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This is a story about a cold land in the north, many, many years ago.
Deep in the rugged mountains lay a small village.
In this village an old lumberjack named Mosaku lived with his son, Minokichi,who was also a lumberjack.
It’ll snow, come nightfall.
Yes, pa. Let’s head into the mountains early.
Mosaku and Minokichi lived as lumberjacks, but in the winter when the mountains were covered with snow,
they would go off with their guns to hunt. The two climbed hills and crossed valleys and went deep into the mountain.
But that day, there wasn’t a single pheasant, not a single deer.
Strange! What’s going on here?
Some days are like this, that’s all.
Seeking wild animals, the two went further and further into the mountains.
Suddenly, the sky grew heavy. The wind began to blow, snow fell.
This looks bad. It’s begun to snow. Pa, we’ve got to go home at once!
No, we’re too late. We’ll freeze to death before we get home!
There’s a lumberjacks’ cabin around here someplace. The pair trod mountain paths as the snow fell.
Pa, it’s right over there!
Sure started snowing sooner than I expected. …
The snow will let up tomorrow morning. You should get some rest.
I’ll just stay up a bit and see the fire doesn’t go out. You go ahead and go to sleep.
But in the gentle warmth of the fire, both of them, exhausted by the events of the day, soon fell fast asleep.
That woman!
You are young, the fire of life burns beautifully in you.
I have decided not to take it from you.
However, you must never speak of this to anyone.
The instant you do, your beautiful life will also be – frozen!
Had it all been a dream?
Minokichi was so shocked he lost consciousness. Finally it was morning.
Minokichi awoke to find his father, Mokichi, frozen to death.
Winter passed, spring came, summer passed, then it was autumn.
Minokichi became a most silent man. He lived a lonely, solitary life.
Finally, another winter came, enveloping the mountains in its snowy embrace.
Who’s there, at this hour?
Wait, I’ll open the door.
Standing there in front of him was – an exquisite young woman.
I am a traveler. I have lost my way, I am in some distress. Won’t you give me shelter for just one night?
Faced with the sudden appearance of this beautiful girl,Minokichi’s own face turned red as he let her in to the house.