Zenkai, the son of a samurai, went to Edo and here became close to a high-ranking official. He fell in love with the official's wife and was discovered. In defense, he killed the official and then fled with his wife. Later they both became thieves. But the woman turned out to be so greedy that Zenkai became disgusted with her. Finally, leaving her, he went far away to the province of Budzen, where he became a beggar-tramp.
To atone for his past, Zenkai decided to do some good deed in life. He learned that there was a dangerous road through the abyss, threatening death or injury to many people, and decided to dig a tunnel through the mountains.
Begging for food during the day, Zenkai dug a tunnel at night. When 30 years had passed, the tunnel was 280 feet long, 20 feet high and 30 feet wide.
Two years before the end of the work, the son of the murdered official found Zenkai and came to kill him so that revenge could be achieved.
“I will willingly give you my life,” said Zenkai. - Let me just finish this job. The day it's finished, you can kill me.
The son waited a day or two. But several months passed, and Zenkai continued to dig.
The son was tired of idleness and began to help him dig. After helping him for more than a year, he began to admire Zenkai's will and character.
Finally, the tunnel was ready and people could use it and travel safely.
“Now cut off my head,” said Zenkai. - My work is finished.
“How can I cut off my teacher’s head?” - asked the young man with tears in his eyes.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru