A little boy named Haruto lived with his grandfather in a small village in Japan. It was nestled among tall mountains and dense forests. The two of them lived in a traditional house with a beautiful garden and a koi pond. “So, are you looking forward to the Tanabata Festival?” Haruto’s grandpa asked. And was he excited! Even though he didn’t know exactly what the Star Festival—as it was also called—was all about.
“During 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 beloved, Hikoboshi, was a cowherd. The two were so smitten with each other that they forgot to do their duties. The King of Heaven didn’t like that at all. He became angry and decided to separate the two lovers. Only once a year, on July 7, does he allow them to reunite across the stars of the Milky Way.”
Haruto knew that during the Tanabata Festival, colorful strips of paper called “tanzaku” were hung from bamboo branches. People wrote their wishes on the strips and hoped they would come true.
On the day of the Star Festival, Haruto and his grandpa went to the village square together. It was magnificently decorated with colorful lanterns and many glowing banners. A lot of colorful tanzaku were already hanging from the bamboo trees. Haruto had a little trouble finding a spot for his slip of paper. “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 into the air. Seeing this beautiful sight, Haruto imagined Orihime and Hikoboshi falling into each other’s arms. He wished them happiness and hoped that his own wish would come true as well.
His grandfather took him aside. “You know, my boy, every wish requires patience and courage. Believe in yourself and work toward it, and then your wish will come true.”
Image credit: Xiaolinzi821 on Pixabay
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