Sono ojiisan ga takebue o fuite orimashita. Chotto shita, tsumaranai takebue da ga, totemo ee ne ga shite orimashita. Anna, fushigi ni utsukushii ne wa hajimete kikimashita. Ore ga kikihorete itara, jiisan wa nikoniko shinagara, mittsu nagai kyoku o kikashite kuremashita. Ore wa, orei ni, tonbogaeri o nanahen, tsudukezama ni yatte misemashita."

"Yare yare da. Sore kara? "

"Ore ga, sono fue wa ii fue da to ittara, fuetake no haete iru takeyabu o oshiete kuremashita. Soko no take de tsukutta fue da sou desu. Sore de, ojiisan no oshiete kureta takeyabu e itte mimashita. Hontou ni ee fuetake ga, nanbyakusuji mo, suisui to haete orimashita."

"Mukashi, take no naka kara, kin no hikari ga sashita to iu hanashi ga aru ga, dou da, koban demo ochite ita ka."

"Sore kara, mata kawa o dondon kudatte iku to chiisai amadera ga arimashita. Soko de hana no tou ga arimashita. Oniwa ni ippai hito ga ite, ore no fue kurai no ookisa no oshakasama ni, amacha no yu o kakete orimashita. Ore mo ippai kakete, sore kara ippai nomashite moratte kimashita. Chawan ga aru nara kashira nimo motte kite agemashita no ni."

"Yare yare, nan to iu tsumi no nee nusubito da. Sou iu hitogomi no naka dewa, hito no futokoro ya tamoto ni ki o tsukeru mono da. Tonma me ga, mou ippen kisama mo yarinaoshite koi. Sono fue wa koko e oite ike."

Kakubee wa shikararete, fue o kusa no naka e oki, mata mura ni haitte ikimashita.

Oshimai ni kaette kita no wa kannatarou deshita.

"Kisama mo, rokunamono wa mite konakattarou."

to, kikanai saki kara, kashira ga iimashita.

"Iya, kanemochi ga arimashita, kanemochi ga."

to kannatarou wa koe o hazumasete iimashita. Kanemochi to kiite, kashira wa nikoniko to shimashita.

"Oo, kanemochi ka."

"Kanemochi desu, kanemochi desu. Subarashii rippa na ie deshita."

"Umu."

"Sono zashiki no tenjou to kitara, satsumasugi no ichimai ita nande, konna no o mitara, uchi no oyaji wa donna ni yorokobu ka mo shirenai, to omotte, asshi wa mitorete imashita."

"He', omoshiroku mo nee. Sore de, sono tenjou o hazushite demo kuru ki kai."

Kannatarou wa, jibun ga nusubito no deshi de atta koto o omoi dashimashita. Nusubito no deshi to shite wa, amari ki ga kikanakatta koto ga wakari, kannatarou wa BATSU no warui kao o shite utsumuite shimaimashita.

Soko de kannatarou mo, mou ichido yarinaoshi ni mura ni haitte ikimashita.

"Yare yare da."

to, hitori ni natta kashira wa, kusa no naka e aomuke ni hikkuri kaette iimashita.

"Nusubito no kashira to iu no mo angai raku na shoubai dewa nai te."

2

Totsuzen,

"Nusutto da'."

"Nusutto da'."

"Sora, yacchimae'."

to iu, oozei no kodomo no koe ga shimashita. Kodomo no koe demo, kou iu koto o kiite wa, nusubito to shite bikkuri shinai wake niwa ikanai no de, kashira wa hyokon to tobiagarimashita. Soshite, kawa ni tobikonde mukougishi e nigeyou ka, yabu no naka ni mogurikonde, sugata o kuramasou ka, to, tossa no aida ni kangaeta no de arimasu.

Shikashi kodomotachi wa, nawakire ya, omocha no jitte o furimawashi nagara, achira e hashitte ikimashita. Kodomo-tachi wa nusubito gokko o shite ita no deshita.

"Nanda, kodomo-tachi no asobi goto ka."

to kashira wa hariai ga nukete iimashita.

"Asobigoto ni shite mo, nusubito gokko to wa yokunai asobi da. Imadoki no kodomo wa rokunakoto o shinakunatta. Are ja, saki ga omoi yarareru."

