A long time ago in a small village, a doctor was returning home after helping someone. He was riding his horse over a bridge when suddenly the horse stopped. The doctor looked around, but it was early evening dark and getting dark. He could not see much. Then, the horse started to walk backward. Maybe the horse was being pulled.
The doctor looked behind him carefully and saw a hand coming out from under the bridge, pulling the horse’s tail.
This must be a Kappa. The doctor drew his sword and cut off the arm that was pulling his horse’s tail.
Arghhh. There was a shout, and the sound of something jumping into the water.
The doctor jumped down from his horse and looked around. He found a green arm lying on the ground. The hand had webbed fingers. The doctor picked up the arm and took it home with him.
That night, the doctor was in bed when he heard someone knocking on the door. Ah, someone must be very sick, the doctor thought.
He opened the door, and had a big surprise. It was a sad-looking Kappa. The Kappa was standing there with only one arm.
The doctor shouted at the Kappa. You pulled my horse’s tail tonight. What are you doing here? The Kappa said, Well, sir, I’m sorry. I was trying to pull your horse into the river when you cutt off my arm. It was just a joke, but now I only have one arm and I cannot swim. If I can't swim, I will not have enough food. I will die. Would you give me back my arm, please? The Kappa bowed his head again and again.
The doctor felt sorry for the poor Kappa. If you promise never to play tricks on people again, I will give you back your arm. But why do you want it? You can't put your arm back on. said the doctor.
I have a special medicine. I will use it to put my arm back on. My arm will be fine. If you give me back my arm, I will teach you how to make the medicine.
The doctor was interested in this special medicine. He gave the arm back to the Kappa. The Kappa taught the doctor what plants to use and how to make them into the medicine. Then, the Kappa went home with his arm.
The next morning, a farmer came to the doctor with a broken arm. The doctor made the Kappa’s medicine and used it on the farmer’s arm. Suddenly, the farmer’s arm was fine.
Since then, the doctor used the Kappa’s miracle medicine to help many people.