The Wonderful Tea-Kettle
by Unknown · from Tales of Laughter: A third fairy book
Adapted Version
A kind priest lived. He liked to make tea. He found a nice kettle. It was old and pretty. He bought it for his tea. He liked its shape.
The Priest slept. The kettle moved. It grew a head and a tail. Four feet came out. It had soft fur. It danced around the room. Young helpers saw it. They were very surprised.
The Priest woke up. The kettle was still. It looked normal. His helpers told him. He did not believe them. "That is not true," he said. He thought they were silly.
The Priest put the kettle on fire. He wanted hot tea. The water got very hot. The kettle said, "Hot! Hot!" It jumped off the fire. The Priest was scared. He saw it was magic.
The Priest was very scared. He did not want the kettle. He sold it to The Tinker. The Tinker fixed pots. He bought the kettle cheap. He paid little money.
The Tinker took the kettle home. It changed again. It had a head and feet. It had a bushy tail. It talked to The Tinker. "Hello," it said. "I am Bumbuku the Kettle. I bring good luck. Be kind to me."
Bumbuku the Kettle was hungry. "Give me good food," it said. "Give me some drink." It also said, "I can help you." I will work for you."
The Tinker was kind. He gave Bumbuku food. He gave Bumbuku drink. Bumbuku was happy. Bumbuku said, "Let us make a show. We can travel and perform."
The Tinker made a show. It was called Bumbuku Show. Bumbuku the Kettle danced. It walked on a rope. It did many fun tricks. People loved the show.
Many people came to see Bumbuku. They came each day. Kings and queens came too. The show was much liked. The Tinker got much money. He became very rich. Bumbuku brought good luck.
The Tinker grew old. He was very rich now. He was thankful to Bumbuku. He took Bumbuku to the temple. He gave the temple much money. He wanted Bumbuku to rest.
Bumbuku the Kettle stayed there. It was a special treasure. All loved Bumbuku. It was a very special kettle. Bumbuku was a special friend. Bumbuku was happy.
Original Story
The Wonderful Tea-Kettle
A long, long time ago, at the temple of Morinji, in the province of Kotsuke, there lived an old priest.
This old priest was very fond of the ceremonial preparing and drinking of tea known as Chanoyu; indeed, it was his chief interest and pleasure in life to conduct this ceremony.
One day he chanced to find in a second-hand shop a very nice-looking old Tea-kettle, which he bought and took home with him, highly pleased by its fine shape and artistic appearance.
Next day he brought out his new purchase, and sat for a long time turning it round on this side and on that, and admiring it.
“You are a regular beauty, that’s what you are,” he said; “I shall invite all my friends to the Chanoyu, and how astonished they will be at finding such an exquisite kettle as this!”
He placed his treasure on the top of a box where he could see it to the best advantage, and sat admiring it and planning how he should invite his guests. After a while he became drowsy and began to nod, and at last fell forward, his head on his desk, fast asleep.
Then a wonderful transformation took place. The Tea-kettle began to move. From its spout appeared a hairy head; at the other side out came a fine bushy tail; next, four feet made themselves visible, while fine fur seemed gradually to cover the surface of the kettle. At last, jumping off the box, it began capering about the room for all the world just like a badger.
Three young novices, pupils of the priest, who were at study in the next room, heard the noise; and, when one of them 418peeped through the sliding doors, what was his astonishment to see the Tea-kettle on four feet dancing up and down the room!
He cried out: “Oh! what a wonderful thing! The Tea-kettle is changed into a badger!”
“What!” said the second novice. “Do you mean to say that the Tea-kettle is turned into a badger? What nonsense!” So saying, he pushed his companion to one side and peeped in, but he also was terrified by what he saw, and screamed: “It’s a goblin! It’s coming at us; let us run away!”
The third novice was not so easily frightened.
“Come, this is rather fun,” said he; “how the creature does jump, to be sure! I will rouse the master, and let him see, too.”
So he went into the room and shook the priest, crying: “Wake! Master, wake! A strange thing has happened.”
“What’s the matter?” said the old man, drowsily rubbing his eyes, “what a noisy fellow you are!”
“Any one would be noisy when such a strange thing as this is going on,” said the novice. “Only look, master, your Tea-kettle has got feet, and is running about.”
“What! what! what! What’s that you say?” asked the priest again. “The kettle got feet! What’s this! Let me see!”
But by the time the old man was thoroughly roused, the Tea-kettle had turned into its ordinary shape, and stood quietly on its box again.
“What foolish young fellows you are!” said the priest. “There stands a kettle on the top of a box; surely there is nothing very strange in that. No, no, I have heard of the rolling-pin that grew a pair of wings and flew away, but, long as I have lived, never have I heard before of a tea-kettle walking about on its own feet. You will never make me believe that.”
