The Story of Tanabata

This is the story of Tanabata (the 7th Day of the 7th Month).

A long, long time ago, in Heaven there was living a God. His daughter was alone, and her name was Orihime. Orihime was very serious; every day she woke up early and performed weaving.

One day, God thought to himself, "Orihime is already an adult. She should probably get married."

God looked for a serious man. On the other side of the Milky Way there was living a man; his name was Hikoboshi. Hikoboshi worked with cows on a farm.

Orihime and Hikoboshi became married. The two fell in love. They were always together though they didn't work.

God became angry. But, the two still did not work a job.

God, very angry, took Orihime back home. The two did not want to be separated. Orihime wanted to meet Hikoboshi, and so she cried every day.

God thought the two were pitiful, and so he said: "Orihime, Hikoboshi, you may meet one day a year. That will be the evening of the 7th day of the 7th month. Orihime, on that day you may go to the other side of the Milky Way. But, you must return by morning."

One day a year, on the evening of Tanabata, Orihime and Hikoboshi meet. Thus, their wish had been realized.