A story from the wonders of international children’s stories, collected and formulated by Toshio Ozawa. The story of Congratulations and Excellent is a tale from old Japanese stories, or more precisely, it is Japanese folklore from past times, which is taught to Japanese children until the end of elementary school. The story of Congratulations and Excellent is told as follows.
A Newborn: Once upon a time in ancient days, in ages of old, in one of the countries, there were two farmer couples. Their firstborn was a son, and they rejoiced greatly with him, saying to each other: As for the name, we must find him a beautiful name! And they named him Congratulations.
The Second Son: After many years, they had a second son. They said to each other: Since we named his older brother Congratulations, let’s find him a beautiful name too. And they named him Excellent.
After Years Passed and the Father’s Death: The parents grew up and began helping their father in work. One day, Congratulations went to the mountain to gather firewood. During his absence, the father died after being struck by a sudden illness. The younger brother Excellent didn’t know how to act!
Calling the Brother: Excellent, the younger brother, quickly went to call his brother. When he arrived there, he started calling, saying: Congratulaaaations, Congratulaaaations, Congratulaaaations… Our father has died!! Congratulaaaations, Congratulaaaations, Congratulaaaations… Our father has died!! Congratulaaaations, Congratulaaaations, Congratulaaaations… Our father has died!!
Excellent Goes Deep into the Village to Call His Brother Congratulations: There was no response from his brother, so he went deeper and deeper into the depths of the mountain, calling and shouting, saying: Congratulaaaations, Congratulaaaations, Congratulaaaations… Our father has died!! Congratulaaaations, Congratulaaaations, Congratulaaaations… Our father has died!! Congratulaaaations, Congratulaaaations, Congratulaaaations… Our father has died!!
The Village Residents’ Anger at Excellent: The village residents working in their mountain lands heard this and were astonished, saying: (What is this fool! He says Congratulations at his father’s death!!) Finally, after a little time, the older brother heard his younger brother’s call.
The Response of the Older Brother Congratulations and the Village Residents’ Anger: The older brother responded to his younger brother in a loud voice, saying: Exceeeeeeellent, correct that!! Exceeeeeeellent, correct that!! Exceeeeeeellent, correct that!! When the village residents heard this, they became angry and said: What is this other fool! He says Excellent at his father’s death!!
The Arrest of the Brothers Congratulations and Excellent: Then the two brothers, Congratulations and Excellent, were arrested and taken to the village leader, where they received their punishment of reprimand and harsh words from the village leader and his assistants. And thus ended the tale of Congratulations and Excellent.