The Magic Ear
Long ago in Japan, a comely youth lived. One day, as he was walking on the seashore, he spotted a fish out of water, flipping about frantically on the beach. Touched by its dire condition, he picked it up and returned it to the sea, then started to walk away.
The Sea King’s Daughter
Just then, he heard someone hailing him. Turning around, he saw a beautiful girl standing in the foam and beckoning to him. As he stood there, undecided, she called out again, “Don’t go. Stop.” He stood still. The lovely lass then revealed, “Know that I am the daughter of the Sea King. Today, you saved my life. Therefore, I wish to take you to my kingdom under the sea.”
The Magic Ear
Taken by surprise, the youth agreed, and soon after, found himself traversing the deep sea paths. The princess transformed into a large fish and carried him on her back. As they moved through the waters, she disclosed, “Dear friend, the Sea King will wish to reward you. Ask for the Magic Ear, and he will grant it. If you keep it close to your ear, you will be able to understand the language of all the animals in the world.”
The Sea King’s Promise
Arriving at the Undersea Palace of the Fishes, the Sea King was delighted to hear from his daughter how a mortal had saved her precious life. Turning to the youth, he offered him a reward for his valor. Conforming to the princess’s advice, the youth promptly asked for the Magic Ear. Surprised by the peculiar request, the Sea King nonetheless granted the wish, staying true to his promise.
The Magic Ear in Action
After the mermaid princess brought the youth back to the surface and returned to the sea, the youth strolled to a tree where two sparrows chittered. Deciding to test the Magic Ear, he held it close to his ears and began to understand their conversation. The sparrows discussed the unknown riches around them, leading the youth to discover a hidden treasure.
The Mysterious Illness
Continuing his journey, he overheard the conversation of two crows about the landlord’s daughter suffering from an inexplicable illness and the hidden cause. Armed with this knowledge, the youth approached the landlord and promised him a cure for his daughter. With the help of the Magic Ear, he traced the cause to a tiny snake trapped in the thatched roof of the landlord’s house. Once the snake was freed, the girl miraculously recovered.
A Rewarding Ending
The landlord, overjoyed at his daughter’s recovery, chose to reward the youth in a fulfilling way, by marrying him to his daughter. The young man enjoyed a happy life henceforth, his good deeds rewarded in ways that he could never have imagined.