Jibun ga nusubito no kuse ni, kashira wa sonna hitorigoto o iinagara, mata kusa no naka ni nekorogarou to shita no de arimashita. Sono toki ushiro kara,

"Ojisan."

to koe o kakeraremashita. Furikaette miru to, nanasai kurai no, kawairashii otoko no ko ga ushi no ko o tsurete tatte imashita. Kaodachi no hin no ii tokoro ya, teashi no shiroi tokoro o miru to, hyakushou no kodomo to wa omowaremasen. Dannashuu no bocchan ga, genan ni tsuite noasobi ni kite, genan ni segande koushi o motasete moratta no ka mo shiremasen. Daga okashii no wa, tooku e demo iku hito no you ni, shiroi chiisai ashi ni, chiisai waraji o haite iru koto deshita.

"Kono ushi, motte ite ne."

Kashira ga nani mo iwanai saki ni, kodomo wa sou itte, tsui to soba ni kite, akai tazuna o kashira no te ni azukemashita.

Kashira wa soko de, nani ka iou to shite kuchi o mogumogu yarimashita ga, mada iidasanai uchini kodomo wa, achira no kodomotachi no ato o otte hashitte itteshimaimashita. Ano kodomotachi no nakama ni naru tame ni, kono waraji o haita kodomo wa ato o mo mizu ni itte shimaimashita.

Boken to shite iru aida ni ushi no ko o motasarete shimatta kashira wa, kukku' to warai nagara ushi no ko o mimashita.

Taitei ushi no ko to iu mono wa, sokora o pyon pyon hanemawatte, motte iru no ga yakkai na mono desu ga, kono ushi no ko wa mata taisou otonashiku, nureta urunda ookina me o shibatataki nagara, kashira no soba ni mushin ni tatte iru no deshita.

"Ku' ku' ku'."

to kashira wa, warai ga hara no naka kara komiagete kuru no ga, tomarimasen deshita.

"Kore de deshi-tachi ni jiman ga dekiru te. Kisamatachi ga bakazura sagete, mura no naka o aruite iru aida ni, washi wa mou ushi no ko o ippiki nusunda, to itte."

Soshite mata, ku' ku' ku' to waraimashita. Anmari waratta no de, kondo wa namida ga dete kimashita.

"Aa, okashii. Anmari waratta n de namida ga dete kiyagatta."

Tokoroga, sono namida ga, nagarete nagarete tomaranai no de arimashita.

"Iya, haya, kore wa dou shita koto dai, washi ga namida o nagasu nante, kore ja, marude naiteru no to onaji ja nai ka."

Sou desu. Hontou ni, nusubito no kashira wa naite ita no de arimasu. Kashira wa ureshikatta no desu. Jibun wa ima made, hito kara tsumetai me de bakari mirarete kimashita. Jibun ga tooru to, hitobito wa sora henna yatsu ga kita to iwan bakari ni, mado o shimetari, sudare o oroshitari shimashita. Jibun ga koe o kakeru to, warai nagara hanashiatte ita hitotachi mo, kyuu ni shigoto no koto o omoidashita you ni mukou o muite shimau no de arimashita. Ike no omote ni ukande iru koi de sae mo, jibun ga kishi ni tatsu to, gabatto karada o hirugaeshite shizunde iku no de arimashita. Aru toki sarumawashi no senaka ni owarete iru saru ni, kaki no mi o kureteyattara, hitokuchi mo tabezu ni jibeta ni sutete shimaimashita. Minna ga jibun o kiratte ita no desu. Minna ga jibun o shin'you shite wa kurenakatta no desu. Tokoroga, kono waraji o haita kodomo wa, nusubito de aru jibun ni ushi no ko o azukete kuremashita. Jibun o ii ningen de aru to omotte kureta no deshita. Mata kono koushi mo, jibun o chittomo iyagarazu, otonashiku shite orimasu. Jibun ga hahaushi de demo aru ka no you ni, soba ni suriyotte imasu. Kodomo mo koushi mo, jibun o shin'you shite iru no desu. Konna koto wa, nusubito no jibun ni wa, hajimete no koto de arimasu. Hito ni shin'you sareru to iu nowa, nan to iu ureshii koto de arimashou.

