cradli

        One day a noble crane came to visit. He was a strong man, and quisk with his katana too. He came , and sat to relax. He ask the geisa to bring him some hot tea.
        As he sat in wiat for his sooooothing tea , he saw a lion at the center table indulging in his favored sake. The lion was with company , another lion and three geisa. At first the crane was appaled by the lion and his filthy antics. For the lion was a descrace to his clan acting as he did.
        Finally his tea came and the geisa sat beside him to serve him. "how long has that lion been drinking." asked the crane."since early this morning my lord."she replied. Shaking his head in disbelife the crane sighed.
         The lion saw the crane and asked if he would join them in a little discusion. "The only discusion I would have with a dog like you would be one with my katana in your belly."the crane stated.
          The lion rose quickly to his feet and challenged the crane to a duel."Weee swillll shhheee kkraaaaane!!! Whhhhose kaaatannna swillll be innn whhhhose belllllly." the lion said with a slure in his speach.
          The two left the sakehouse to duel outside . Or should I say one walked and the other stumbled. Once out side they distanced each other five feet apart. Or actually the crane stood in one spot while the lion had help from his freind to his spot.
          The crane looked at the lion sway back and forth, over and over. He was not sure what the lion would do. The lion tried to quickly draw his blade but stumbled forward into a fall. The crane saw the lion try to draw and drew his blade. The crane swung at the lion, but didn't notice that the lion would fall forward.
          The lion's fall saved his life and on the ground the lion finally had his katana free and swung at the crane who was still recovering from his overextended swing.
          The crane fell to his knees a surprized look on his face. Finally his lifeless body fell to the cold earth.

The Crane, and The Drunkin Lion

Part One

Part Two

            The lion gained much honor for killing such a notable foe. But he would not gain it, for he was a drunkerd, and brought dishonor to himself. He was a coward and would not commit suppuku to save face. But all that would change in due time.
             A man that had more dishonor in him than any other came that day. He was a wave man , a masterless evoy of death and hatered. He looked upon the body of the fallen crane and gave a evil grin. Than with a snarl he headed to the Sakehouse doors.
             The lion still in awe of what he has done, does not notice the man he passed him. For the lion was to busy bringing dishonor to himself by vomiting in front of everyone.
              The local magistrate came to collect the story of what occered in the recent events. They questioned the lion thouroly about what had happened, but it was his friend that did the most talking.
              After the magistrate collected the story they deemed it not important and everyone went about their normal activitys. Thuse the lion went back to the sakehouseto fill his belly with warm sake once again. But he ran into the wave man as he stumble to his table.
              The ronin was outraged by this display of disrespect that the lion had. The lion backed up a bit and the ronin stood. He challenged the lion to a duel, and the lion happily agreed. For if he could run throough a notable crane than a mere ronin would be no contest in his drunkan state.
              They stood apart from one another, as like any Iajutsu duel. The lion was feeling better since the duel against the crane for he had not been drinking for some time now. And the ronin did not move or he did but the lion could not tell. Before the lion could judge the ronin completly. He felt his sword arm slide off from his shoulder and then te pain came as he realized that he had no right arm and blood was spuing from the lost lim and sholder.
             Then he felt a sharp pain run through his chest, and his body slide down on the blade limp. The lion did not live to see his honor lost, but was honored in death by a duel.
              Later the ronin was rehonored by his clan by killing his brothers killer. He never lost foaver with the crane clan again.