Shinjo Yul untitled 1
19 August 2005
by Dan Allen

Yul bowed his head. All was quiet as he reflected upon the day's events. How foolish he felt. How directionless. How had he arrived at this point? He came to honor his daimyo, and in turn bring honor to his discredited family. Instead, he displayed woeful incompetence.

As he sat, a cool breeze blew through the a small portal, bringing with it sharp smell of blossoming orchids. The smell pierced him, calming his thoughts and emotions. He sat another moment, allowing the smell to penetrate all of his senses, and then a moment longer.

Once again composed, he arose to find his companions, only to find a small note at his door which read: "A man must find his place in life, or he is a wandering fool, never content, never at peace, bringing discord with him wherever he goes." A painful retort to his previous course of action, yet true. Yul thought to himself that he must find his place before he brings further dishonor to his family. After all, was it not because his ancestor knew not his proper place that he brought such great trouble to the Unicorn clan and such dishonor to his family?

Walking alone, Yul hoped to find a new direction. As he passed the children playing in the streets, innocent to the work that others do to make their playing possible, he turned his attention to the workers of the fields. As they toiled in the morning sun, they called their children to help them with their task. Not hesitating, the children ran to their families. Their great loyalty left an impression on Shinjo Yul. Can he forget his own agenda and completely serve his daimyo?

In order to remember his feelings, Yul scribed the words:

the children playing
parents calling from fields
once again stillness