Tale 69: The Gluttonous Ogre (Brock)

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan", episode 29, story 1)

"Just a word of warning--this tale might be a little scary." Brock cautions.

"I'm not scared!" Misty declares. "Unlike Mr. Scaredy-meowth over here..." she adds, gesturing to Ash.

"I am NOT a scaredy-meowth!" Ash retorts as everyone laughs.

"Said the one who had a death grip on my back during the last ghost story..." Misty deadpans, to more laughter.

Brock is unfazed by the argument. "Once a man--we'll call him Yuji--went into town and bought two Ponytas." he begins. "After buying some Magikarps to sacrifice to Arceus for his good fortune, he started on his way home. On the way through the mountain pass, the younger Ponyta began to tire. Yuji remembered hearing rumors in town that a monster appeared on the pass at night, but he figured since it was daytime, he'd be okay."

Nervous giggles fill the air. "But as he continued up the hill, an ogre met him on the path and demanded one of his Magikarps." Brock continues. "Yuji quickly complied, but the ogre was not satisfied, and demanded all of the Magikarps. Yuji protested that the Magikarps were to be a sacrifice to Arceus, but the ogre threatened to eat him if he did not comply."

Gasps go up as the small audience fears for Yuji. "Just then, Yuji remembered that Arceus liked just about any kind of fish for fortune offerings, so he decided he would just buy some Goldeens later." Brock assures his audience before continuing "The ogre was still not satisfied and demanded to eat one of the Ponytas."

"Boy, this ogre is a real glutton!" Ash comments, making nervous laughter fill the air.

Even Brock is laughing at Ash's wry observation, but he composes himself and continues. "When Yuji tried to protest, the ogre threatened to eat him if he did not comply. Eventually both Ponytas were eaten, but that was STILL not enough for the ogre--then he threatened to eat Yuji too!"

'Oh no's' race through the tent. "Yuji ran away with the ogre in hot pursuit. After running for a while, Yuji dove into a lake in an attempt to escape. The ogre tried to follow him, but he sank like a rock. This forced him to spit out the Ponytas-- who were unharmed--and flee back to the mountains."

Relieved sighs fill the air as Brock concludes "Yuji eventually made it home safely, and he sacrificed a whole Seaking as thanks for Arceus' protection and his good fortune."

"Why didn't Yuji just run to begin with?" Ash wonders as he applause.

"Pika pika pikachu?" Pikachu suggests.

Ash smiles. "Yeah, maybe Yuji was a scaredy-meowth!"