Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/125

Rh Japan Sea. Then he suddenly thought of the valuable business he had left behind. Why hadn't he sold it, and taken the proceeds with him?

As soon as this thought came to him a storm came on. It rained hard, and of course the paper bird became wet, and being paper, it crumpled up and fell into the sea.

Now he was in danger of being drowned, and he was afraid. Not long ago he would have welcomed death. He called aloud to Jofuku to save him, but there was no reply.

He swam and swam, doing his best to keep from sinking. Then right in front of him he saw a huge fish, its mouth wide open, ready to devour him.

In his fright he screamed so loudly for Jofuku to save him that he awakened himself. For, behold, he had fallen asleep during his long prayers before the shrine, and all of this had come to him in a dream.

Then he heard a voice, and before him stood a messenger, who said:

"As you have prayed, so has Jofuku permitted you in a dream to see the land of Continual Life. You were not contented