Zenith and Nadir (93/02/01)
How many English words do you know beginning with "z"? Probably not very many. Do you know the word "zenith", spelled z-e-n-i-t-h? If you stand outdoors and look straight up at the sky, you are looking at the zenith, which is the point in the sky directly overhead. It also means the highest point, culmination or summit, so we may say the zenith of a sumō wrestler's career is when he becomes a yokozuna. This English word comes from an Arabic phrase which meant "path over the head". The opposite of "zenith", "nadir", spelled n-a-d-i-r, also comes from an Arabic word meaning "opposite". The nadir is the point directly beneath the observer or the lowest point of anything. People will be happy when the nadir of the present economic depression is reached. Philippians chapter 2, verses 6-11, described the nadir and zenith in the life of Christ. --Clark Offner (4206)
'Setsubun' (93/02/02)
In the folklore of certain sections of the United States, especially where there are many descendants of German settlers, February 2nd, known as Groundhog Day, is a kind of weather forecasting day. A groundhog is a common American rodent, also known as a woodchuck or a marmot. According to the legend, on this day, the groundhog emerges from its winter hibernation. If it is a sunny day, it will see its shadow, become frightened and return to its burrow. Then there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If it is a cloudy day, however, it will not return to its winter home and winter weather will soon turn to spring. In Japan, tomorrow is 'setsubun' and there are various traditional customs related to that "season divider" day. 'Setsubun' is the suggested theme for those who wish to write a short essay in English and send it to me for correction. What is the origin and history of the 'setsubun' customs? What did you think of them when you were a child? what is your opinion about them now? Does your family continue to follow them? Why or Why not? The corrected version of essays sent to me will be published in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes scheduled for publication on May 30th. This is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. -- Clark Offner (4207)
Copy Fee (93/02/03)
Today, I will explain about the fee for written copies of these "Daily Word" messages which are sent to those requesting them. Every Thursday, I mail written copies of the messages for the following week so listeners may read them either before, after or while listening to the spoken message. Five years ago, I began renting a copy machine on which the copies are made. At that time, the copy fee was fixed in relation to the rental fee and paper cost. Beginning next month, the rental charge will be reduced, so I am also reducing the copy fee for the written messages. Beginning in March, the fee will be ¥30 per copy for one week's messages. If you wish to receive a copy, please send me self-addressed envelopes with a ¥62 stamp affixed plus ¥30 in stamps for each week of messages desired. You may send envelopes for many weeks at the same time but for larger amounts, I prefer a postal money order or a deposit into the "Daily Word" postal transfer account ('yūbin furikae kōza') of 'Deiri- Wa-do' Nagoya 3-37078. If you include money for that purpose, I will affix the stamps on your self-addressed envelopes. Since I resell the stamps to friends or organizations, commemorative stamps are especially appreciated. My address is "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. --Clark Offner (4208)
Americans Ancestry (93/02/04)
The United States Constitution requires that a national census be taken every ten years. The first such census was taken in 1790. In the 21st census taken in 1990, a longer form was distributed to one household in six. On this from, people were asked to identify their ancestry. The Census Bureau used the answers to estimate the numbers of Americans belonging to various national or ethnic groups. According to the results there were over thirty different groupings that included over one million people in them. The largest group was the 57.9 million people of German ancestry (which includes me), followed by 38.7 million Irish, 32.7 million English and 23.8 million Afro-Americans. These are followed by Italian, Mexican, French, Polish, American Indian, Dutch, Scotch-Irish and Scottish which are all more than five million. The final ancestral groupings of over one million are Swiss and Japanese. It is impossible to describe a "typical" American because we come from such a variety of national, cultural, religious and linguistic backgrounds and it is unfortunate that national or racial prejudices continue to cause trouble in our global village today. -- Clark Offner (4209)
After School Hours (93/02/05)
What do Japanese children do after returning home from school every day? Do they go outdoors and play in the fresh air? No, they don't! A nationwide survey by the Health and Welfare Ministry conducted in September 1991 among some 5,600 families with children aged between 3 and 15 found that most Japanese children spend after school hours indoors, taking extra lessons, watching television or playing video games. Most children wanted to play outdoors but could not. Two thirds of them took private lessons after school. Preschool and lower-grade children in elementary schools took lessons chiefly in calligraphy, painting and swimming while older elementary school students attended cram schools to prepare for entrance examinations. A majority of junior high schoolers also took extra lessons at coaching schools. The number was nearly 20 percentage points higher than in a similar survey in 1982. Over 82 percent of children from fifth grade of elementary school to third year of junior high school spent over an hour a day watching television or playing video games. In some areas, Japanese children, youth and adults are much more advanced than their counterparts in many countries, but in other areas they lag far behind. Developing well-balanced individuals who are morally, intellectually and physically healthy is a difficult task, indeed. -- Clark Offner (4210)
