Strong in the Rain

Strong in the rain

Strong in the wind

Strong against the summer heat

and snow

He is healthy and robust

Free from desire

He never loses his temper

Nor the quiet smile on his lips

He eats four gō of unpolished rice

Miso and a few vegetables a day

He does not consider himself

In whatever occurs ... his

understanding

Comes from observation and

experience

And he never loses sight of things

He lives in a little thatched-roof hut

In a field in the shadows of a pine

tree grove

If there is a sick child in the east

He goes there to nurse the child

If there's a tired mother in the west

He goes to her and carries her sheaves

If someone is near death in the south

He goes and says, "Don't be afraid"

If there are strife and lawsuits in

the north

He demands that the people put

an end to their pettiness

He weeps at the time of drought

He plods about at a loss during

the cold summer

Everyone calls him "Blockhead"

No one sings his praises

Or takes him to heart

That is the kind of person

I want to be

Translated by Roger Pulvers (* One gō of rice is equivalent to about 150 grams)