Japanese Story from a book titled The Most Foolish People in the World


"The Most Foolish Traveler in the World"

A foolish traveler was on a journey. He was stupid because he was easily tricked. The townspeople took advantage of him. On that journey, he was tricked into giving away all his money, clothes and shoes. But the traveler was so foolish that when the townspeople lied to him saying, "This will really help," tears would stream down from his face and he would say, "Please be happy." When he gave away his last belonging he was naked and ashamed to be seen. So he decided to travel in the forest. Then he met the monsters and demons that lived in the forest. They wanted to eat him so they tricked him with clever words. Of course the traveler was fooled and when the monsters and demons asked, he gave up his arms and his legs. Eventually the traveler was nothing but a head. He even gave his eyes to the last monster he met. As the monster munched on his eyes he said, "Thank you. I'll give you this in return," and left him. But that was a lie too. His gift was a single piece of paper with the word 'fool' written on it. The traveler could not see what the gift was but the traveler cried and cried saying, "Thank you! Thank you! This is the first time anyone's given me anything. I'm so happy! Thank you! Thank you!" And tears kept flowing from his eye sockets. And while he was crying...he died.

When I think about this story I can't help but think that I don't believe he was foolish at all. In my eyes the traveler was never fooled he did exactly what he wanted to do. He was helping people trying to give them happiness. Is there something wrong with wanting people to be happy? I don't think there's anything wrong or foolish about it.

When I think about the traveler, I think of how lucky he was. Pain, suffering, loss... it's pointless to think aout them the traveler didn't think about them. And that may seem stupid to some people but not to me. I won't trick anyone, even if other people think that person deserves it. I just want to make people happy.

Unknown "Angel" Playful - 16 years, 10 months, 19 days ago