There was once a very lazy boy. And when everybody else had planted
out his paddy, he was only setting forth to plough. But the old man of
the season, [27] seeing him, said "The season has gone; what are you
ploughing for now? The paddy is all planted out, and it is late." But
the boy would not listen to him, and ploughed sturdily ahead, beating
his cattle soundly as he went. And when the old man again and again
questioned him, he cried "What sort of an old man is this? Can he not
see that I am busy? I know very well what I am about." But the old man
said gently "Nay, my son: but it is for your good that I would speak
to you." And the boy said "Speak quickly then, and have done with
it." And the old man said "My son, the season is gone, what avails
it to plough now?" And then the boy cried "Where has it gone? And
when has it gone? And why has it gone? And how shall I find it?" But
the old man of the season said "You should have ploughed when others
did. The season has gone, and no man can bring it back." But the boy
said "I must bring it back, else, how shall I eat, and how shall I
live? Do tell me where it is gone." And as he would not let the god go,
finally, losing patience, he said "You go over there, and you will find
an old man with a snow-white head ploughing in a field. You get hold
of him and do as he tells you." So saying, he made his escape. Then
the lad hastened home to his mother and bade her cook supper quickly,
and tie him up some rice to take with him on the morrow, for he was
going to bring back the departed season for ploughing.
"For" said he "when I was ploughing today, an old man told me that
the season was gone, and that if I went after him and pursued him I
would find him, and that I must do as he would tell me." So she rose
very early in the morning, and giving him to eat and drink, set him on
his way. And as he went, he asked all he met "Can you tell me where
the old man of the season has gone?" But they said "Every one knows
that the season is gone, but where it has gone, or why it has gone,
who can say?" At last, when he was nearly in despair, he saw an old
man ploughing afar off, and shouted to him "Stay a moment, father,
stay; I want to ask you a question." But the old man was busy, and went
his ways. But the lad pursued him and never ceased calling after him
till at last the old man, losing patience, turned upon him, and said
"What pertinacious noisy lad is this, who won't leave me alone?" But
the lad said "Be not angry, my father, I am fallen into great trouble,
and it behoves you to help me." "Speak quickly, then," said the old
man. And the boy said "I take you to be the old man of the season,
and I pray you not to slay me. All the others have planted out their
paddy, and I have fallen behind, and have planted nothing. Therefore,
unless you turn back, I cannot hope to get any harvest." But the old
man said "It is too late for me to return. Go you back, and plant your
paddy as best you can." And so the lad hastened back and planted out
his seedlings in such heedless haste as became him. And that's all!