TheSheepMansChristmas

    byMURAKAMIHaruki

    TranslatedbyChristophorAllison

    Whileitwasyethighsummer,theSheepManwasaskedtoposesomemusicforChristmas.TheSheepManandhissheepvisitor,whohadetoaskhimtouakethepositioedprofuselyuheirsummersheepsuits.Aslongassummerlasted,theSheepManwasquitemiserable,becausehewasbutapoorsheepmanandcouldnotaffordanairditioner.Asthefanslappedaroundandaroundincircles,thesheepearsofthetwosheepfellowsflutteredsoftlyinthebreeze.

    “We,theSheepMen’scil,”begantheSheepMan’svisitor,unlooseniehiscollarsoastoallowthewindfromthefantoblowin,“everyyearseleesheep,blessedwithprodigiousmusicaltalent,tousihonourofourMostHolyPatron,theSheepSaint.ThismusicwillthencebeperformedonChristmasDay.Thisyear,happily,youhavebeenchosen.”

    “Oh,Isee,”saidtheSheepMan.

    “Thisyearespecially,itbeingthe2500thanniversaryofHispassing,wedesireparticularlysplendidmusic,befittingtothissacredevent,”hecluded.

    “Isee,Isee,”saidtheSheepMan,scratghisears.

    “Christmasisstillfourandahalfmonthsaway,”hethoughttohimself.“Withthatmuchtime,Icertainlyposesomemagnifitsheepmusic.”

    “I’llbehappytodoit.Youtonme,”hereplied,hischestswellingwithpride.“I’llcertainlydomybesttowriteexcellentsheepmusic.

    Septemberpassed,aoberandNovember,buttheSheepManhadn’tbeeobeginthemusicrequestedbytheSheepMen’scil.BecausetheSheepManworkedintheneighborhooddonutshop,hehadverylittletimetodevotetotheposition.Moreover,wheneverhebegantoplayhisramshackleoldpiano,thewifeofthebhouse’