The Carpenter and the Demon Oniroku

In ancient, ancient times, there stood a small village on the banks of a great river. The people there lived happily and prosperously. But they had one problem: every time they built a bridge across the river—strong and beautiful—as soon as the rain fell or the wind blew, the bridge would shatter into tiny splinters and float downstream.

No matter how many bridges the people built, they could never construct one that could withstand rain or storms. One day, they gathered to hold a council: how could they build a bridge that would stand forever? They thought and thought, and finally decided to go to a neighboring village to call for a carpenter. That carpenter was a master of his craft, and people from all around came to him for help.

The villagers came to the carpenter, bowed low, and said:
- We beg you, honorable master, to build a bridge in our village.
- Very well, - the carpenter agreed. - You shall have a new bridge!
- Wonderful! - the villagers rejoiced.
They returned home and began to wait for the carpenter to build the new bridge.
But the carpenter felt uneasy. "I took on this task in haste," he thought. "There must be a reason the bridges in that village keep shattering." And his wife began to grumble:
- You shouldn't have taken this job. What if your bridge doesn't hold up in the rain? What a shame that would be!

But there was nothing to be done—he had given his word, and he had to keep it. The carpenter gathered his tools and went to the riverbank to inspect the site where he would build the bridge. When he arrived, he saw that the river had swollen from the rains, churning and roaring.

- Yes, this is no easy task—building a bridge across a raging river, - the carpenter muttered. - It must be built like this... or perhaps like that...

He stood on the riverbank for a long time, unable to decide how to build the bridge. Suddenly, out of nowhere, high waves rose in the river, a whirlpool formed, and a huge demon emerged from the water.

- Ha-ha-ha! Here I am! - the demon bellowed. - So, carpenter, have you figured out how to build a bridge across our river?

- Well, I'm thinking... - the carpenter replied to the demon. - I really want to help the people and build a good bridge.

- You won't succeed, so don't even try, - the demon laughed. - You don't have the strength. No human can build this bridge. It's beyond human ability. But I know how to help you...

- You do? - the carpenter brightened. - Then give me your advice, and I'll spare nothing for you.

The demon leaned closer to the carpenter and said:
- You'll spare nothing, you say? Don't worry, I won't ask for much. Here's the deal: I'll build the bridge, and you'll give me one of your eyes. Do we have a deal?

The carpenter was stunned:
- My eye? Why do you need it? - he asked.
- Oh, so you're scared! - the demon shook his head. - It won't hurt! But the bridge across the river will stand for centuries! And the people will think you built it.

- I don't know what to say... - the carpenter hesitated.
- Think about it, - the demon said, - think until tomorrow.
And he sank back into the depths.

The carpenter stood on the riverbank, unable to move from fear. "Maybe it was all a dream?" he thought. "I'll wait until morning and see what happens." The next morning, before dawn, the carpenter went back to the riverbank. As soon as he approached the water, he froze in place: half of the bridge towered over the river, perfectly crafted!

- Hey, carpenter, - he heard, - do you like my bridge? I told you it would be a good one!

The carpenter looked up and saw the demon sitting on the edge of the bridge, smiling.
- Did you really build half the bridge in one night? - the carpenter asked in amazement.
- Of course, all by myself! - the demon replied proudly. - You humans need help, but I don't. The demon rubbed his hands with satisfaction at the praise and asked:

- Will you give me your eye for my bridge?
- I haven't decided yet, - the carpenter replied. - Finish building it, and then we'll talk.

- Very well, - the demon agreed. - We'll talk tomorrow morning.
The carpenter grew even more troubled, not knowing what to do: the bridge was good, but he didn't want to give up his eye. The next morning, he woke up to the sound of thunder and rain pouring down like a waterfall.

The carpenter rejoiced: "Now the demon's bridge will shatter into splinters, and I won't have to give him my eye!"

He rushed to the riverbank. There, he saw that the demon had finished the bridge overnight, and it was so beautiful! And then, a miracle: the rain poured, the waves rose, but the bridge stood firm, unmoving!

The carpenter was terrified:
"My doom has come," he thought, "there's no way out now, I'll have to give the demon my eye." Just then, the demon peeked out of the water.

- See what a fine bridge I've built! - the demon boasted. - For such beauty, you won't regret giving up your eye! Hand it over!

- Wait a little longer, - the carpenter pleaded. - Let's do this properly. I see that your bridge has withstood the rain and wind, but will it hold up in a storm?

- Of course it will! - the demon laughed. - But I see you're stalling, trying to avoid paying your debt. That's not good!

- Listen, - the carpenter said. - Why are you so fixated on my eye? Maybe I can repay you in some other way?

- Another way? - the demon was surprised. - What else can you offer?
He thought and thought, and finally said:
- Alright, I'll give you a riddle. If you solve it, the bridge is yours. If not, you'll give me your eye.

- Go ahead, give me your riddle, - the carpenter agreed.
- Oh, you've grown bold! - the demon chuckled. - Think I'll give you an easy one? Fine, tell me by morning what my name is!

- What your name is?! - the carpenter was stunned. - Who could possibly tell me that? Who even knows?
- If you don't find out, you'll give me your eye! - the demon shouted as he disappeared into the water.

The carpenter went home, deeply troubled. He lay down to sleep, but sleep wouldn't come. "What could the demon's name be?" he wondered. Then he heard a child crying in the next room, and his wife went to soothe the child, singing a lullaby:

- Sleep, my little one, fall asleep! Don't name the demon's name! Or else Oniroku will come, And take your little eye!

- What a strange song! - the carpenter thought. - Oniroku will come... "Take your little eye..." Oh, this must be about my demon! - he realized.

The carpenter jumped up and began running around the room, shouting:
- Oniroku! Oniroku! Oniroku!
Calm and joy returned to the carpenter. He looked out the window: the bright moon was shining, smiling at him. The next morning, at dawn, the carpenter ran to the river. The demon was already sitting on the bridge, waiting for him.

- Well, carpenter, have you learned my name? - the demon asked.
The carpenter was bursting to say the demon's name, but he decided to toy with the demon first. He hesitated.

- I see you don't know my name, - the demon said. - Hand over your eye!
- No, no, wait! - the carpenter cried. - Your name is... Onitaro!
- Ha-ha-ha! - the demon laughed and even jumped for joy. - Wrong, wrong! Hand over your eye!

- Wait, I'll say it now, - the carpenter pretended to think again. - This time I won't make a mistake. Your name is... Onihati!

- Wrong again! - the demon squealed with delight. - You don't know, you still don't know! Give me your eye! He leapt out of the water, rushed to the carpenter, and was about to pluck out his eye.

- I remember! I remember! - the carpenter shouted at the top of his lungs. - Your name is Oniroku! Your name is Oniroku! Our bridge was built by Oniroku!

The demon's eyes widened. He stood still for a moment, then plunged into the water and disappeared.

- Wait, Oniroku, don't go! - the carpenter shouted. - I want everyone to know that you built the bridge across the river!

The carpenter called and called for the demon, but it was no use. Oniroku never appeared again. No one ever saw him after that. But the bridge, built by the demon, brought joy to the people for many, many years, and no storms or rains could harm it.

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The Carpenter and the Demon Oniroku

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