Front Yard (93/02/06)
One meaning of the word "yard", spelled y-a-r-d, is a unit of length in traditional British and American systems of measurement. One yard is equal to three feet or to 0.9144 meters. Another meaning of yard is an enclosure in which animals are kept. But the tract of ground around a building may also be called a yard. Residential areas in my hometown in the United States had comparatively large yards surrounding the individual homes. Since these yards are covered with grass, they are also called lawns. One of my early jobs as a schoolboy was to mow the lawn around our house in the summertime with a lawn mower. No fences around our yard separated it from the yards of our next door neighbors, but a line of rose bushes along one side of our front yard and lilac bushes on the other side served as boundary at the front of the yard. On the public strip of land between the sidewalk and the avenue, there were three large elm trees which I sometimes enjoyed climbing. I remember reading a book while sitting on a branch high above the ground. Of course, we mowed the grass on that public strip of land in front of our house and also shoveled the snow from the public sidewalk along our front yard in the winter when we shoveled the concrete walk to our front door and around our house. -- Clark Offner (4211)
The Beginning (93/02/07)
The English name for the first book of the Bible is Genesis. The word means "origin" or "beginning". This book begins with a story of the beginning of the world. Needless to say, this 3000-year-old story is not written in modern scientific language. It is a reflection of the basic faith that underlies the whole Bible. It affirms that the physical universe is not the meaningless result of chance. According to that ancient story, light and darkness, sea and land, plants, celestial bodies, animals, birds and fish were all created in an orderly fashion by a purposeful and intelligent Creator. The final act of creation was the special creation of beings in the image of God. These human beings, with their peculiar gifts and ability to believe in God, were given responsibility over the rest of creation. The story affirms that the original creation was good, but the rest of the Bible relates how the world was upset by the rebellious actions of human beings in turning away from their Creator and going their self-centered ways. Yet, the Bible teaches that the almighty, eternal God continues to be in control and that human happiness can be found through freely returning to the Source of our life and following the divine will. --Clark Offner (4212)
Jeep & Veep (93/02/08)
Jeep, spelled j-e-e-p, is now a trademark name for a civilian motor vehicle, but the word was originally used for a small, rugged, military vehicle with a four-wheel drive used by the United States armed forces in World War II. This very useful vehicle which was used for many different purposes was designated a "g. p.", meaning "general purpose", car. From these initials, the word "geep" was coined. At that time, there was a cartoon character in the comic strip, Popeye, called "Eugene the Jeep", a tiny creature with supernatural powers, so this small, all-purpose vehicle with its surprising power was given the same spelling. In a similar way, veep, spelled v-e-e-p, an American slang term for vice president, was derived from the initials v.p. The present American veep never served in the armed forces, so he probably never rode in a jeep. --Clark Offner (4213)
Television Programs (93/02/09)
Some of us older folk can recall the days long ago before there was such a thing as television. Young people today find it difficult to imagine such a time because the TV set has become such a central part of their lives. They wonder what on earth people did without TV games, cartoons, movies, variety shows and other programs. Television has a pervasive influence in industrialized countries. Obviously, its influence may be both beneficial and harmful. It may be used as an effective educational device, a transmitter of useful information and a means of relaxation. It may also be used as an escape into a world of fantasy, a powerful salesman for both useful and unnecessary products, a temptation to avoid irksome tasks and a stimulant to immorality. The programs on television, the treatment given to certain news stories and the overlooking or minimizing of other events have a dominant influence on the thinking of viewers. What particular television programs do you enjoy? I would be interested in reading a short essay on one of your favorite TV programs and why you enjoy it. I will correct essays sent to me and publish them in the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. --Clark Offner (4214)
Fish Symbol (93/02/10)
