Five Peas
Once upon a time, five little peas lived together inside a pea pod in harmony and contentment.
They slept all day, warmed by the sun, and at night they would talk together and listen to the music of the Moon.
When the moon was a crescent, she strung a silver string on her points and became a harp,
When she was a full moon, she would boom like a mighty drum.
The peas would wake when they heard her music.
Umm... Ahm~~~
The eldest preferred the sound of the drum.
Doong, doong, doong! Let's beat the drum~
The second was mischievous and enjoyed the castanets.
Click click! Click click!
The lyrical, sensitive third pea longed for the melody of the harp.
Today, the moon was in its crescent phase, and the soft music of the harp filled the air.
Moon, Moon, who are you Moon, and whence do you appear….
They covered their ears and did not want to listen.
Ugh! The harp is dull and boring, I don’t want to listen to this!
…and what about the Fourth and the Fifth?
I don’t care about anything, Life flows on like a river…
He liked the castanets, the drum, and the harp the same.
I love them all. Each sound is special in its own way…
One fine day, the five peas suddenly realized how cramped their pod had become.
It’s so stuffy in here…
This pod is too cramped, I can’t sleep in here!
Huh? What’s going on?
Suddenly, the pod burst open, and the bright sunlight came bursting in.
Oh…it’s so bright! What’s happening! What is this light?
Oh, no! Our home has burst!
It doesn’t matter…I’m going back to sleep.
Unlike the Fourth pea, all the others were quite excited.
This could be our chance!
Our chance for what?
But we know nothing about the outside world! It could be dangerous!
I don’t care, I just want to see it!
The peas argued for a while about whether they should leave their pod.
It may be dangerous, but we have to give it a try.
Finally, they decided to take their chances and go on an adventure.
I wish I could get more sleep….
Don't leave me alone~!
Leaping out of their pod, the peas slid down a thick stem and landed in a furrow in the pea patch.
I hadn’t realized how far up our home had been.
The peas were overwhelmed at encountering the world for the first time,
and were confused about where they should go.
Hey look, I found some peas that will be perfect for my slingshot!
Oh…!!!!
Wait! Brother!!!
The First pea flew high into the air and far away.
The Second, Third, and Fourth also went flying from the slingshot.
No no! I’m scared! Please put me down! I don’t want to fly!
At last, the youngest was launched from the slingshot.
Ooo….I feel like a cloud! It is so wonderful to fly… so light and free! Woo-hoo!
The Fifth landed on a windowsill.
Let’s look through the window…
Gazing through the window, he saw a little girl lying in bed.
She was very pale and thin, and was coughing weakly.
Here darling, try to swallow some of this soup.
I’m sorry…I feel too ill to eat anything right now…
Oh, but you must eat so you can get strong and healthy!
Mmmm.. Ugh.
Oh, what will I do with you?
Cough, cough! Sorry. I'm so sorry, mom.
When the girl finally fell asleep, her mother looked up at the sky and cried.
How can you be so cruel to me? Why do you want to take my only child from me?
Do you not pity the sufferings of a mother helplessly watching her child die?
Please save my daughter... Please save my daughter!
and sang for her to the beat of the drum.
Doong-doong-doong, play the drum! Doong-doong-doong, play the drum!
Where’s that sound coming from?
Who is it?
Look over here!
I did. I can also sing to the beat of the Moon’s drum. He he!
You can?
The girl could see the full moon outside her window but she couldn’t hear its drum.
But I can’t hear the music…
What do you mean?
My mind?...
That’s right! You just have to believe!
If you believe, you can get better again.
No, my doctor says my disease cannot be cured.
Well…what if I can become something other than a pea…maybe you can become healthy again.
But you are only a pea. What else can you become?
But what if I transform myself? Will you promise to change yourself too if I do?
Yes, I promise!
Oh…It was just a dream…a talking pea..
..that’s ridiculous..
But what if I could really cure myself?
Meanwhile, the Fifth pea resolved to keep his promise to the girl.
He used the dust that had built up on the windowsill to keep himself warm through the cold winter.
I know I can do it…I just have to try harder…
He had sprouted a green bud.
Oh look! It’s a pea sprout! How did it end up on our windowsill!?
What’s that? A pea!
Oh Mother, he has kept his promise! The pea has kept his promise!
What are you taking about, dear?
The Girl told her Mother all about her strange dream.
Mom, so now, maybe I can become healthy again!
Of course you can, dearest!
The Mother was deeply touched by the confidence in her daughter’s voice and embraced her.
Of course I can, if the pea can grow like that, I can!
Alright. Ha ha ha!
This is all thanks to you, Pea. Thank you so much!
At that instant, the pea was proud and happy, and had no regrets about venturing into the world.
He hoped his brothers were alright and did not regret their decisions either.
As he looked at his branches, he could see new peas beginning to sprout, and he smiled happily.