Tale 83: Push and Pull (Ash)

(real tale: "Folktales from Japan" episode 33, story 3)

"There were once three brothers that lived in a certain village." Ash begins. "They made their keep making ink, and so they prayed to Celebi every day before gathering herbs to make ink."

"As should everyone that gathers herbs, wood, and flowers from the woods." Melody muses. "Celebi is the Voice of the Forest, after all."

"One day, the eldest brother went into town to sell the ink and buy food and supplies." Ash continues. "It took him all day to get everything, so it was very late when he started for home. As he walked on the path, he heard some odd singing in the distance, and so he followed it thinking it was Meloetta."

"W-what was it?" Misty is a little nervous.

"It turned out to be a ghost, who tried to capture him!" Ash announces, making Pikachu and the babies yelp in fear.

Ash is quick to assure them. "Luckily, the eldest brother escaped, and made it home, where he told his brothers what happened."

Pikachu heaves a sigh of relief. "His brothers noticed he dropped the food and supplies in the confusion." Ash continues. "The eldest brother was too scared to go back, so the middle brother went to get the missing food and supplies."

"Did he see the ghost too?" Brock is piqued.

Ash nods. "The middle brother encountered the ghost too, and also came running back scared. He told his brothers that he heard the ghost saying what he thought was "push" and "pull" as it chased him.

[How odd...] Mai purrs.

[What did that mean?] Korra is just as piqued.

"The youngest brother thought about what his brother had said as he traveled down the path." Ash replies. "When the ghost appeared, he declared 'I'm not afraid of you!'" He turns his cap back for emphasis. "As the ghost swirled around him, he concluded "push" meant people pushing the ghost away as they fled, and "pull" meant the ghost pulling them close so it could possess them!"

Misty yelps as thunder rumbles outside, but Brock is unfazed. "Nice touch."

"The youngest brother invited the ghost to climb on his back." Ash continues. "When the ghost complied, it lit up the area so brightly, his brothers thought it was morning. As the youngest brother struggled with the ghost, he pleaded with Arceus and Celebi to help them all."

"And then?" Melody swallows hard.

"Celebi appeared and carried the ghost away to the heavens." Ash assures his audience. "As the brothers watched Celebi fly off, gold began raining from the sky. They concluded the ghost was one of a rich man, and the coins were coins he never spent."

He concludes "They gave most of the money to the poor, but kept enough for them to never worry about food or money again. Yet they always give thanks to Celebi for protecting them that night."

Brock's applause is the loudest. "Well done, Ash--you had ME scared for a minute there..."