Living on islands surrounded by sea, it is natural that Japanese eat much fish. Since coming to Japan, I have been amazed at the great variety of fish that are available and at the large number of Chinese characters that include the radical for fish. Do you know what is the plural of fish? You may choose either fish or fishes, since both plural forms are acceptable, but in my experience the former form is more common. Fish are an important source of protein and some people consider fish to be "brain food", probably because fish provide phosphorus for the nerve tissue in the brain. The fish is one of the earliest Christian symbols. This symbol has been found in catacombs and other ancient monuments. The New Testament Gospels contain a couple of stories of miracles Jesus performed related to fish. Also, Jesus' first disciples were fishermen and he told them he would make them "fishers of men" [Mark 1:17]. The basic reason for this symbol, however, is that the Greek word for fish, 'ichthus', was considered a kind of acronym, the letters of which are the first letters of the title: "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior", which may be considered an early confession of faith. This title continues to express the heart of the Christian faith even today. --Clark Offner (4215)
New Sister Cities (93/02/11)
In the mid-1950s, United States President Dwight Eisenhower called for a people-to-people program to encourage international understanding. Since that time, many Japanese cities have established sister-city ties with cities in other countries. As of last December, 227 local governments across Japan had signed agreements with U.S. cities, 124 with Chinese cities and 56 with Australian cities. Last month, five days before Bill Clinton formally became the American president, sister-city ties were established between the city in Arkansas where he grew up and a city in Iwate Prefecture. The name of the Iwate city is Hanamaki, literally meaning "flower roll". Although the meanings of names of many American cities is not so evident, the meaning of the name of this Arkansas city is very clear. Its name is Hot Springs and the presence of spas in their respective areas is the common element between these new sister cities. Both cities are known as hot spring resorts and each is visited by about two million people annually. In 1921, that area of Arkansas with its 47 mineral hot springs was designated the 16th national park. There are now 49 national parks in that U.S. I am sure these two cities will develop a warm relationship with each other. -- Clark Offner (4216)
Abraham Lincoln (93/02/12)
One hundred eighty-four years ago today, on February 12, 1809, the man who became the 16th president of the United States was born in a log cabin in a desolate area of Kentucky. His father was a poverty-stricken, uneducated carpenter and farmer. His mother died when he was a young boy. The scattered weeks of formal schooling he received during his hard life as a child and youth amounted in all to less than one year. Yet he studied on his own, reading the few books he had acquired by the light of the hearth fire and using boards he had shaved off to write arithmetic problems on. He worked in a store, managed a mill, became a partner in a grocery store that failed, leaving him with a heavy burden of debt. He split rails, did odd jobs, became a surveyor and village postmaster. All this while, he continued to study law on his own and finally obtained a license as an attorney. Despite his ungainly appearance, his sterling character and exceptional honesty were recognized. He was elected to the state legislature and, later, to Congress. Although he failed in his bid to become a senator, his stand against slavery and for genuine democracy brought him national fame. His election as president stimulated the secession of southern states which resulted in the Civil War, but Abraham Lincoln is now recognized as one of the greatest of American presidents. -- Clark Offner (4217)
Basement Furnace (93/02/13)
The house in which I was born and raised in the small town of Zion, Illinois was built in 1919, the year my parents were married. The following year, my eldest sister was born, followed in turn by my elder brother, another elder sister, myself and two younger sisters. All of us were born in that home and lived there until we left for college. The house was well built and is still standing, although it is no longer owned by our family. In the basement of that house, there was a big coal-burning furnace with a large coal bin nearby. Coal was delivered by truck and was shoveled directly from the back of the truck onto a shoot that extended through a small basement window into the bin. Directly above the furnace, in the center of the first floor, was a large register through which heat was transmitted to the whole house. During the cold winter days, the furnace was always lit and coal had to be regularly added to keep the house warm. Because that floor register was the warmest place in the house, it was a favorite gathering place on cold days. Of course, there was a chimney to let the smoke out, but the only part visible was the top which extended beyond the roof. Unfortunately, it was not big enough for Santa Clause to climb down, but even if he did, he would have found himself in the furnace rather than in a fireplace. -- Clark Offner (4218)
Trials (93/02/14)
