Story Summary
Discover the legendary Japanese folktale of The Straw Millionaire, where a poor man turns a single piece of straw into a vast fortune through luck and kindness.
Long ago in Japan, a destitute man prayed to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, for relief from his poverty. Kannon spoke to him in a dream, telling him to leave the temple and keep the very first thing his hand touched upon the ground. As he stepped outside, he tripped and his hand landed on a single piece of straw. Though it seemed worthless, he remembered the Goddess's words and kept it. While walking, a horsefly began buzzing around him; he caught it and tied it to the straw. A crying child saw the toy and stopped weeping; in gratitude, the child's mother gave the man three oranges. Later, he met a thirsty noblewoman who was fainting in the heat. He offered her his oranges for refreshment, and she rewarded him with three bolts of fine silk. Further down the road, he encountered a samurai with a dying horse. He traded his silk for the horse, nursed it back to health, and eventually traded the strong animal to a wealthy landlord for a field and a house. Through a sequence of selfless gestures and divine luck, the man who started with nothing but a straw became a wealthy and respected landowner.
The Moral
Great fortune can grow from the smallest beginnings when one acts with kindness, mindfulness, and a willingness to help others.
“Do not despise the small things, for a single straw may be the seed of a great fortune.”
Fun Fact
This story is known in Japan as 'Warashibe Chōja' and is a primary example of the 'Succession Loop' narrative found in the 12th-century collection Konjaku Monogatarishū.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Straw Millionaire?
The moral is that even the most insignificant items can lead to great success if handled with care and generosity. It teaches that luck favors those who are observant and willing to help others in need.
Who is the Goddess Kannon in the story?
Kannon is the Buddhist Bodhisattva of Mercy and Compassion. In this tale, she acts as the divine guide who provides the protagonist with his initial instructions and blesses his journey.
What was the very first trade the man made?
After catching a horsefly and tying it to his piece of straw to make a toy, the man traded it to a mother to comfort her crying child. In return, the mother gave him three oranges.
Is The Straw Millionaire a real person from history?
The story is a classic folktale rather than a biography of a specific historical figure. It belongs to a genre of 'succession stories' found in many cultures where a hero trades up from nothing to wealth.
What does the straw represent in the story?
The straw represents the power of faith and the potential inherent in small opportunities. It symbolizes the idea that nothing is truly worthless if one has the wisdom to see its value.
How did the man eventually become a millionaire?
He became a 'millionaire' (or wealthy landowner) by trading a horse he had nursed back to health for a large estate. This was the final step in a chain of trades starting with a single piece of straw.