The Intrinsic Power of Storytelling

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When I was four years old, my favorite story was a Japanese folktale called Tsuru no Ongaeshi, loosely translated to “The Crane Returning the Favor” or “The Grateful Crane”.

I still remember the sound of my mother’s voice narrating the tale in Japanese, the lilt and rhythm of the words, the delicious anticipation fluttering in my chest as she turned each page, and the vivid illustrations enchanting me in each scene.

There are different variations of the story but the one I know is as follows.

One day a poor farmer is out in the fields and spots a beautiful white crane on the ground. It is gravely injured with an arrow piercing one of its wings. Feeling sorry for it, the man removes the arrow and cleans the wound. The crane flies into the sky, circles him three times, and soars off into the distance.

That night, a beautiful woman arrives at the farmer’s door. She says that she is there to be his wife. Surprised, he explains that he is too poor to support her. She shows him a small sack and says not to worry. I have plenty of rice for us.

The man is confused but welcomes her in. As the days pass, they begin a happy life together and the rice bag mysteriously always remains full.