But for all that, the priest was a little uneasy in his mind, and kept thinking of the incident all that day. When evening came, and he was alone in his room, he took down the kettle, 419filled it with water, and set it upon the embers to boil, intending to make some tea. But, as soon as the water began to boil, “Hot! hot!” cried the kettle, and jumped off the fire.
“Help! help!” cried the priest, terrified out of his wits. But when the novices rushed to his help, the kettle at once resumed its natural form; so one of them, seizing a stick, cried, “We’ll soon find out whether it’s alive or not,” and began beating it with might and main. There was evidently no life in the thing, and only a metallic clang! clang! responded to his lusty blows.
Then the old priest heartily repented having bought the mischievous Tea-kettle, and was debating in his own mind how he should get rid of it when who should drop in but the tinker?
“Here’s the very man,” thought the priest. A bargain was soon struck; the tinker bought the Tea-kettle for a few coppers, and carried it home, well pleased with his purchase.
Before going to bed he took another look at it, and found it still better than he had at first thought, so he went to sleep that night in the best of spirits.
In the midst of a pleasant dream the tinker suddenly started up, thinking he heard somebody moving in the room, but, when he opened his eyes and looked about, he could see nobody.
“It was only a dream, I suppose,” said he to himself as he turned over and went to sleep again.
But he was disturbed once more by some one calling: “Tinker! tinker! Get up! get up!”
This time he sprang up, wide awake, and lo and behold! there was the Tea-kettle, with the head, tail, feet, and fur of a badger strutting up and down the room!
“Goblin! goblin!” shrieked the tinker. But the Tea-kettle laughed and said:
“Don’t be frightened, my dear tinker. I am not a goblin, only a wonderful tea-kettle. My name is Bumbuku-Chagama, and I will bring good luck to any one who treats me well; but, of course, I don’t like to be set on the fire, and then 420beaten with sticks, as happened to me up at the temple yesterday.”
“How can I please you, then?” asked the tinker. “Shall I keep you in a box?”
“Oh! no, no!” answered the Tea-kettle; “I like nice sweet things to eat, and sometimes a little wine to drink, just like yourself. Will you keep me in your house and feed me? And, as I would not be a burden upon you, I will work for you in any way you like.”
To this the tinker agreed.
Next morning he provided a good feast for Bumbuku, who then spoke:
“I certainly am a wonderful and accomplished Tea-kettle, and my advice is that you take me round the country as a show, with accompaniments of singing and music.”
The tinker, thinking well of this advice, at once started a show, which he named the Bumbuku-Chagama. The lucky Tea-kettle at once made the affair a success, for not only did he walk about on four legs, but he danced the tight rope, and went through all kinds of acrobatic performances, ending by making a profound bow to the spectators, and begging for their future patronage.
The fame of these performances soon spread abroad, and the theater was filled daily to overflowing until, at length, even the princes of the land sent to order the tinker and his kettle to come to them, and the show would take place, to the great delight of the princesses and ladies of the court.
At last the tinker grew so rich that he retired from business, and, wishing his faithful kettle also to be at rest, he took it back, together with a large share of his wealth, to the temple of Morinji, where it was laid up as a precious treasure and, some say, even worshiped as a saint.
Story DNA
Moral
Treating others, even inanimate objects, with kindness and respect can bring unexpected rewards and good fortune.
Plot Summary
An old priest buys a beautiful tea-kettle, which secretly transforms into a badger-like creature when he sleeps, terrifying his novices. When the kettle jumps off the fire, confirming its magic, the frightened priest sells it to a tinker. The kettle, named Bumbuku-Chagama, reveals its true nature to the tinker, promising good luck if treated well. Together, they create a wildly successful traveling show where Bumbuku performs acrobatics, making the tinker rich. In gratitude, the tinker retires and returns Bumbuku to the temple, where it is enshrined as a revered treasure.
Themes
Emotional Arc
fear to wonder to prosperity
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This story is a famous Japanese folk tale, often featuring a 'tanuki' (raccoon dog) rather than a badger, known for its shapeshifting abilities. The Morinji temple is a real place that claims to house the original Bumbuku Chagama.
Plot Beats (12)
- An old priest buys a beautiful old tea-kettle for his Chanoyu ceremony.
- While the priest naps, the tea-kettle transforms into a badger-like creature and dances around the room, witnessed by his novices.
- The priest, upon waking, dismisses the novices' claims as nonsense, as the kettle has returned to its normal state.
