The Stonecutter

The Stonecutter

Long ago there lived a poor stonecutter in Japan. Every day, he cut stone from a mountain. The stonecutter was proud of his work. He was very happy.

One day, he saw a merchant. The merchant had many beautiful things. The stonecutter was sad. He did not have any beautiful things.

" I wish I were a merchant, " he whispered. The spirit of the mountain heard him. Poof! He became a merchant.

A month went by. One day, he saw the emperor. The emperor had beautiful clothes. The stonecutter was sad. He did not have such beautiful clothes.

" I wish I were the emperor, " he said. The spirit of the mountain heard him. Poof! He became the emperor.