Once in a certain village of Japan, a beautiful willow tree stood near the centre. People loved the tree and admired it for its beauty and strength. A young farmer named Heitaro lived with his family near this tree. Every morning when he woke up, he saw the tree from his bedroom window. One day, an old man of the village came to Heitaro and told him that the villagers wanted to build a bridge over the river. They wanted to cut down the willow tree for timber. “For timber?” said Heitaro, sadly. “My dear willow tree for a bridge? Never, never!” Heitaro was in a shock. When he recovered himself, he offered to give some of his own trees, if the old man and the villagers would accept them for timber and spare the willow tree. The old man accepted this offer. The willow tree was saved.
Heitaro and the Stranger
Heitaro thanked the villagers. Now, he began visiting the willow tree every morning and every night to pray. One night, he stood below the branches of the willow tree and thanked gods that the tree was spared. While praying, he saw something moving. He went closer and saw a beautiful woman standing there. He walked up to her and bowed. He asked her if she was waiting for someone. “He will not come,” she said, smiling sweetly at him and then she disappeared. The next night, he saw that woman again. This time, she came forward and greeted him. The next night they met again. Night after night they met under the old willow tree. The young woman told Heitaro that her name was Kaori. But when he began asking her more questions, she stopped him. “Ask me nothing more about my family,” she said. Heitaro thought that she was shy, and asked her nothing more.
The Marriage
The next night they met again. Soon they fell in love with each other. One night, Heitaro asked her, “Will you marry me?” “I will but you will not ask me any questions. I have no family,” said Kaori. Heitaro and Kaori were married and the following year they were blessed with a child. They were the happiest people in Japan. The years passed by. One day, great news came to the village. The ex-Emperor Toba wished to build a temple in the honour of Kwannon, the goddess of mercy. He needed timber from every village. The villagers said that they must contribute by presenting their great willow tree. Heitaro was in a great shock when he heard this. Heitaro argued a lot to give other trees instead of the willow tree but the elders of the village did not agree with him.
The Willow Wife
One night, when Heitaro, his wife and their child were sleeping, Heitaro was suddenly awakened by the sound of axes chopping. To his surprise, he found his wife sitting up, looking seriously at him. The tears rolled down her cheeks. She whispered into Heitaro’s ear, “My hair is falling from my body.” “What do you mean?” Heitaro asked. The next moment, she fell to the ground. She was trembling and he could do nothing to help her. Suddenly, there was a loud crash outside. In that instant, his wife disappeared. “Where are you, Kaori?” he cried. What was left was only a branch of golden willow leaves. She was the soul of the willow tree! Heitaro and his daughter mourned deeply. Willow Wife had gone!