- Later, when the priest tries to boil water in the kettle, it cries 'Hot!' and jumps off the fire, confirming its magical nature.
- Frightened, the priest sells the 'mischievous' tea-kettle to a tinker for a small sum.
- The tea-kettle transforms again in the tinker's home and speaks, introducing itself as Bumbuku-Chagama, a wonderful tea-kettle that brings good luck if treated kindly.
- Bumbuku asks the tinker for food and wine and offers to work for him.
- The tinker agrees and feeds Bumbuku, who then suggests they start a traveling show.
- The tinker creates the 'Bumbuku-Chagama' show, where the kettle performs various acrobatic feats, including tightrope walking.
- The show becomes incredibly popular and successful, drawing large crowds and even royalty, making the tinker very rich.
- The wealthy tinker retires and, out of gratitude, returns Bumbuku and a large portion of his fortune to the Morinji temple.
- At the temple, Bumbuku-Chagama is laid up as a precious treasure and is even worshiped as a saint.
Characters
The Old Priest
A man of advanced years, likely of average height and a somewhat frail build, consistent with a monastic lifestyle. His features would show the wisdom and serenity of a life dedicated to spiritual practice.
Attire: Simple, traditional Japanese Buddhist monk's robes (koromo) in muted tones like grey, brown, or black, made of coarse linen or cotton. He would wear a wide-sleeved outer robe (kesa) draped over one shoulder during ceremonies.
Wants: To find pleasure and spiritual fulfillment in the Chanoyu ceremony; to live a peaceful life.
Flaw: Easily frightened and quick to dismiss the supernatural when it challenges his understanding.
He initially acquires the kettle with joy, experiences fear and disbelief when its true nature is revealed, and ultimately sells it, regretting his purchase.
Devout, appreciative of beauty, easily startled, somewhat skeptical, regretful.
Bumbuku-Chagama (The Wonderful Tea-Kettle)
Initially appears as a finely shaped, artistic old bronze or iron tea-kettle. When transformed, it sprouts a hairy badger-like head from its spout, a bushy tail from the opposite side, and four small, sturdy feet. Its surface becomes covered in fine, reddish-brown fur, resembling a tanuki.
Attire: None, as it is a tea-kettle. Its 'clothing' is its own transformed body.
Wants: To be treated well, fed, and appreciated; to use its talents to bring good fortune to its owner.
Flaw: Vulnerable to heat and physical abuse; its true nature is easily hidden, leading to initial misunderstanding.
Starts as a hidden magical object, is mistreated, finds a kind owner, becomes a famous performer, and eventually retires to a place of honor and worship.
Mischievous, intelligent, sensitive to mistreatment, appreciative of kindness, ambitious, talented, loyal.
The Tinker
A working-class man, likely of average height and a sturdy build from his trade. His hands would be calloused and strong. His face would show the wear of outdoor work and travel.
Attire: Simple, durable Japanese peasant clothing: a dark blue or brown cotton kimono, perhaps with a short, practical work jacket (hanten) over it. He might wear straw sandals (zori) or geta (wooden clogs). His clothes would be functional, possibly patched, but clean.
Wants: To earn a living, find good bargains, and improve his circumstances.
Flaw: Initially startled by the supernatural, but quickly adapts.
Starts as a humble tinker, acquires the magical kettle, becomes a wealthy showman through its talents, and eventually retires in comfort, returning the kettle to a place of honor.
Practical, astute, kind-hearted, entrepreneurial, open-minded, grateful.
Locations
Priest's Room at Morinji Temple
A traditional Japanese temple room, likely with tatami mat flooring, shoji screens for walls, and a low wooden desk where the priest works. The room is quiet and used for study and tea ceremonies.
Mood: Initially peaceful and scholarly, then becomes chaotic and bewildered.
The tea-kettle first transforms into a badger, startling the priest and novices. Later, it cries out when placed on the fire.
Tinker's Humble Home
A simple, rustic Japanese home, likely a small, single room with basic furnishings. It would have a dirt or packed earth floor in some areas, and perhaps a raised wooden platform for sleeping. The space is modest and functional.
Mood: Initially peaceful and hopeful, then shifts to shock and wonder, finally becoming a place of negotiation and agreement.
The tea-kettle fully reveals its badger form and speaks to the tinker, establishing their partnership.
Traveling Show Stage
A makeshift stage set up in various locations across the Japanese countryside, possibly in village squares or temple grounds. It would be a simple raised platform, perhaps with colorful banners or a painted backdrop, designed to attract and entertain crowds.
Mood: Lively, festive, wondrous, filled with anticipation and delight.
Bumbuku-Chagama performs its acrobatic feats, bringing fame and fortune to the tinker.