The Buried Forest Page #2

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But...

But?

You've made me forget with

your interruptions.

Sorry.

But...

the camel started getting

depressed.

He missed so much of the simple

life of sand and sky.

Good one!

Tomie, please go back inside!

I want everyone to know

what's going on.

Fetch them some tea instead of

dithering about there.

What's up here?

- Oh, hello. What a fuss, eh?

Maybe you're making matters worse,

acting like this.

I know I'm sometimes in the wrong, too.

But the way they did it isn't fair.

That's the issue.

Marui.

There was a family meeting.

It was decided, and I can't

go against it.

You could discuss it again.

How?

My daughter and the family already

trooped back to Tokyo.

My son said:

"Show of hands or secret ballot?"

Now I'm being put in an "old home".

What was the vote?

Eight to one for packing me off,

the "one" being me.

I see...

Ah... I'm sorry for the fuss my

mother is causing.

That's okay.

Okay! Now everyone!

Move away from the area.

Cars are passing.

Watch out!

There's a car coming through!

Step back!

This way!

Sorry for dragging you out

- I don't mind.

It's the old woman next door.

I was born way in the mountains.

My mother lived there till

the day she died.

How old was she?

Ninety.

She was alone for 20 years

after Daddy died.

I felt sorry for her.

But she loved the mountains.

She never complained.

"What if you get ill up here?"

I used to say.

"l couldn't be happier if my

time comes here."

That's what she said.

I was... still young.

I couldn't... understand.

How did I ever become such

a weak person?

I feel I can't live if I don't cling

to my son and everyone.

But Tomie-san...

you need help sometimes,

what with your legs...

Never mind that.

It's something to do

with myself.

Tomie-san.

We're making up a kind of story.

Each of us takes turns.

It's my turn next.

Will you listen?

The camel came from a place

where dunes lead to the sea.

Once, a whale washed up and couldn't

get back in the water.

The villagers tried dragging it

with boats.

They dug trenches to make

a path to the ocean.

They tried hard, but couldn't

rescue the whale.

The whale became weaker

and weaker.

By evening, the villagers had

given up.

But one little girl didn't leave.

She stayed and bathed the whale's

eyes with sea water.

Then it was morning.

Some fine specimens here.

They're called gurnards.

With those snouts they

look like dogs!

They're a spring fish.

They live quite deep, but sometimes

get dragged up.

It's the day of the altar gods.

So it is.

Used to be a toss up between the

altar gods and the market...

as to which would disappear.

After all...

they are both still here.

There were more kids when

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