A touching and whimsical story unfolds when an old man heads up a mountain to gather firewood. While working, he hears an eerie chorus of voices chanting and, intrigued by the mysterious sound, follows it deep into the woods. There, he comes upon a surprising sight: a sumo match taking place in a clearing, with a slender mouse and a larger mouse engaged in a fierce competition.
The old man, captivated by the event, realizes that the slender mouse he sees is one that lives in his own house, while the larger mouse belongs to a wealthy man's residence. As he watches, he cheers for the smaller mouse, but it is quickly flung out of the ring due to its size and weakness. This scene leaves him feeling both amazed and sympathetic, especially as he laments to his wife about not having enough delicious food to help the tiny mouse grow stronger.
Moved by his story, his wife decides they should share what little rice they have left for the New Year by making rice cakes for the mouse, leaving them on a shelf for the tiny creature to find. The next morning, the rice cakes are gone, which reassures the couple that their gesture has helped the mouse.
The following day, the old man once again hears the strange chanting, and he rushes to the same clearing where he witnesses the same sumo match. However, this time, the slender mouse easily topples the larger opponent, showcasing newfound strength. The larger mouse, furious and envious, demands to know how the smaller mouse gained such power. The slender mouse confesses that it’s thanks to the rice cakes, which it received from the old couple.
The larger mouse, who comes from a well-off but stingy household, asks to visit the old couple’s home to share in similar treats, under the condition that he brings a large sum of money. The old man quickly returns home to inform his wife, who suggests making more rice cakes and even leaves out two loincloths for the mice. They also find three gold coins left behind — likely a gift from the wealthy mouse, appreciating their kindness.
The story continues with the old couple returning to the mountain for another sumo match, where they see two robust mice dressed in red loincloths. The mice grapple fiercely, and the fight lasts until evening, both equally strong and determined. As they leave, the couple feels satisfied, believing they’ve done a good deed and helped the mice grow stronger. The gold coins left by the wealthy mouse symbolize their good fortune, and with this newfound wealth, the old couple lives happily ever after.
This charming tale highlights themes of kindness, generosity, and the unexpected rewards that come from caring for others, no matter how small they may be. Through their simple act of sharing rice cakes, the couple experiences a series of fortunate events that bring happiness and prosperity into their lives.
