Week 6 Storytelling: Jealousy

Jealousy 

Once upon a time there was a princess named Kono whose beauty was known far and wide. Many compared her beauty to that of the delicate petals of the cherry blossom. She had many suitors, but none excited her and she spent her days wandering about the garden and dreaming that one day she would find true love. 

One day, while Kono was out wading in the river, she came upon the most handsome man she'd ever seen. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a strong jaw. Power and masculinity seemed to emanate from his body. She was immediately entranced and she stared at him as he walked along the riverbank. 

Unbeknownst to Kono, the man had seen her too. He immediately rushed up to her. 

"I am so sorry to disturb you, but you have to be the most beautiful creature I've ever seen. What is your name?" He asked eagerly.

"Kono," she replied, blushing but excited, "And who might you be?"

"My name is Nigo."

The two talked for what seemed like forever and a whirlwind romance began. The two spent all of their time together, laughing, sneaking kisses, and watching the river flow gently by. It wasn't long before they knew they wanted to be together forever. Nigo, being the traditional man he is, decided to pay Kono's father a visit to ask for her hand in marriage. 

After much discussion, arguing, and some serious sister drama Kono's father finally agreed to the marriage of Kono and Nigo. Nigo rushed home. He burst through the door, picked up his future wife, and spun her around while kissing her. Once the his excitement had been pushed down enough for him to talk, Nigo told Kono of her father's approval. She squealed joyously and jumped back into Nigo's arms. Marriage plans began and it wasn't long before the two lovers were married in a beautiful ceremony full of love and devotion. 

The two made a home for themselves and spent many years in marital bliss before deciding to expand their little family of two. The two tried and tried, initially finding it difficult to conceive before they were blessed with two beautiful boys. Kono glowed with motherly warmth and was a wonderful mother to the boys. As for Nigo? He couldn't be prouder. I loved his sons with all of his heart and spent

Everything was perfect, but it didn't stay that way for long. One day, a man named Sun-Win saw Kono, Nigo, and their boys as they were navigating the stalls at the local market. Nigo and the boys ventured away from Kono to look at the swords while she continued shopping for the week's groceries. Sun-Win watched her peruse the fruit for what seemed like forever. He was entranced by her beauty and immediately took an interest in this mysterious woman. Sun-Win approached Kono, pretending to be interested in the same piece of fruit and touching her hand when they both went for it. She apologized and he laughed before asking if she would like to accompany him for a stroll through the nearby garden. After all, the fruit would still be there when she got back, he suggested. She politely declined but thanked him and went back to her shopping. Sun-Win understood and left Kono to her business. Nothing wrong happened, but Nigo didn't know that. He'd seen a man approach his wife, talk to her, and make her smile before leaving looking as if nothing bad had happened.

Jealousy consumed Nigo and he became hateful towards his wife. He was suspicious of her every move and of her motives. Constantly, he accused her of cheating on him and constantly she denied it because she would never do that to him. It didn't matter what she or the boys said, he could not believe them. So, after weeks of his wife and kids walking on eggshells around him, Nigo's jealousy finally came to a head and erupted in him disowning his children for obviously the were not his, but the man from the market's sons. 

Kono was devestated, how could he do this to her? To his sons? They had been nothing but loyal and devoted to Nigo! She cried angrily and pounded her fists on the ground wondering what she was going to do. 

Then suddenly, and idea popped into her head and she prayed to her grandmother-in-law, Ameratsu, the goddess of the sun and universe. She pleaded with the goddess to help her and her sons. She demanded a trial by fire to prove her innocence. Kono then proceeded to light a large fire and gather her family around her. 

"Please, all-powerful goddess, if my sons are truly those of Nigo, let the fire not harm them." 

Kono then instructed her husband to stand on the other side of the fire. He took his place and soon became very nervous. He didn't believe that Kono had been faithful, but that didn't mean he wanted these two boys to be burned to death! He fidgeted, wringing his hands as Kono instructed the boys to walk to their daddy on the other side of the fire. Both boys ran into the fire and Nigo flinched, closing his eyes before opening them just in time to see his two sons run unharmed through the fire. They leapt into his arms and he showered them with kisses, holding them tight against his chest. 

Nigo put the boys down and ran to his wife. He dropped to his knees and begged for her forgiveness. He realized he had wronged her and had no reason to distrust her. Shame filled his mind and tears flowed from his eyes as he pleaded with her to give him another chance. Nigo promised to never doubt her again and Kono let him feel the guilt he so rightfully deserved for a little while before reaching down to grab his hand. He stood up and she forgave him. The two were once again reunited as a loving couple and their family was once again whole. 

The End

Author's Note:
This week I was really inspired by the story of Princess Tree-Blossom found in the second part of The Heaven Descended from the Japanese Mythology unit from the un-textbook. The story of Ninigi going to the father of Princess Tree-Blossom and choosing to only be with her (when her father gives him both her and her sister) was wonderful. But then, an Earth spirit- the spirit of the Summer Wind, becomes infatuated with the princess and this sparks jealousy in Ninigi. Even though she gives him no reason to be suspicious or doubt her loyalty, he begins to think she cheated on him and that his sons are not actually his. As such, he disowns them, crushing his wife. She calls for a trial by fire and proves that the children are, in fact, his sons and that she has been truthful and faithful the entire time. Nigini admits fault and drops to his knees to beg the princess for forgiveness. I wanted this to feel like a folktale that could be told to children, but tried to write it for an older age group.

Image Information:

1. Cherry Blossom by Chinno, found on DeviantArt
2. Tatsuko Princess by Yumiko Nolan, found on his website portfolio
3. Japanese bride and groom, found on Nepali Austrailia
4. Hexagon shaped, Japanese wedding cake decorated with cherry blossoms and a Japanese bride and groom wedding cake topper by Karen Lindsay, found on Flickr
5. Guy Drawing by Phraisohn, found on DeviantArt
6. Jealousy Consumes, found on Blondie Babs's blog: Blonde Girl Chronicles
7. Crying by Tawna-Dawn-art on DeviantArt
8. Ameratsu by Stephanie Kao, found on her Store Envy
9. Bonfire Flames by He Who Laughs Last, found on Wikimedia Commons
10. Please! I'm Begging You! found on Tando

Bibliography:
Romance of Old Japan, Part I: Mythology and Legend by E. W. Champney and F. Champney (1917).