【 The Old Man’s fart 】 Classic Japanese Folktale

In a humorous tale, an old man’s surprising flatulence fetches dinner, inspiring a neighbor to try the same. A story illustrating the perils of greed and blind imitation.

Japanese Title: Hettare-ji / 屁ったれ爺
Translation: The Old Man’s fart
Location: Aomori Prefecture

Contents

The Story of 【The Old Man’s fart 】

Once upon a time, there was an old man and an old woman living together.

On a fine day, while the old woman was drying wheat outside, a wild goose landed nearby. The old man, after indulging in too many buckwheat cakes, felt a strong urge to pass gas.

However, out of respect for his wife working nearby, he held it in by plugging his backside and decided to take a nap. Trying hard to hold it in, he eventually couldn’t resist any longer and let out a massive fart. The force of the flatulence blew the plug out, hitting the goose and instantly killing it.

That evening, as the couple enjoyed their goose soup, a neighborly old woman came over, chanting, “Warm the fire, warm the fire.”

The couple invited her in, saying, “We’ve stoked the fire and there’s also goose soup to share.” They offered her a bowl.

While savoring the soup, the neighbor asked, “How did you manage to catch this goose?”

The old woman replied, “Well, it’s quite a tale. My husband ate a lot of buckwheat cakes, felt the need to pass gas, so he plugged his behind. When he couldn’t hold it in any longer, the force of his flatulence sent the plug flying, striking the goose.”

The neighbor, amused and impressed, said, “This is delicious.” As she prepared to leave, she asked for another serving for her own husband, which they happily provided.

The next day, hoping to replicate their luck, the neighboring old woman made a large amount of buckwheat cakes and forced her husband to eat them.

She then plugged him up and laid him down to rest, hoping to attract a goose with her drying wheat. She waited and waited, but not a single goose landed. Growing impatient, she began shuffling the wheat about.

Hearing the rustling, her husband mistakenly thought a goose had landed and released a mighty fart. The plug flew out with great force, hitting the old woman and tragically killing her.

When the old man awoke, he called out, “Wife, wife! Did we catch a goose?” Coming out to see, he found his wife had passed away.

The story teaches us that greed and imitation can lead to unintended consequences.

Notes of 【The Old Man’s fart 】

Cultural Background

Humor in Folktales

Japanese folktales, like tales from other cultures, often use humor to deliver moral lessons. This story combines slapstick humor with a sobering message about the dangers of imitation without understanding.

Rural Setting

The tale reflects the simplicity of rural life in old Japan, where the drying of grains and the consumption of buckwheat cakes were common practices.

Neighborly Interactions

The close-knit nature of communities meant that events in one household could quickly become known or influence others, leading to shared experiences and stories.

Glossary

TERM

Buckwheat Cakes

Known as “soba” in Japan, these are cakes or noodles made from buckwheat flour. They are a traditional food and can cause gas if consumed in large quantities.