foolish traveler
March 29, 2008this is the story of the most foolish traveler in the world.
once upon a time, there was a foolish traveler who had gone on a journey. why was he foolish? well, because he was fooled by everyone he met!
everywhere he went, people made up all kinds of sad stories to tell him, and the traveler fell for every one of them.
please, some money for medicine…?
i have a sick younger sister…
i don’t have money to buy seeds to plant in my fields.
pretty soon, his money, his clothes, even his shoes had been cheated away from him.
however, the foolish traveler was always glad to help. for everyone of them, he’ll smile and say, “i wish you happiness.”
but by this point, the traveler was completely naked, and with nothing left to cover himself, he decided to leave the main road and travel through the dense forest, where no one could see him…
soon, he was discovered by the goblins that lived in the woods. the goblins wanted to eat the traveler’s body, so they begged and pleaded, and used kind words to try and trick him…
of course, the traveler was fooled. first, he let the goblins eat one of his legs. then an arm. then more and more…before it was over, all that the traveler had left was his head. he’d even given his eyes away to the last of the goblins…
and as the last goblin was eating the traveler’s eyes, he turned and said “thank you, traveler. in return, i leave you this present.”
what the goblin left was a slip of paper, with the word “fool” written on it. the traveler couldn’t see it. he didn’t know what it was. even so, tears began to flow down his face. “thank you,” he said. “this is the first present anyone ever gave me. i’m so happy. i’m so happy. thank you.”
even without his eyes, he cried and cried great tears of joy. then, the traveler died, with a smile on his face.
and that’s…the end of the story.
i close my eyes and think about him a little bit longer. i think about how he had given everything away, until all he had left was his head…and how at the end, he still cried for joy as he said thank you.
and then i realize…i feel sorry for him.
see? loss, hardship, things like that? you can’t only focus on them. the traveler didn’t…he never thought about his own troubles at all.
i imagine that it probably does sound really foolish to some people. but i don’t think he’s foolish at all. even though other people probably think he was being tricked? i don’t think he was. i think he did exactly what he wanted to do.
i think, more than anything, he just wanted to make others happy.
what do you think? really? is that foolish? when you close your eyes and think about it, is that what it is?
(episode 11, Fruits Basket ~ a rare gem of an anime)
Hi there! This is beautiful. Do you have a Japanese version of this please?
This was taken from the anime Fruits Basket, so it’s in japanese (with english subtitles) =)
it’s so deep…but i don’t really understand how it ties in. I kno that it represents tohru’s kindess..but what does mommiji mean? is he telling them that only stupid ppl would use her in that way?
wow. thats sad. he he.. im no fool fool. its kind of depressing. why would he give hes body away? when the goblins asked if they could eat him i thought he would say sorry. but my body is all i got left.
The fool is symbolism for Tohru-
how she always gives herself up for the sake of others. Kyo calls her a fool for spending all her time and money on them during the past Valentine’s day, and Momiji presents the story as a counterattack. The first time I read it, however, I was unable to make that connection.
…
I’m actually using this monologue of Momiji’s as a reference in a research paper I am writing… what’s truly strange about it is that there is no other record of the story anywhere else; I assume it was made up by Takayaka to serve it’s purpose in the story, but all the same, it makes a valuable point. In a way, it is almost a very Christ-like figure. Perhaps (even indirectly or unintentionally) this is a reference to Tohru’s sacrifice being Holy, even…
This is actually an ancient Buddhist story. I’ve heard a similar story from my parents about how there was a man who had given everything away. So when I heard this story, it sounded familiar.
in the context, Momoji is talking about why Tohru bought everyone chocolates at her own expense. Momoji uses the sotry to show that even though Tohru spent a lot of money she was happy for doing. and not foolish as Kyo had suggested.
The traveller was the same. he gave his life in trying to help people. Momiji said he did not think the traveler was foolish, as he died doing exactly what he wanted to do – helping people. Even if those people were tricking him. the traveler didnt complain about this, and neither does tohru.
One of my most favorite stories ever. It reminds me so much of how I was in public school, even when I knew people were lying. I think about how happy he was before he died, and I think that’s the most important part of the story, was his being happy knowing he’s made others happy, and that was exactly what he wanted to do.
OMG, I love tis story so much & I also like how Momiji felt about the story!~ =D
Haha. Now I see where you get the name: Foolish Traveler.
This story is very similar to Grim’s tale of a girl who gives everything to the people in need, then as she stands on the hill, stars start falling down for her (it’s the “Heaven’s Coins” tale).