The New Testament Letter of James begins with a somewhat surprising statement. There it is written that we should consider ourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come our way. Usually, trials are not considered fortunate events. Rather, most of us do our best to avoid trials which require effort and wisdom to overcome. But James teaches that trials are a means of strengthening our faith and character. For people with a healthy faith, trials are a challenge. Just as athletes accept trials as a disciplinary exercise and find satisfaction in enduring them, so believers rejoice in the firmer faith they obtain through difficult experiences. A word of encouragement is given by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:13: "God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out." If we realize that trials are necessary to develop a robust character and mature faith, we will not try to evade them nor be over-protective of our children. As the old Confucian proverb puts it: tama migakazareba hikari nashi, a jewel will not sparkle unless polished. --Clark Offner (4219)
Hazard (93/02/15)
A die, spelled d-i-e, is a small cube marked on each side with from one to six dots. It is used in various games, usually with another die. Your probably know the plural form of this word, which is dice. The Arabic word for die is al-zahr. From this word, the Spanish word 'azar' was coined to mean "an unlucky throw of the dice". When this word entered English, a letter was added to both the beginning and the end. It became "hazard" and denoted a game played with dice. Nowadays, hazard may mean a chance, risk or danger and to "hazard a guess" implies taking a chance at being wrong. There are many hazards we face in daily life whenever we leave our homes or even if we remain at home. In fact, religious faith itself may be considered a kind of hazard but, personally, I consider the lack of a healthy faith in God to be a greater hazard. --Clark Offner (4220)
Political Reform (93/02/16)
The English verb "reform" literally means to "form again". When spelled with a capital R, the noun "Reformation" denotes the 16th century religious movement which aimed at reforming the Roman Catholic Church but which resulted in the establishment of separated Protestant churches. In recent months, the words "reform" and "reformation" have become commonly used in articles or discussions about the political situation in Japan. Political reform and constitutional reformation are controversial subjects these days. As citizens of this nation whose own lives and those of future generations are and will be affected by such reforms, what are your opinions on these subjects. Do you think the political system in Japan should be reformed? Why or why not? If you think it should be changed, do you have practical suggestions to make regarding desired changes? What about the Constitution? Should it be amended, completely recast or remain as is? Composing an essay on either one or both of these topics will help you to think seriously about them and will be of interest to me and other readers of the "Daily Word" Echoes issue in which the corrected manuscript will appear. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. --Clark Offner (4221)
Madame Butterfly (93/02/17)
In modern American English, "Madam" is used as a polite form of address for a woman. If an "e" is added to the end for the word, it is pronounced madám, and is used for a married woman in particular. Ninety-nine years ago today, on February 17, 1904, the première of the famous opera, 'Madame Butterfly', was performed at the Scala Opera House in Milan. In this opera, a Japanese maiden of Nagasaki, Cho-Cho San, becomes the wife of Pinkerton, an American naval officer. The wedding is attended by many guests, but the bride is denounced for having accepted the religion of her husband. A few weeks after the wedding, Pinkerton returns to America but assures his wife of his love for her and promises to return. He does return after three years with an American wife. He is ashamed to meet Butterfly, but his wife met her in the garden and asked for her golden-haired son. Replying that she may have him in half an hour, she takes arms, enters the house, places him on a cushion, blindfolds him and puts an American flag in his hand. Then she stabs herself with her father's dagger which bears the inscription: "To die with honor when one can no longer live with honor". When Pinkerton enters to ask forgiveness, he finds her lying on the floor with arms outstretched toward her son. It is a moving opera in which certain Japanese virtues are emphasized. --Clark Offner (4222)
The Gambia (93/02/18)
Today, February 18th, is a national holiday in the Republic of The Gambia. On this day in 1965, The Gambia gained its independence from Britain. What do you know about The Gambia? Do you know on what continent it is located? If you know the continent, do you know in what area of the continent it is found and its relative size? The Gambia is situated on the westernmost part of the bulge of Africa which extends into the North Atlantic Ocean. It is the smallest country on the continent, with an area of 10,600 square kilometers, the same size as Gifu Prefecture. Its shape, however, is quite different than that of Gifu. It is a narrow strip of land along both banks of the Gambia River, 322 kilometers long and averaging only 32 kilometers in width. Despite its small size, it has provided an outstanding example of democratic government in a continent known for its dictatorial regimes. The major product of Gambia is peanuts, which amount to 95 percent of its export. Since the publication of the book entitled Roots by the American author, Alex Haley, and the popular television series which followed, the Gambian village from which Kunte Kinte, Haley's ancestor, was taken to become a slave in America has become a sightseeing attraction for foreign tourists. --Clark Offner (4223)
Leprosy (93/02/19)
One of the fearful diseases of ancient times was leprosy. The Old Testament book of Leviticus (chapters 13 and 14) described this disease in some detail and prescribed what should be done about it. Some forms of this disease were very contagious and people afflicted with it, called lepers, were isolated from the community at large. The New Testament Gospels include stories of Jesus healing lepers. Certain forms of leprosy are found in Japan. Not all of them are severe nor contagious. Since effective treatment has been developed, the vast majority of people having leprosy no longer carry the risk of infecting others. There are now reported to be 6,500 leper patients in Japan, all of whom, according to the 1907 Leprosy Prevention Law, must live in isolation at one of 13 government-run leprosariums. One such facility is located on Nagashima Island in Okayama Prefecture. Of the 480 patients there, only three are active cases which require isolation. Yet Japanese law requires all patients to stay there for life, not until they are cured. There are many common misconceptions about leprosy which need to be changed and discrimination against those unfortunate victims of this disease should be ended. -- Clark Offner (4224)
Basement Rooms (93/02/20)
To enter the home in which I was born in northern Illinois, one had to go up about six concrete steps to the front door for there was a full basement under the first floor. Of course, there were steps outside of the back door also, but a side door was at ground level. This door opened onto a stairway landing from which one could go up a few steps to the first floor or down a few steps to the basement. Small windows in the basement rooms permitted some natural illumination. The smallest room in the basement, beyond the furnace and coal bin, was the pump room. The electric pump in this room pumped fresh, good-tasting water from our private well deep under the house throughout the year. Since it was soft water, when we added soap to it to wash dishes, clothes or bodies, there was a fine lather. The water was tested periodically to make sure it was safe to drink. In another corner of the basement there was another small room lined with shelves. This was the fruit cellar, where fresh fruits, such as apples, pears, peaches and cherries, and vegetables, including sweet corn, potatoes, beets and carrots, were kept in bushel baskets on the floor. Glass jars of my mother's home-canned fruits, vegetables and preserves filled the shelves. This room, in the northeast corner of the basement was always dark and cool or cold. --Clark Offner (4225)
Sons of Thunder (93/02/21)
One kind of nickname is a shortened form of a person's name. The nickname of the president of the United States, for example, is Bill, a shortened, altered form of William. Another kind of nickname depicts an attribute of the person. Some people are called Slim, Shorty, Blondie or Smiley. Jesus gave descriptive nicknames to some of his disciples. According to the Gospel of Mark, chapter 3, verse 17, he called two brothers, James and John, "Sons of Thunder". We can only imagine why he gave them this nickname, but an incident recorded in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 9, may give us a clue. When people in a Samaritan village did not welcome Jesus as he was passing through on his way to Jerusalem, these brothers suggested calling fire down from heaven to destroy them. They were angry at the lack of respect shown toward their beloved Lord. Jesus rebuked them, however. He made clear that their resentful spirit was wrong and, in some manuscripts, he is quoted as saying, "The Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." Some people may naturally have a thunderous disposition, but Jesus's disciples need to control their intemperance. If they do thunder, they should thunder against injustice and wickedness rather than against people they consider discourteous. --Clark Offner (4226)
Diamond (93/02/22)
Have you ever seen a diamond? Your answer will depend on the meaning given to this word. A baseball playing field is sometimes called a diamond because the baseball infield was originally in the shape of a diamond. A playing card with a red hishi-gata, diamond-shaped mark, on it may also be called a diamond. A real diamond, however, is a very hard gem that reflects light in a beautiful manner. This gem, often found in engagement rings, has been called "a woman's best friend". The English word, "diamond", is rooted in a Greek word meaning "unbreakable", but its form was altered when it passed through Latin into English. William Boetcker, having noted that "A diamond with a flaw is more valuable than a brick without a flaw", concluded that it is "Better to be a strong man with a weak point than to be a weak man without a strong point." --Clark Offner (4227)
Abacus, 'Soroban' (93/02/23)
