The Love of a Silver Fox: Folk Tales from Seki CIty Page 3

  Part Two: DRAWING KOHKICHI'S FACE

  Sayo came to Kohkichi's house every day. But she didn't tell her mother and father. She told them she was looking for firewood. Kohkichi and Sayo worked very hard. Kohkichi made a mask of Sayo's face and Sayo drew a picture of Kohkichi.

  It took a long time. Sayo's mother began to worry about why she was never home. One day, she decided to talk to her.

  "Sayo," she said. "You don't have to go look for firewood today. Stay home. I'll teach you how to sew."

  "It's okay, Mom," Sayo said. "I want to go. I like looking for firewood. I don't like to sew." If she stayed home, she couldn't go to Kohkichi's house.

  "No," her mother said. "You have to learn how to sew. It will be time for you to marry soon."

  Marry! Sayo was shocked. She didn't want to marry anyone. Only Kohkichi. But his mask wasn't finished yet. They needed more time.

  "Mom," she said. "I saw a pretty white flower by the river yesterday. I want to give it to you. May I go? Just today?

  "Okay," said her Mom. She liked flowers.

  But Sayo didn't go to the river. She ran to Kohkichi's house.

  "We have to finish the mask today," she told him. "My mom said today is the last day I can go out."

  "Today!" Kohkichi said. "We can't finish today. I need more time."

  "Oh," Sayo said. She looked like she was going to cry. So Kohkichi became very sad.

  "Okay," he said. "I'll try. I'll try and finish today. Maybe I can do it."

  They worked all day. Kohkichi made a mask of Sayo and Sayo drew a picture of Kohkichi's face. Finally, they were finished. It was already dark.

  "Kohkichi?" Sayo asked. "Will you do something for me?"

  "What?"

  Sayo gave her picture to Kohkichi. "I can't come to your house for a long time. This is a picture of your face. Will you make a mask of it for me? I'll come back in December."

  "Okay. If I make the best mask, let's marry," Kohkichi said. He was so happy.

  "I have to go," Sayo said. Her face was very red. "My mom's waiting. I'll see you in December. Goodbye."

  "Goodbye," Kohkichi said. But he had a bad feeling. He felt he would never see her again.