My dear brother and Sister Bobbie and Barbie, Fall 2019
You asked for a tale of Grandfather Toga when I was with you one of the nights Father took Dad on a date. I told you about the panther story. As soon as I got back to the University I remembered one of the greatest tales of all. I am sending this note as soon as possible. Sometimes it's nice to have a story written so it can be passed down through the ages so keep this for our other siblings.
This story never made the history books because there was no proof so the other historians could not validate it. However I know it is true.
You have undoubtedly heard of the "Black Death" by now. It is usually covered in the history books in high school teachings. It has even made the news in recent years because humans have tried to weaponize it to kill each other off—Silly humans. Sigh. The "Black Death" or the bubonic plague is caused by a bacterium that is carried by rats. The plague killed off one third of all the Europeans between 1331 and 1336. The rats carried it with them from the main continent of Asia aboard sailing ships that were bringing silk to Europe. You can read a short and interesting version of the history on my favorite history site.
topics/middle-ages/black-death retrieved from the web 21 Oct 19
The rats pee and poop and their excrement carries the disease. It dries and becomes airborne and beings inhale it and become sick. It's a nasty appearing disease. When I was younger I was curious so I asked our parents. I won't forget the photos. GROSS. You can ask them to see it if you want. Beware; it's so gross I remember it 300 years later! Ick!
Japan and Korea weren't infected by the plague to the same extent. This is where Grandfather Toga played a large role. The rat demons had decided to take over Japan. They set the infection in play by using a small rat shrine and then opening it upon a small village of the Western lands. Grandfather got word of it and rushed to the site. Initially he hit the mass of rat demons with a wind scar but due to their special ability to multiply, the wind scar actually made the situation worse. Some of those rats ran toward Korea and some actually made it to Korea before Grandfather caught them. He realized he needed to destroy the rat shrine so he crushed it under his mighty foot. As soon as he did all the rats in the area died. Unfortunately the rats that were on their way toward Korea were not affected by the loss of the shrine so he spent the next week chasing and killing rat demons from the Western lands to Korea. He did not realize some of the rats had escaped to China and Nepal or I believe he would have chased them there as well. You see Bobbie, Barbie, Grandfather was a very honorable man. He felt he had caused the spread of the rats so he took it upon himself to eliminate them.
Dad always says, "Clean up your own mess." We know he never met Grandfather but he is still passing his wisdom along our family.
I had fun hanging out with your guys this summer and I'm looking forward to seeing you at the family reunion.
Love to all,
Kenichi
