Japanese Fairy Tales | Page 5

man,
however, and putting aside all fear went forward dauntlessly. Crunch, crunch! he stepped
now on the dragon's body, now between its coils, and without even one glance backward
he went on his way.
He had only gone a few steps when he heard some one calling him from behind. On

turning back he was much surprised to see that the monster dragon had entirely
disappeared and in its place was a strange-looking man, who was bowing most
ceremoniously to the ground. His red hair streamed over his shoulders and was
surmounted by a crown in the shape of a dragon's head, and his sea-green dress was
patterned with shells. Hidesato knew at once that this was no ordinary mortal and he
wondered much at the strange occurrence. Where had the dragon gone in such a short
space of time? Or had it transformed itself into this man, and what did the whole thing
mean? While these thoughts passed through his mind he had come up to the man on the
bridge and now addressed him:
"Was it you that called me just now?"
"Yes, it was I," answered the man: "I have an earnest request to make to you. Do you
think you can grant it to me?"
"If it is in my power to do so I will," answered Hidesato, "but first tell me who you are?"
"I am the Dragon King of the Lake, and my home is in these waters just under this
bridge."
"And what is it you have to ask of me!" said Hidesato.
"I want you to kill my mortal enemy the centipede, who lives on the mountain beyond,"
and the Dragon King pointed to a high peak on the opposite shore of the lake.
"I have lived now for many years in this lake and I have a large family of children and
grand-children. For some time past we have lived in terror, for a monster centipede has
discovered our home, and night after night it comes and carries off one of my family. I
am powerless to save them. If it goes on much longer like this, not only shall I lose all my
children, but I myself must fall a victim to the monster. I am, therefore, very unhappy,
and in my extremity I determined to ask the help of a human being. For many days with
this intention I have waited on the bridge in the shape of the horrible serpent-dragon that
you saw, in the hope that some strong brave man would come along. But all who came
this way, as soon as they saw me were terrified and ran away as fast as they could. You
are the first man I have found able to look at me without fear, so I knew at once that you
were a man of great courage. I beg you to have pity upon me. Will you not help me and
kill my enemy the centipede?"
Hidesato felt very sorry for the Dragon King on hearing his story, and readily promised to
do what he could to help him. The warrior asked where the centipede lived, so that he
might attack the creature at once. The Dragon King replied that its home was on the
mountain Mikami, but that as it came every night at a certain hour to the palace of the
lake, it would be better to wait till then. So Hidesato was conducted to the palace of the
Dragon King, under the bridge. Strange to say, as he followed his host downwards the
waters parted to let them pass, and his clothes did not even feel damp as he passed
through the flood. Never had Hidesato seen anything so beautiful as this palace built of
white marble beneath the lake. He had often heard of the Sea King's palace at the bottom
of the sea, where all the servants and retainers were salt-water fishes, but here was a

magnificent building in the heart of Lake Biwa. The dainty goldfishes, red carp, and
silvery trout, waited upon the Dragon King and his guest.
Hidesato was astonished at the feast that was spread for him. The dishes were crystallized
lotus leaves and flowers, and the chopsticks were of the rarest ebony. As soon as they sat
down, the sliding doors opened and ten lovely goldfish dancers came out, and behind
them followed ten red-carp musicians with the koto and the samisen. Thus the hours flew
by till midnight, and the beautiful music and dancing had banished all thoughts of the
centipede. The Dragon King was about to pledge the warrior in a fresh cup of wine when
the palace was suddenly shaken by a tramp, tramp! as if a mighty army had begun to
march not far away.
Hidesato and his host