The Origami Master and His Cat
Once upon a time, in a small village named Kasei in the outskirts of Japan, there lived an old man named Takeo. At the age of 70, he lived all alone in a humble wooden house, having no children to carry his name or wife to share his life. He earned his living by selling beautiful origami figures, colorfully folded paper models in different shapes - birds, animals, and flowers. His works were not only known in Kasei but also in neighboring towns and villages for their artistic beauty. He learned this unique art form from his mother as a young boy growing up in Hiroshima.
Unfortunately, Takeo was a victim of the Hiroshima bombing during World War II. Miraculously, he survived but his mother did not. He moved to Kasei where he lived his entire life carrying her memories through origami.
Takeo started his day early, waking up at the crack of dawn, meditating in the quietude of the morning, followed by his morning tea and the tedious task of choosing the perfect paper for his origami figures. He would lose himself among the vibrant papers and their delightful crisp rustle, a sound that became a lullaby to his old soul. His hands would then work their magic, creating beautiful life-like figures in just a few folds and creases.
One of the days, as Takeo was lost in folding a crane, a stray cat entered his house. It was a greyish-white feline with intense blue eyes. The cat calmly kept watching Takeo do his work, and in exchange, Takeo gave her some food. From that day on, the cat became a permanent companion making loneliness less harsh on Takeo.
One day while creating a piece, Takeo noticed his hands trembling. He realized his age was catching up with him, affecting his beloved craft. The fact became evident when his sales began to dwindle – the figures were not as perfect or as loved as they used to be. Takeo was filled with worry. He wouldn't be able to make his living or continue his mother's legacy.
One evening, as he was struggling with an elaborate dragon figure, the cat jumped onto the table. She picked up a couple of pieces of paper and began moving them seemingly aimlessly with her paw. At first, Takeo tried to shoo her away but then he noticed that the paper picked by her were much more vibrant together. The cat had chosen colors and patterns that complemented each other perfectly. Inspired, Takeo created an origami dragon using the selected papers and the figure turned out exquisite.
From that day on, the old man and the cat worked together. The cat would choose the paper, teasing them out with her paw and Takeo would turn them into beautiful figures. Their magic caught on quickly and their sales skyrocketed. People were amazed by the stunning color combinations and intricate folds. The old man's origami was more vibrant than ever before, all thanks to a stray cat.
The old man and the cat became a much-loved duo, their story resonating across villages. When Takeo passed away a few years later, he left behind a legacy that outlasted him. The cat continued to pick the colorful papers for the village children who had learned the art form from Takeo, ensuring the old man’s memory is kept alive.
Takeo's tale became a tale of the village, a symbol of persistence, unexpected friendships, and age-old Japanese art; carrying a part of Kasei’s soul, cherishing Takeo’s spirit, reminding us of the beautiful bond he shared with a stray cat and the beautiful origami they created.