I did not move, but watched to see how they
would treat me, feeling certain that they would not let
me go. Sure enough! My elder brother came slowly out, leading
an old man. There was a murderous gleam in his eyes, and
fearing that I would see it he lowered his head, stealing
glances at me from the side of his spectacles.
"You seem to be very well today,"
said my brother.
"Yes," said I.
"I have invited Mr. Ho here today,"
said my brother, "to examine you."
"All right," said I. Actually I knew quite well
that this old man was the executioner in disguise! He simply
used the pretext of feeling my pulse to see how fat I was;
for by so doing he would receive a share of my flesh. Still
I was not afraid. Although I do not eat men, my courage
is greater than theirs. I held out my two fists, to see
what he would do. The old man sat down, closed his eyes,
fumbled for some time and remained still for some time;
then he opened his shifty eyes and said, "Don't let
your imagination run away with you. Rest quietly for a few
days, and you will be all right."
Don't let your imagination run away with
you! Rest quietly for a few days! When I have grown fat,
naturally they will have more to eat; but what good will
it do me, or how can it be "all right"? All these
people wanting to eat human flesh and at the same time stealthily
trying to keep up appearances, not daring to act promptly,
really made me nearly die of laughter. I could not help
roaring with laughter, I was so amused. I knew that in this
laughter were courage and integrity. Both the old man and
my brother turned pale, awed by my courage and integrity.
But just because I am brave they are the more eager to eat
me, in order to acquire some of my courage. The old man
went out of the gate, but before he had gone far he said
to my brother in a low voice, "To be eaten at once!"
And my brother nodded. So you are in it too! This stupendous
discovery, although it came as a shock, is yet no more than
I had expected: the accomplice in eating me is my elder
brother!
The eater of human flesh is my elder brother!
I am the younger brother of an eater of
human flesh!
I myself will be eaten by others, but none
the less I am the younger brother of an eater of human flesh!
