Gratitude of the Same'bito 63 



bright and beautiful, became jewels of inesti- 

 mable price, rubies splendid as crimson fire. For 

 when men of the sea weep, their tears become 

 precious stones. 



Then Totaro, beholding this marvel, was so 

 amazed and overjoyed that his strength returned 

 to him. He sprang from his bed, and began to 

 pick up and to count the tears of the Shark -Man, 

 crying out the while : " My sickness is cured ! 

 I shall live ! I shall live ! " 



Therewith, the Shark -Man, greatly astonished, 

 ceased to weep, and asked Totaro to explain this 

 wonderful cure ; and Totaro told him about the 

 young person seen at Miidera, and about the 

 extraordinary marriage-gift demanded by her 

 family. " As I felt sure," added Totaro, " that 

 I should never be able to get ten thousand jewels, 

 I supposed that my suit would be hopeless. 

 Then I became very unhappy, and at last fell 

 sick. But now, because of your generous weep- 

 ing, I have many precious stones; and I think 

 that I shall be able to marry that girl. Only 

 there are not yet quite enough stones; and I 

 beg that you will be good enough to weep a 

 little more, so as to make up the full number 

 required." 



