のうとつゆの話

The story of Nou and Tsuyu

The story of Nou and Tsuyu
昔、岐阜県の坂下という村に「のう」という大きな化け物がいました

A long time ago, in a village called Sakashita in Gifu Prefecture, there was a large monster called "Nou".

A long time ago, in a village called Sakashita in Gifu Prefecture, there was a large monster called "Nou".
のうは木曽川の水をたくさん飲むと言われていましたが、正体は誰も知りませんでした

It was said that Nou drank a lot of water from the Kiso River, but no one knew the truth.

It was said that Nou drank a lot of water from the Kiso River, but no one knew the truth.
嵐が強い年、村の人たちは「のうが暴れている」と話しました

In the year when the storms were strong, the villagers said that the storms were rampaging.

In the year when the storms were strong, the villagers said that the storms were rampaging.
のうを静かにするためには、村で一番きれいな娘をささげなければなりませんでした

In order to make Nou quiet, he had to sacrifice the prettiest girl in the village.

In order to make Nou quiet, he had to sacrifice the prettiest girl in the village.
ある年、また大きな嵐が来ました

One year, another big storm came.

One year, another big storm came.
でも、村には「つゆ」という娘しか残っていませんでした

But there was only a girl named Tsuyu left in the village.

But there was only a girl named Tsuyu left in the village.
つゆはあまり美人ではありませんでしたが、村の人たちのために自分からのうのところへ行くと言いました

Tsuyu was not very beautiful, but she said she would go to Nou for the sake of the villagers.

Tsuyu was not very beautiful, but she said she would go to Nou for the sake of the villagers.
お母さんや村の人は止めましたが、つゆは一人で山へ行きました

Her mother and the villagers stopped her, but Tsuyu went to the mountain by herself.

Her mother and the villagers stopped her, but Tsuyu went to the mountain by herself.
山の上でのうが現れ、つゆを見てとても喜びました

A nou appeared on top of the mountain and was very happy to see Tsuyu.

A nou appeared on top of the mountain and was very happy to see Tsuyu.
つゆはこわかったですが、「私を食べたら、もう暴れないでください」とお願いいしました

Tsuyu was scared, but she begged him, "If you eat me, please don't get mad anymore."

Tsuyu was scared, but she begged him, "If you eat me, please don't get mad anymore."
のうは「お前はとてもかわいい娘だ」と言って、つゆを大切にしました

Nou said, ``You are a very cute girl,'' and cherished Tsuyu.

Nou said, ``You are a very cute girl,'' and cherished Tsuyu.
次の日の朝、つゆと、今までのうにささげられた娘たちが村に帰ってきました

The next morning, Tsuyu and the girls who had been sacrificed to the sea urchins returned to the village.

The next morning, Tsuyu and the girls who had been sacrificed to the sea urchins returned to the village.
村の人たちはとても喜びました

The villagers were very happy.

The villagers were very happy.
つゆは「のうは、私のような娘が最初から来てくれたら暴れなかったと言いました

Tsuyu said, ``Nou said that if a girl like me had come from the beginning, she wouldn't have become violent.''

Tsuyu said, ``Nou said that if a girl like me had come from the beginning, she wouldn't have become violent.''
だから、今まで食べた娘たちを返してくれとお願いいしました」と話しました

That's why I asked for the girls I've eaten so far to be returned to me."

That's why I asked for the girls I've eaten so far to be returned to me."
その後、のうはもう暴れなくなり、たまに村に来ても、つゆがにらむとすぐにおとなしくなりました

After that, Nou no longer became violent, and even when he occasionally came to the village, he calmed down as soon as Tsuyu glared at him.

After that, Nou no longer became violent, and even when he occasionally came to the village, he calmed down as soon as Tsuyu glared at him.
やがて、のうは大きな足跡を残してどこかへ行ってしまい、その足跡は池になりました

Eventually, Nou left behind big footprints somewhere, and those footprints turned into a pond.

Eventually, Nou left behind big footprints somewhere, and those footprints turned into a pond.
村の人たちはその池を「のうが池」と呼んでいます

The villagers call the pond "Nougaike"

The villagers call the pond "Nougaike"