A certain prince had many strange treasures. What he didn’t have: the horns of a bearded lion, a fish navel, a tengu fan, and even the loincloth of the thunder god Kaminarisam!
The prince was very proud of his treasures. But the subject of his special pride was the golden rooster. Although it was made of gold, the rooster looked just like a real one. Every day, as soon as it began to get light, he shouted three times: “Crow!”
The greatest pleasure for the prince was from time to time to take out his treasures and examine them. He never tired of admiring the jewelry that particularly pleased him.
The prince had eight main servants, and each of them, as befitted princely servants, also had his own treasure - some rarity of which he was proud.
And then one day the prince called these servants and told them:
“Tell you what: tomorrow evening I’m hosting a treasure viewing.” Come everyone to the castle with your jewelry. The one whose treasure turns out to be the best will receive a generous reward.
The servants rejoiced:
- "Treasure View"! That's interesting!
- I will receive the reward!
- Well, no, I am!
Thus talking, they went home.
It was evening the next day. The prince took out a golden rooster and began to wait for the servants with their rarities.
Soon the first servant appeared. He brought his treasure - the “eye of the dragon”.
The second servant brought a small skull.
“Here is a calf’s skull,” he said smugly. The third servant brought the witch's lantern. The fourth is the stomach of a badger. Fifth - boots for a sparrow. The sixth is the wings and legs of the spinning dove. The seventh is an artificial ear for the deaf.
One after another, seven servants gathered with their wonders and began to wait for the eighth, but he still did not appear.
- Where is he? What happened to him?
- He probably has nothing to show!
“That’s why he didn’t come!” It's a pity, but... While the seven servants were having this conversation, the eighth servant appeared. He bowed respectfully to the prince.
“I’m late, I have no excuse.”
- Then you will apologize. Show me quickly what treasure you brought?
- Yes, yes... Only I don’t have such a treasure that can be called special. I didn’t know what to bring this evening, and I took with me the most ordinary treasure.
- Ho! An ordinary treasure? What else is this? Show me soon!
— I left it in front of the castle gates.
- What are you doing, go get him quickly!
- Yes, yes. Now!
The eighth servant went and immediately returned with his treasure. These were four obedient boys and four pretty girls. The children stood in pairs and bowed politely.
The entire large hall brightened with the radiance of animated children's faces. And the prince’s golden rooster and the wonders of his servants immediately faded.
“Hm-yes...” the prince said, sighing, “in the grandfather himself, this is a wonderful treasure.” Wonderful children! What an ordinary thing, but next to them our rarities and treasures are like garbage. I envy you because you have Japan's first treasure - children. You won. The first award is yours. Congratulations! Congratulations!
The other servants heard the prince’s words, and they felt ashamed. They lowered their heads low and did not raise them for a long time.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru