Week 6 Storytelling: Princess Megumi

Prince Toyonari Fujiwara and Princess Murasaki had all the riches anyone could want. They were loved by all and loved all. It seemed like they had everything anyone could ever ask for except for a child. They both dearly wanted a child to love and take care of and to pass on all their riches to when they were old and no longer had a need for them. One day they decided they would visit the temple of Inari, the goddess of fertility. They made the journey to her temple to worship her and pray that she would provide them a child.

Inari heard their pleas and had sympathy on them and decided to provide them with a child. When Murasaki found out she was pregnant, the prince and princess praised Inari and went back to their home. Murasaki gave birth to a little girl whom she named Princess Megumi which meant “blessing” because she was such a blessing to her parents. Inari had granted their prayers for a daughter and when Megumi was born Inari was overwhelmed with affection for her. She could sense that her heart was so pure and she would do amazing things. Inari vowed from that day on to watch over Megumi and ensure no harm ever came to her. Megumi and her parents all lived a perfectly happy life until Princess Murasaki fell terribly ill. When she knew she would not recover she called for her child, Megumi. She told her to not be angry because of her mother’s death, but to rejoice that the two of them had gotten to spend the last five years together. She told Megumi she was not to resent the world but love everyone that much more. She was to be a good girl and love others incomparably. She also told Megumi if her father found another woman to marry, Megumi should love her and accept her as a mother. Megumi agreed to all of these things and was deeply saddened when her mother passes away later that week.

Two years later Megumi’s father married another named Princess Terute. Terute came to despise Princess Megumi because her father loved her so and treasured her more than anything else. Terute desired to be the most important thing in his life. She gave birth to a child later that year and knew she and her son would now be the one to win Prince Toyonari’s affection, but his still held Megumi dearest of all. Terute came to hate Megumi even more. 

 

Princess Megumi

Megumi grew to be a young adult and was so kind and loving to all. She was also a great artist, musician, and writer. News of her amazing musical abilities traveled around the village and soon Megumi was invited to perform for the Emperor which was such an honor. Megumi performed beautifully and the Emperor praised her performance. He invited her back to perform for all the court and sent her beautiful gifts for her wonderful performances. Terute resented Megumi even more. Not only did she receive the love and affection of Prince Toyonari, she was now receiving praise and love from all the people including the emperor. 

Princess Terute decided she needed to do something about Megumi because everything in her life was perfect if it weren’t for this awful child. Megumi always treated Terute with respect and loved her like she would love her own mother, but still Terute could not stand Megumi. She decided while Prince Toyonari was out of town for business she would have Megumi taken to the woods and killed.

Terute ordered one of her servants to take Megumi deep into the woods and kill her then return without any trace of Megumi. The servant was loyal to Terute and agreed. Megumi knew something awful was going to happen when Terute sent her away with the servant, but Megumi had no fear, she only loved. Inari looked down from the skies and saw Megumi’s situation and how her heart was still filled with love and compassion. Inari decided to honor her vow to keep Megumi safe so as the servant and Megumi were walking deeper into the woods, Inari disguised herself as a wolf and rescued Megumi from the servant. Inari took her to a safe place where she could remain until her father returned.

Inari came to Prince Toyonari in his dreams and demanded he return home at once. The next morning he left. When he returned to his house he found his fears confirmed, Megumi was nowhere to be found. Terute insisted that Megumi had run away of her own accord. She reassured him that they had been searching for her and she had gone into the forest and all that remained was a gold hair piece she wore. Megumi’s father was devastated, but refused to believe Megumi would run away. He went in search of her. When he got to the woods Inari, disguised as the wolf, led him to Megumi where Megumi told her father what had happened. When Prince Toyonari heard this he banished Terute and demanded she could never step foot in their village again. Megumi and her family lived happily. Megumi was loved by all and the goddess Inari always watched over her like she was her own mother. Megumi lived to an old age and was loved by everyone who ever met her.

 
Author's Note: I really liked the Japanese Fairy Tales by Ozaki that I read and looked forward to writing a story like the last story in the series about Princess Hase. I modified the story a bit and added my own twist, but it was really fun to write!