In the world of Japanese folktales, few stories carry a moral as vivid and enduring as The Old Man with the Lump. Blending magical realism with raw human emotion, this tale has been passed down through generations and offers timeless lessons about humility, envy, and the simple joy of being oneself.
Long ago, in a peaceful mountain village, two elderly men lived side by side. Both bore a large, noticeable lump on one side of their face. One day, one of the men went deep into the forest to collect firewood and lost track of time. As night fell, he heard the distant sound of drums and laughter echoing through the trees. Curious and a little nervous, he followed the sound and came upon a group of oni, mischievous Japanese forest demons, dancing joyfully around a fire. At first, he hid, but the music was so infectious and the celebration so lively that he couldn’t resist. Eventually, he stepped out and joined in.
To the old man’s surprise, his dancing was so spirited and heartfelt that the demons clapped and cheered, thrilled by his joyful moves. One demon shouted, “You’re an amazing dancer! Come back tomorrow night!” As a sign of trust and expectation, they removed the lump from his face and said, “We’ll hold on to this until you come back.” Overwhelmed with happiness, the man returned home lighter in both body and spirit.
His neighbor was stunned when he saw the man's face, smooth and lump-free. After hearing the story, jealousy quickly took root in his heart. Wanting the same reward, the second old man ventured into the forest the very next evening, hoping to mimic the experience. He found the same group of demons and stepped into the clearing. Mistaking him for their beloved dancer, the oni encouraged him to join in.
But this man moved with no joy, no rhythm, and no sincerity. His dancing was stiff, nervous, and empty, revealing that he was only there out of greed. The demons grew annoyed and disappointed. “You’ve lost your spark,” one of them said coldly. “Fine. Take this back.” They hurled the original lump at him and, to teach him a lesson, they stuck it onto the opposite side of his face. Now burdened with two lumps instead of one, the man returned home ashamed, his jealousy now visible for all to see.
This story, though whimsical and strange on the surface, holds a powerful message. True blessings come not from copying others but from living with honesty, joy, and gratitude. When we act with genuine spirit, even demons may dance with us. But when we are led by envy and greed, our efforts can backfire painfully.
The Old Man with the Lump reminds us that joy shared from the heart is powerful, while imitation without soul only leads to disappointment. In the end, it is not about what we take, but what we bring into every moment.