Soko de, kashira wa ima, utsukushii kokoro ni natte iru no de arimashita. Kodomo no koro niwa sou iu kokoro ni natta koto ga arimashita ga, are kara nagai aida, warui kitanai kokoro de zutto ita no desu. Hisashiburi de kashira wa utsukushii kokoro ni narimashita. Kore wa choudo, akamamire no kitanai kimono o, kyuu ni haregi ni kisekaerareta you ni, kimyou na guai de arimashita.

Kashira no me kara namida ga nagarete tomaranai no wa sou iu wake nano deshita.

Yagate yuugata ni narimashita. Matsuzemi wa nakiyamimashita. Mura kara wa shiroi yuumoya ga hissori to nagaredashite, no no ue ni hirogatte ikimashita. Kodomotachi wa tooku e iki, "Mou iikai." "Maadadayo." to iu koe ga, hoka no mono oto to majiriatte, kikiwake nikuku narimashita.

Kashira wa, mou ano kodomo ga kaette kuru jibun da to omotte matte imashita. Ano kodomo ga kitara, "Oisho." to, nusubito to omowarenu you, kokoro yoku koushi o kaeshite yarou, to kangaete imashita.

Daga, kodomotachi no koe wa, mura no naka e kiete itte shimaimashita. Waraji no kodomo wa kaette kimasen deshita. Mura no ue ni kakatteita tsuki ga, kagami shokunin no migaita bakari no kagami no you ni, hikari hajimemashita. Achira no mori de fukurou ga, futakoe zutsu kugitte naki hajimemashita.

Koushi wa onaka ga suite kita no ka, karada o kashira ni suriyosemashita.

"Datte, shiyouganee yo. Washi kara wa chichi wa denee yo."

Sou itte kashira wa, koushi no buchi no senaka o nadete imashita. Mada me kara namida ga dete imashita.

Soko e yonin no deshi ga issho ni kaette kimashita.

3

"Kashira, tadaima modorimashita. Oya, kono koushi wa dou shita no desu ka. Haha A, yappari kashira wa tada no nusubito ja nai. Oretachi ga mura o saguri ni itte ita aida ni, mou hito shigoto shichatta no da ne."

Kamaemon ga koushi o mite iimashita. Kashira wa namida ni nureta kao o miraremai to shite yoko o muita mama,

"Umu, sou itte kisamatachi ni jiman shiyou to omotte ita n da ga, jitsu wa sou ja nee no da. Kore niwa wake ga aru no da."

to iimashita.

"Oya, kashira, namida ja gozaimasen ka."

to ebinojou ga koe o otoshite kikimashita.

"Kono, namida te mono wa, dehajimeru to deru mon da na."

to itte, kashira wa sode de me o kosurimashita.

"Kashira, yorokonde kudasee, kondo koso wa, oretachi yonin, shikkari nusutto konjou ni natte sagutte mairimashita. Kamaemon wa kin no chagama no aru ie o goken mitodokemasu shi, ebinojou wa, itsutsu no dozou no jou o yoku shirabete, magatta kugi ippon de akerareru koto o tashikamemasu shi, daiku no asshi wa, kono nokogiri de nannaku kireru yajiri(ie) o itsutsu mite kimashita shi, kakubee wa kakubee de mata, ashidabaki de tobikoerareru hei o itsutsu mite kimashita. Kashira, oretachi wa homete itadakitou gozaimasu."

to kannatarou ga ikigonde iimashita. Shikashi kashira wa, sore ni kotaenai de,

"Washi wa kono koushi o azukerareta no da. Tokoro ga, imada ni, torini konai no de yowatte iru tokoro da. Sumanee ga, omaera, tewake shite, azukete itta kodomo o sagashite kurenee ka."

"Kashira, azukatta koushi o kaesu no desu ka."

to kamaemon ga, nomikomenai you na kao de iimashita.

"Sou da."

"Nusubito demo sonna koto o suru no de gozeemasu ka."

"Sore niwa wake ga aru no da. Koredake wa kaesu no da."

"Kashira, motto shikkari nusutto konjou ni natte kudasee yo."

to kannatarou ga iimashita.

Kashira wa nigawarai shinagara, deshitachi ni wake o komakaku hanashite kikasemashita. Wake o kiite mireba, minna niwa kashira no kokoromochi ga yoku wakarimashita.

Sokode deshitachi wa, kondo wa kodomo o sagashi ni iku koto ni narimashita.

