There was
once a very lazy boy. And when everybody else had planted out his paddy, he was
only setting forth to plough. But the old man of the season, seeing him, said
"The season has gone; what are you ploughing for now? The paddy is all
planted out, and it is late." But the boy would not listen to him, and
ploughed sturdily ahead, beating his cattle soundly as he went. And when the
old man again and again questioned him, he cried "What sort of an old man
is this? Can not he see that I am busy? I know very well what I am about."
But the old man said gently "Nay, my son: but it is for your good that I
would speak to you." And the boy said "Speak quickly then, and have
done with it." And the old man said "My son, the season is gone, what
avails it to plough now?" And then the boy cried "Where has it gone?
And when has it gone? And why has it gone? And how shall I find it?" But the
old man of the season said "You should have ploughed when others did. The
season has gone, and no man can bring it back." But the boy said "I
must bring it back, else, how shall I eat, and how shall I live? Do tell me
where it is gone." And as he would not let the god go, finally, losing
patience, he said "You go over there, and you will find an old man with a
snow-white head ploughing in a field. You get hold of him and do as he tells
you." So saying, he made his escape. Then the lad hastened home to his
mother and bade her cook supper quickly, and tie him up some rice to take with
him on the morrow, for he was going to bring back the departed season for
ploughing.
"For"
said he "when I was ploughing today, an old man told me that the season
was gone, and that if I went after him and pursued him I would find him, and
that I must do as he would tell me." So she rose very early in the
morning, and giving him to eat and drink, set him on his way. And as he went,
he asked all he met "Can you tell me where the old man of the season has
gone?" But they said "Everyone knows that the season is gone, but
where it has gone, or why it has gone, who can say?" At last, when he was
nearly in despair, he saw an old man ploughing afar off, and shouted to him
"Stay a moment, father, stay; I want to ask you a question." But the
old man was busy, and went his ways. But the lad pursued him and never ceased
calling after him till at last the old man, losing patience, turned upon him,
and said "What pertinacious noisy lad is this, who won't leave me
alone?" But the lad said "Do not be angry, my father, I am fallen into
great trouble, and it behoves you to help me." "Speak quickly,
then," said the old man. And the boy said "I take you to be the old
man of the season, and I pray you not to slay me. All the others have planted
out their paddy, and I have fallen behind, and have planted nothing. Therefore,
unless you turn back, I cannot hope to get any harvest." But the old man
said "It is too late for me to return. Go you back, and plant your paddy
as best you can." And so the lad hastened back and planted out his seedlings
in such heedless haste as became him. And that's all!
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