appear, in new ways. This is the way it is in life. ‘Ne would like to keep cherry blossoms and such lovely things, but they too, come and go.”

“Butmother, why? Why should it be this way?” He was clearly disappointed. “Flowers are pretty, everybody could enjoy them all year long.” Again, his heart gave a small leap. He thought, “Oh, I still wish we could keep taking these walks among the blossoms, forever and ever.” He had a tiny hidden feeling of sadness and he didn’t understand it at all. But just then, there was a sudden noise which made Shinran and mother jump. A big Frog was giving loud croaks.. .croaks. . . croaks. Both of them laughed and ran to the small pond. At first they didn’t see it. There were so many Lotus leaves crowding the small circle of water. Besides, all around one side of the pond, yellow mustard greens were blooming in profusion and butter- flies kept fluttering over clumps of purple violets. What a rainbow of colors before their eyes.

But all at once they saw the frog. There he sat big, fat and important—looking. It was as if he were saying, “Look at me, I am King of this pond. The whole world is here and I shall be King of it forever.” To show his charm, he expertly snapped at insects and closed his jaws with gusto.

Shinran and mother watched his antics for a while, then turned around, winding their way past the old weeping willows and walked home.

—3