The Kappa Appears
A small spirit who loves cucumbers
I came back to the river the very next morning.
The air was quiet, and no friends were there.
I sat on my flat rock and waited alone.
Soon, small bubbles rose to the top of the water.
A little green head slowly came up near me.
It was a kappa, a spirit from the old stories.
A kappa is a small water spirit with green .
It has a round of water on its head.
This kappa was about as big as a young child.
Its eyes were the same green eyes from yesterday.
I felt and could not move at first.
"Please do not run away," the kappa said softly.
Its was , like water over smooth stones.
"I am the master of this old river," it said.
"People forget me, but I still watch this water."
I asked, "What do you eat, little river spirit?"
"I love cucumbers more than anything," the kappa said.
"Fresh cucumbers are my food in the world."
The kappa smiled and showed its small white .
I slowly began to feel calm and less .
"My grandmother told me your story," I said quietly.
The kappa's eyes grew wide and bright with .
"Not many people remember the old tales now," it said.
I promised to visit the kappa again very soon.
Maybe this strange spirit could become my new friend.