"It is also vain for you to wish to become a hermit, or to find the
Elixir of Life. These things are not for such as you--your life is not
austere enough. It is best for you to go back to your paternal home,
and to live a good and industrious life. Never neglect to keep the
anniversaries of your ancestors, and make it your duty to provide for
your children's future. Thus will you live to a good old age and be
happy, but give up the vain desire to escape death, for no man can
do that, and by this time you have surely found out that even when
selfish desires are granted they do not bring happiness.
"In this book I give you there are many precepts good for you to
know--if you study them, you will be guided in the way I have pointed
out to you."
The angel disappeared as soon as he had finished speaking, and Sentaro
took the lesson to heart. With the book in his hand he returned to his
old home, and giving up all his old vain wishes, tried to live a good
and useful life and to observe the lessons taught him in the book, and
he and his house prospered henceforth.
* * * * *
THE ACCOMPLISHED AND LUCKY TEAKETTLE
ADAPTED BY A. B. MITFORD
A long time ago, at a temple called Morinji, in the province of
Jhosiu, there was an old teakettle.
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