‘Only the Gods and the Buddhas know how and where we shall meet. But I am sure—very, very sure—that, if you be not unwilling to receive me, I shall be able to come back to you’
Then it was that the gods, fearful for their safety and for the life of every beautiful thing, assembled on the bed of the tranquil River of Heaven whose waters had been dried up.
And then, the wonderful thing happened. A hairy head, with two bright eyes, looked out of the spout. The lid jumped up and down. Four brown and hairy paws appeared, and a fine bushy tail.
It was winter and the house was cold and dark. There was no wood, no light, no food; and they were starving.
The boy, Minokichi, lay awake a long time, listening to the awful wind, and the continual slashing of the snow against the door.