These days, people make use of convenient calculators for solving arithmetic problems or doing mathematical calculations. In the old days in Japan, a more primitive but also very convenient counting device was used. This device had been introduced from China and, like many other products entering Japan from abroad, had been improved and rationalized for Japanese use. The irregular pronunciation given the Chinese characters identifying this device is 'soroban'. The English word for it, spelled a-b-a-c-u-s, is found at the very beginning of English dictionaries. Many people mistakenly think that the abacus is a peculiar Oriental device, but it was used in ancient Greece and Rome as well as in China. The English word, in fact, is derived from a Greek word meaning "counting board". "Abacus" or 'soroban' is the suggested theme for an English essay. Do you ever use a 'soroban' these days? Do your children or grandchildren? What are its advantages? What memories do you have regarding this device and how do you compare it with modern calculators? What do you think about its future use? Essays on this theme sent to me will be corrected and printed in "Daily Word" Echoes. This is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. --Clark Offner (4228)
Karaoke Boom (93/02/24)
"Boom", spelled b-o-o-m, may denote a loud sound like an explosion. During the war, the booming of bombs was a fearful sound. But "boom" may also signify a prosperous time and merchants are happy when business is booming. According to a report issued by the National Police Agency, the karaoke business is booming. The number of karaoke units in Japan increased to over 96,000 last year, an increase of more than 25,000 units over the previous year. Of course, each karaoke facility has a number of units customers may use to express their feelings by singing to themselves. Pachinko parlors, where people sit in front of machines, also increased for the 12th consecutive year and now total over 17,000. On the other hand, mah-jong parlors registered a decline for the 14th consecutive year, falling to less than 23,350. These statistics seem to indicate that more and more people are spending, or killing, time on individual forms of recreation rather than in activities that require interaction with others. I wonder if they suggest a weakening of the traditionally strong Japanese group consciousness. Two thousand years ago, the Roman poet, Ovid, wrote, "In our play we reveal what kind of people we are." --Clark Offner (4229)
Green (93/02/25)
Green, the color of grass and leaves, is a symbol of life, especially young life. Since green is the color of unripe fruit, we may call an immature person "green" and an inexperienced worker a "greenhorn". Greenhouses are glass-enclosed structures where plants are grown under controlled temperature and humidity and a person who has a knack for making plants grow well is said to have a green thumb. It is important for large cities to have areas of greenery where residents may relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Parks, farmland or uncultivated land around communities is sometimes called a green belt. A green light gives permission to proceed ahead and green tea is the traditional beverage in Japan made from leaves that are not fermented before being dried. The term, green-eyed, meaning jealous, comes from the warning of Iago in Shakespeare's drama, "Othello," to beware of jealousy, "green-eyed monster". Finally, we come to "greenback", which denotes American paper money, printed in green ink on the back. During the Civil War, on February 25, 1862, 130 years ago today, the U.S. Congress authorized the issuance of bank notes which were immediately called "greenbacks". In recent years, the value of greenbakcs has been declining in relation to the turquoise-, lilac-, and brown-backed Japanese paper money. --Clark Offner (4230)
An Old Medicine Jar (93/02/26)
On February 26, 1872, 121 years ago today, the following unusual story appeared in the 'Tōkyō Nichi-nichi Shinbun'. A foreigner, walking along a street in Osaka, dropped into a second-hand store. His eyes fell on an old medicine jar. He asked the price and was told "800". He said he wanted to buy it and would send a servant with the money later. The servant came as promised, paid the money and received the jar. But the shopkeeper was astonished to be given 800 'ryō' for the jar when he had expected only 800 'mon'. He expected the foreigner to return to complain, but after a couple of days had passed, he thought he should notify the police to avoid any possible trouble. Before he did so, however, he received a summons to go to the police station. He went there fearfully, thinking he would be charged with overcharging a foreigner. He was surprised to be handed an extra 200 'ryō' and asked to sign a receipt for it. The foreigner had informed the police that the old medicine jar, made of pure gold, was worth much more than he had paid for it and he wanted to treat the shopkeeper fairly. The man who bought this golden jar was simply following the Golden Rule, found in Luke 6:31: "Treat others as you would like them to treat you." -- Clark Offner (4231)
'Setsubun' (93/02/02)
Copy Fee (93/02/03)
Americans Ancestry (93/02/04)
After School Hours (93/02/05)
Front Yard (93/02/06)
The Beginning (93/02/07)
Jeep & Veep (93/02/08)
Television Programs (93/02/09)
Fish Symbol (93/02/10)
New Sister Cities (93/02/11)
Abraham Lincoln (93/02/12)
Basement Furnace (93/02/13)
Trials (93/02/14)
Hazard (93/02/15)
Political Reform (93/02/16)
Madame Butterfly (93/02/17)
The Gambia (93/02/18)
Leprosy (93/02/19)
Basement Rooms (93/02/20)
Sons of Thunder (93/02/21)
Diamond (93/02/22)
Abacus, 'Soroban' (93/02/23)
Karaoke Boom (93/02/24)
Green (93/02/25)
An Old Medicine Jar (93/02/26)
The Laundry Room (93/02/27)
Judge (93/02/28)
Zenith and Nadir (93/02/01)