"Waraji o haita, kawairashii, nanatsu guree no otokobouzu nan desu ne."

to nen o oshite, yonin no deshi wa chitte ikimashita. Kashira mo, mou jitto shite orenakute, koushi o hiki nagara, sagashi ni ikimashita.

Tsuki no akari ni, noibara to utsugi no shiroi hana ga honoka ni miete iru mura no yoru o, gonin no otona no nusubito ga, ippiki no koushi o hiki nagara, kodomo o sagashite aruite iku no de arimashita.

Kakurenbo no tsuzuki de, mada ano kodomo ga dokoka ni kakurete iru ka mo shirenai to iu no de, nusubito-tachi wa, mimizu no naite iru tsujidou no en no shita ya kaki no ki no ue ya, monooki no naka ya, ii nioi no suru mikan no ki no kage o sagashite mita no deshita. Hito ni kiite mo mita no deshita.

Shikashi, tsuini ano kodomo wa miatarimasen deshita. Hyakushoutachi wa chouchin ni hi o irete kite, koushi o terashite mita no desu ga, konna koushi wa kono atari dewa mita koto ga nai to iu no deshita.

"Kashira, korya yoppite sagashite mo mudarashii, mou yoshimashou."

to ebinojou ga kutabireta you ni, michibata no ishi ni koshi o oroshite iimashita.

"Iya, dou shite mo sagashi dashite, ano kodomo ni kaeshitai no da."

to kashira wa kikimasen deshita.

"Mou, tedate ga arimasen yo. Tada hitotsu nokotteiru tedate wa, murayakunin no tokoro e uttaeru koto da ga, kashira mo masaka asoko e wa ikitaku nai deshou."

to kamaemon ga iimashita. Murayakunin to iu no wa, imade ieba chuuzai junsa no you na mono de arimasu.

"Umu, sou ka."

to kashira wa kangaekomimashita. Soshite shibaraku koushi no atama o nadete imashita ga, yagate,

"Ja, soko e ikou."

to iimashita. Soshite mou arukidashimashita. Deshitachi wa bikkuri shimashita ga, tsuite iku yori shikata ga arimasen deshita.

Tazunete murayakunin no ie e iku to, arawareta no wa, hana no saki ni ochikakaru you ni megane o kaketa roujin deshita no de, nusubito-tachi wa mazu anshin shimashita. Korenara, iza to iu toki ni, tsukitobashite nigete shimaeba ii to omotta kara de arimasu.

Kashira ga, kodomo no koto o hanashite,

"Washira, sono kodomo o miushinatte komatte orimasu."

to iimashita.

Roujin wa gonin no kao o mimawashite,

"Ikkou, kono atari de miukenu hito bakari da ga, dochira kara maitta."

to kikimashita.

"Washira, Edo kara nishi no hou e iku mono desu."

"Masaka nusubito dewa arumai no."

"Iya, tondemonai. Washira wa mina tabi no shokunin desu. Kamashi ya daiku ya joumaeya nado desu."

to kashira wa awatete iimashita.

"Umu, iya, henna koto o itte sumanakatta. Omaetachi wa nusubito dewa nai. Nusubito ga mono o kaesu wake ga nai de no. Nusubito nara, mono o azukareba, koresaiwai to kusunete itte shimau hazu da. Iya, sekkaku yoi kokoro de, sou shite todoke ni kita no o, hen na koto o moushite sumanakatta. Iya, washi wa yakumegara, hito o utagau kuse ni natte iru no ja. Hito o misaesureba, koitsu, katari ja nai ka, suri ja nai ka to omou you na wake sa. Ma, waruku omowanai de kure."

to roujin wa iiwake o shite ayamarimashita. Soshite, koushi wa azukatte oku koto ni shite, genan ni monooki no hou e tsurete ikasemashita.

"Tabi de, minasan otsukare ja ro, washi wa ima ii sake o hitobin nishi no yakata no tarou don kara moratta no de, tsuki o minagara engawa de yarou to shite ita no ja. Ii toko e minasan korareta. Hitotsu tsukiai nasare."

Hito no yoi roujin wa sou itte, gonin no nusubito o engawa ni tsurete ikimashita.

