🦊と🐌

蘭子と守, いっしょに！

[momijiduet]

Hi👋

はじめまして！元気ですか。

[momijiduet]

[momijiduet]

[momijiduet]

[momijiduet]

[momijiduet]

[momijiduet]

[momijiduet]

Ojiisan Walks Nippori

I hope she likes me, I think as I begin down the stairs to the street.

You see, I am on my way to meet a lady. She helps me package my groceries, and we always chat a little when she does that. Her name is Kino.

Yesterday, I asked her: would you like to get coffee with me at Gasuto some time? I think she was surprised when I asked that, but she said, yes, we can have coffee tomorrow at 10:00.

And so this morning, I am on my way to meet Kino at Gasuto!

As I walk, I listen to the sounds of Nippori.

Every day, people from all over the world come to Nippori. No doubt this very morning people are arriving at Nippori Station in order to meet someone, just like I am doing. I wonder what we'll talk about?

And then I panic a little because I realize that my revery has caused my walk to slow down. What if I am late?! I call out, sumimasen, but no one seems to hear me. I call out louder, sumimasen!

A stranger calls to me and I feel the strength in his hand. Please, will you lead me to Momiji Bridge?

He leads me across the street.

After we cross the street the stranger offers to help me up the stairs, but I thank him and tell him that I don't need any more help; I know just how many stairs there are to Gasto. Will she be there, like she promised?

I wonder what we'll talk about?

[momijiduet]

The Forgotten

Mamoru: Ranko, there are many prisoners everywhere. It seems that there are too many. 

Yes. 😔

I want to help but I don’t know how. 

It’s difficult to know what to do for many problems. But I think the most important step is the first one: to admit that there is a problem. 

[momijiduet]

Eggs

Mamoru: Ranko, I had a dream. I wanted to talk, but my throat was blocked. Something was stuck. 

When I opened my mouth, an egg rose up and rested on my tongue. You took it and placed it in a basket. 

What do you think it means?

Ranko: I think you have something to say, but you’re afraid. I will help you. 

[momijiduet]

A Snail's Purpose

Mamoru: I am a failure.

Ranko: Why do you say that?

Mamoru: I have accomplished nothing in life. 

Ranko: You maintain a beautiful garden.

Mamoru: So what? My garden will not save the world. 

Ranko: That's true. However, it is beautiful.

[momijiduet]

Grieving for Youth

Ranko: I used to be so fast. No other fox could catch me. I grieve the loss of that speed. 

Mamoru: I bet you would have run right past me then. I’m grateful for your slowness. It allowed you to notice me. 

[momijiduet]

Lettuce

Ranko: Today, I was criticized for buying so much lettuce. Foxes don’t eat lettuce, everyone said. 

Mamoru: Did you tell them that it was for me?

Ranko: Yes, but they only laughed at me harder. 

Mamoru: What did you say then?

Ranko: Nothing. I only felt sorry that them. Until they open their hearts they will never know what it is to love a snail. 

[momijiduet]

Expertise

Mamoru: When do I start being good at life?

Ranko: I think it happens when you stop caring about that. 

[momijiduet]

The Art of Being

[Ranko enters the home after dark.]

Mamoru: Ranko, where have you been all day? 

Ranko: I was on the porch all day. 

Mamoru: Really? What were doing all that time? 

Ranko: I was living my life. 

[momijiduet]

What's Ugly

Mamoru: When we met I thought you I wouldn’t be attracted to me because I was very sad. 

Ranko: Sadness isn’t unattractive. In fact, there is a kind of beauty in it because it comes from connection to your feelings. 

What’s ugly is hopelessness. 

[momijiduet]

The Change

Mamoru: Something changed when I met you.

Ranko: Oh Mamoru, nothing changed. The sun came out that day just as it always does. 

Mamoru: Yes, but what changed is that I noticed it.