The little boy Haruto lived with his grandfather in a small village in Japan. It was surrounded by high mountains and dense forests. They lived in a traditional house with a beautiful garden and a koi carp pond. "So, are you already looking forward to the Tanabata festival?" Haruto's grandpa wanted to know. He was certainly looking forward to it! Even if he didn't know exactly what the star festival, as it was also known, was all about.
"At the Tanabata festival, we remember the love story of Orihime and Hikoboshi," the grandfather explained to the boy. "Orihime was a weaver princess and her lover Hikoboshi was a cowherd. The two of them were so infatuated with each other that they forgot to do their chores. The King of Heaven didn't like this at all. He became angry and decided to separate the two lovers. Only once a year, on July 7, does he allow them to come together again across the stars of the Milky Way."
Haruto knew that during the Tanabata festival, colorful strips of paper called "tanzaku" were hung on bamboo branches. All wishes were written on the strips and it was hoped that they would come true.
On the day of the star festival, Haruto and his grandpa went to the village square together. It was beautifully decorated with colorful lanterns and many bright banners. A lot of colorful tanzaku were already hanging from the bamboo trees. Haruto had a little trouble finding a place for his note. "I wish to become a great and brave samurai," was written on his strip of paper.
As the stars shone brightly in the sky that evening, many sky lanterns were sent up. At this beautiful sight, Haruto imagined Orihime and Hikoboshi falling into each other's arms. He wished them luck and hoped that his wish would come true.
His grandfather took him aside "You know, my boy, every wish needs patience and courage. Believe in yourself and work on it, then your wish will come true".
Image rights: Xiaolinzi821 at Pixabay
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