Prevod

A placard was set up in the imperial palace bearing the characters 無悪善. The emperor ordered Takamura to read it. “I can indeed read it, Your Majesty,” he replied, “but its meaning is so dreadful that I dare not utter it.” The emperor repeatedly commanded him to speak, until at last he said, “It reads, ‘Without Saga, all will be well.’ It is, therefore, a curse upon Your Majesty.” “Who but you could have written such a thing?” the emperor demanded. “That is precisely why I said I dared not read it,” Takamura replied. “Well, then,” said the emperor, “can you read anything that is written?” “Whatever it may be, I can read it,” he answered. The emperor had the character 子 written twelve times and ordered him to read them. Takamura read, “Neko no ko no koneko, shishi no ko no kojishi”—“A cat’s kitten, a lion’s cub.” The emperor smiled, and the matter ended without further trouble.