In Japan the legend of the fisherman and the turtle is told, a story that teaches us to value moments of happiness.
Last update: February 21, 2019
Legends are stories that are passed down over time in order to entertain, but also to teach values ​​and life lessons. They awaken emotions and make you reflect on daily life. The Japanese legend of the fisherman and the turtle is one example.
Despite being a short story, the message of this Japanese legend comes loud and clear. It invites us to question the rhythm of our lives, the things we dedicate our time to and, above all, the importance of our decisions and actions. We hope you like it!
The fisherman and the turtle, Japanese legend to reflect
A long time ago a humble fisherman, whose name was Urashima, lived in a small coastal village. One day, returning from a long day of fishing, he noticed a group of children on the beach abusing a turtle. Without hesitation, he went to scold them and to make sure they released her, he paid them with coins.
As soon as the animal was released, Urashima helped him get back to the sea. The next day, while he was fishing in the open sea, he heard a voice calling his name. As he tried to figure out where this voice was coming from, she realized it was that of the turtle he had released the day before.
She told him that she was the servant of the queen of the seas, who lived in the Dragon Palace and that he had been invited to go there to receive the right recognition for his action. Then, the fisherman climbed onto the turtle's back and set off towards the seabed, until they reached the queen's abode.
Once you arrive at your destination, the fisherman was amazed by the sumptuousness of the palace and the extraordinary beauty of the queen, who welcomed him and filled him with attention. But after three days of stay, the fisherman communicated to the queen his desire to return home, because she had dreamed that her parents, now elderly, needed him.
The Japanese legend continues ...
The queen made no objection to the fisherman's return, but before letting him go, she gave him a box covered with set pearls. Also, she gave him an important warning: she wouldn't have to open the box for anything in order to be happy.
Once he emerged from the surface, Urashima made his way home. As he got closer to home, the surprise increased, as he did not recognize his village. In fact, once he got to the place that should have been his home, he found other buildings and when he asked the locals about his parents, no one knew who he was talking about.
When he said his name, one particularly elderly person reported that he had heard as a child a story about a fisherman who was named after him and who had disappeared into the sea. But the peculiarity is that all this had happened about a hundred years ago, although only three days had passed for Urashima.
Alone, sad and desperate, he returned towards the sea. It was then that He remembered the box that the queen had given him: if he had opened it, perhaps he could have returned to the Dragon Palace. When he opened it, white smoke escaped from inside.
Suddenly Urashima began to age with every step he took. Her face filled with wrinkles and her body grew heavier and heavier as her hair turned completely white. It was at that moment that he realized what the box contained: the years that had passed while he was in the palace and who returned to his body. The next day, Urashima's body was found on the beach.
Moral of the Japanese legend of the fisherman and the turtle
The Japanese legend of the fisherman and the turtle invites us to reflect on the quality of our time and our actions. As well as on the importance of being aware of the consequences of our choices.
Often when we are well or happy, we feel that time passes much faster. The point is ndo not lose orientation and always keep in mind what matters: the people around us and what we want to do with our life. Because we must not confuse pleasure and desire with well-being, nor the momentary enjoyment that satisfies our needs with the satisfaction that comes from commitment and sacrifice.
Nor can we overlook the consequences of our decisions and actions. Every action has consequences, be they positive or negative. The legend of the fisherman and the turtle exemplifies this concept very well when Urashima opens the box despite being discouraged from doing so.
The best life is not the longest, but the richest in good deeds.
-Marie Curie-
This Japanese legend leaves us important life lessons that invite us to reflect and that can be useful in our daily life.
