The Boy With Strange Eyes

12 - Goodbye, Mister Ryoshi - Part One

Goodbye, Mister Ryoshi – Part One

~ Those who chase two hares won't even catch one. ~

This night marks the first time that Kimyo and Mizuko had a terrible disagreement- or any disagreement. Kimyo barely slept the night before his last day of work at the nets. The young man had managed to save a few scarce island coins and needed the work and the money.

     🐉~ But Kimyo-I thought you wanted to be a scholar ~

"I still do Mizuko, but I can do both this way. I can be a scholar and a warrior. Can't you see how perfect this is?" Kimyo spoke in an excited voice.

     🐉 ~ What about Mister Ryoshi, Kimyo? What will you say to him? He has been very kind to you. ~

For the first time that evening, the boy seemed hesitant. "Of course, I am very grateful to Mister Ryoshi. I plan on telling him so. He is a good man!"

      🐉 ~ Is Mister Ryoshi the manner of a man you wish to become Kimyo? ~

The youth sat quietly for several moments with a stunned look on his face. Finally, Kimyo answered Mizuko's question, "Why yes, I think...yes, he is the manner of a man I wish to become. Mister Ryoshi treats everyone equally and fairly. He is kind to children and women. He never hits. Mr. Ryoshi doesn't judge people by their looks or station in life.

I have seen him do many kind acts, never for credit or to make himself look good. Just kindness for the sake of being kind." Kimyo finished his impromptu speech.

      🐉~ Don't you think Mister Ryoshi deserves to hear this from you?~

Kimyo seemed uncomfortable with the idea. "Mizuko, men don't just say things like that- to each other." He blurted out.

     🐉~ Would the manner of a man you wish to become- say such things- to another man? ~

"That's not fair, Mizuko. I am not a full-grown man yet!" Kimyo snapped harshly. After a few moments of silence, he spoke much softer. "I'm sorry, Mizuko. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that." 

Silence... "Mizuko?" Silence... The Water Spirit spoke no more to him.

Kimyo tossed and turned all night long. In his troubled mind, the boy kept practicing between- thank you speeches to Mister Ryoshi- and apology speeches to Mizuko. Was it a mistake to want both careers? To be both a scholar and a warrior? 

He recalled a famous saying of the Eastern Island, "Those who chase two hares won't even catch one."

The following day, Kimyo reported for work at Ryoshi's net business as usual. Everyone at the Nets was staring openly at him, the men and boys, including the few older women, mostly widows responsible for deliveries. Several young boys had been part of the circle around the Choosing fire. 

Tomodachi, the first boy to treat him kindly and congratulate him, raced to a spot next to him with a broad grin. "Gosh, Kimyo, if I knew that reading and writing would have turned out to be so important, I might have studied harder," said Tomo flatly. 

Then the always-present big grin returned to his happy round face, "No, I wouldn't. I hate working with numbers, yuck." Tomo laughed at his attempted joke and spoke in a rush, "Look, Kimyo, I just wanted to tell you- that you deserve this. You are a hard worker. I hope you are a great success. That's it, truly. Now, I better return to the Nets before I am missed."

Tomo left as quickly as he had arrived. Throughout the day, every member of the hard-working employees of the Ryoshi fishing nets found a moment to approach Kimyo and personally congratulate him. As it grew later in the day and the sun began to dip toward the ocean horizon, Kimyo felt nervous. He couldn't afford to be late when reporting to Master Masuta at sunset.

Kimyo needed to find the opportunity to speak to Mister Ryoshi before the work day ended. The young man was debating what to do when he heard Mister Ryoshi's familiar voice calling for the end of the workday.

Kimyo wondered to himself, "What has happened? It must be three or four hours before it becomes too dark to continue working safely. Why is Ryoshi halting the work? Had there been an accident?"

The work had been stopped for several minutes. Typically, everyone would rush home and run off in different directions. Instead, all the net-workers were standing, waiting patiently for what? The workers gazed to his right, so Kimyo looked in the same direction towards Mister Ryoshi's home. 

Ryoshi stood in front of his home, waving over everyone to come to him. Almost in unison, everyone began to walk toward the fisherman.

As Kimyo approached, he saw many wooden tables covered with food and drink. Some tables have serving plates of food and eating and drinking utensils. He saw a much smaller table with a wooden sign or placard to one side. 

The placard had island lettering, which read -FOR KIMYO-. 

The little table was heaped with packages. Packages wrapped in old cloths and kerchiefs, some in very bright colors, some obviously store-bought. Kimyo felt his throat tighten, and his eyes began to water. 

The boy thought, "For me? Have they done all of this for me?..

END

Questions you might consider:

Do you think Kimyo is happy working at the Nets?

Has he made friends?

Is he making a mistake chasing his dreams of becoming a warrior?

What would you do in his position?

Making changes in your life is always hard. Kimyo tells Mizuko that men don't tell other men how they feel about each other. Do you think this is true?

Should men be more open about their feelings?