Soko de sake o nomi hajimemashita ga, gonin no nusubito to hitori no murayakunin wa sukkari, kutsuroide, juunen mo mae kara no shiriai no you ni, yukai ni warattari hanashitari shita no de arimashita.

Suru to mata, nusubito no kashira wa jibun no me ga namida o koboshite iru koto ni ki ga tsukimashita. Sore o mita roujin no yakunin wa,

"Omaesan wa naki jougo to mieru. Washi wa warai jougo de, naite iru hito o miru to yokei waraete kuru. Douka waruku omowande kudasare ya, warau kara."

to itte, kuchi o akete warau no deshita.

"Iya, kono, namida to iu yatsu wa, makoto ni tomedonaku deru mono da ne."

to kashira wa, me o shibataki nagara iimashita.

Sore kara gonin no nusubito wa, orei o itte murayakunin no ie o demashita.

Mon o dete, kaki no ki no soba made kuru to, nani ka omoidashita you ni, kashira ga tachidomarimashita.

"Kashira, nani ka wasuremono de mo shimashita ka."

to kannatarou ga kikimashita.

"Umu, wasuremon ga aru. Omaera mo, issho ni mou ippen koi."

to itte, kashira wa deshi o tsurete, mata yakunin no ie ni haitte ikimashita.

"Goroujin."

to kashira wa engawa ni te o tsuite iimashita.

"Nan da ne, shinmiri to. Naki jougo no oku no te ga deru ka na. Hahaha."

to roujin wa waraimashita.

"Washira wa jitsu wa nusubito desu. Washi ga kashira de korera wa deshi desu."

Sore o kiku to roujin wa me o maruku shimashita.

"Iya, bikkuri nasaru no wa gomottomo desu. Washi wa konna koto o hakujou suru tsumori ja arimasen deshita. Shikashi goroujin ga kokoro no yoi okata de, washira o mattou na ningen no you ni shinjite ite kudasaru no o mite wa, washi wa mou goroujin o azamuite iru koto ga dekinaku narimashita."

Sou itte nusubito no kashira wa imamade shite kita warui koto o mina hakujou shite shimaimashita. Soshite oshimai ni,

"Daga, korera wa, kinou washi no deshi ni natta bakari de, mada nani mo warui koto wa shite orimasen. Ojihi de, douzo, korera dake wa yurushite yatte kudasai."

to iimashita.

Tsugi no asa, hananoki-mura kara, kamashi to joumaeya to daiku to kakubeejishi to ga, sorezore betsu no hou e dete ikimashita. Yonin wa utsumukigachi ni, aruite ikimashita. Karera wa kashira no koto o kangaete imashita. Yoi kashira de atta to omotte orimashita. Yoi kashira da kara, saigo ni kashira ga "Nusubito niwa mou kesshite naru na." to itta kotoba o, mamoranakereba naranai to omotte orimashita.

Kakubee wa kawa no fuchi no kusa no naka kara fue o hirotte HYARA HYARA to narashite ikimashita.

4

Koushite gonin no nusubito wa, kaishin shita no deshita ga, sono moto ni natta ano kodomo wa ittai dare datta no deshou. Hananoki mura no hitobito wa, mura o nusubito no nan kara sukutte kureta, sono kodomo o sagashite mita no desu ga, kekkyoku wakaranakute, tsuini wa, kouiu koto ni kimarimashita, sore wa, dobashi no tamoto ni mukashi kara aru chiisai jizou san darou. Waraji o haite ita to iu no ga shouko de aru. Nazenara, dou iu wake ka, kono jizou san niwa murabito-tachi ga yoku waraji o ageru no de, choudo sono hi mo atarashii chiisai waraji ga jizou-san no ashimoto ni agerarete atta no de aru. To iu no deshita.

Jizou-san ga waraji o haite aruita to iu no wa fushigi na koto desu ga, yononaka niwa korekurai no fushigi wa atte mo yoi to omowaremasu. Sore ni, kore wa mou mukashi no koto nano desu kara, dou datte, ii wake desu. Demo kore ga moshi hontou datta to sureba, hananoki-mura no hitobito ga mina kokoro no yoi hitobito datta no de, jizou-san ga nusubito kara sukutte kureta no desu. Sounaraba, mata, mura to iu mono wa, kokoro no yoi hitobito ga sumaneba naranu to iu koto nimo naru no de arimasu.

(2006-9-30)