"Where are you going in such a hurry, Crab? What is that you are carrying?" asked the Crane.

"I carry a priceless item to my lady O-Ushi. She warned me to let no one know what it is, for it is of such value that they would certainly give up their life for it," replied the Crab.

The Crane was curious. Surely, he thought, this must be a poem of such tragedy that anyone who read it would die of a broken heart. "I must see it, my friend," pleaded the Crane.

"I did warn you of the cost, Crane," sighed the Crab as he handed over the box. As the Crane lifted the lid and peeked inside, the Crab's tetsubo arced down and smashed in his skull. The Crab picked up the box and continued on his way.

Next he found a Scorpion resting along the roadside. "Where are you going in such a rush, Crab? What do you carry in that box?"

"I carry a priceless item to my lady O-Ushi. She warned me not to tell anyone what it is, for the item might be quite fatal to anyone touched by it," answered the Crab.

The Scorpion was intrigued. Surely, he thought, the box must hold a dagger with some rare, exotic poison that might kill anyone who touched it. That must be what the Crab meant. "Please, my friend Crab, I must see inside the box."

The Crab thought for a moment, then agreed, saying "Remember, though, Scorpion, I warned you of the dangers." The Scorpion gently took the box and peered inside. The Crab's tetsubo came down and smashed the Scorpion's skull. The Crab then picked up the box and continued on his way. Shortly, he came across a proud Lion Samurai practising his swordsmanship.

"Well met, friend Crab. Where are you taking that box in such a hurry? What does it hold?," the Lion asked.

"I am carrying a priceless item to my Lady O-Ushi. She warned me not to let anyone know what it is. She said that it might cost many men their lives," replied the Crab.

The Lion was interested. Surely, he thought, the box held a battle plan of such genious that it would allow an army to annihilate the enemy. That must be what the Crab meant. "Please, friend Crab, I must look inside that box."

The Crab relented, but said, "Remember, Lion, that I warned you of the danger." Once again, as the Lion peeked into the box, the Crab's tetsubo caved in his skull. And once again, the Crab picked up the box and continued along his way.

Soon he was met by a Unicorn horseman riding the other way. "Ho, friend Crab! What are you carrying there?," inquired the Unicorn.

The Crab answered, "I am taking a priceless item to my lady O- Ushi. She warned me not to reveal it to anyone, for the item is much too dangerous to the unknowledgeable."

The Unicorn pondered this for a while. Surely, he thought, the box contained magical horseshoes that could make a horse run as fast as the wind. Those unfamiliar with horses would be thrown by such a steed and killed, but he was a Unicorn. That must be what the Crab meant. "Please, friend Crab, let me see what you carry."

The Crab relented, issuing his customary warning. "I have warned you of the cost, Unicorn." As the Unicorn opened the box, the Crab's tetsubo came down and ended the rider's life. The Crab calmly picked up the box and continued on his journey.

He soon came across a Phoenix Shugenja practicing his spells. "Friend Crab, where do you go in such a hurry? What do you carry that makes you hasten?," the Phoenix asked.

"I carry a priceless item to my lady O-Ushi. She warned me to let no one know what it is, for it is most powerful and might cost them their life," the Crab said.

The Phoenix was excited. Surely, he thought, the box contained an ancient Scroll of such power that only a trained Shugenja could read it safely. That must be what the Crab meant. "Please, friend Crab, let me see that box."

The Crab handed over the box, saying, "Remember that I warned you of the possible consequences, Phoenix."

When the Phoenix opened the box, the Crab's tetsubo swooped down and killed him. When the deed was done, the Crab picked up the box and continued on his way.

He eventually arrived at the Kaiu walls and was brought before Hida O-Ushi. "Well, samurai, have you brought me the item? Have you done what I asked?"

The Crab Samurai smiled and bowed. "Yes, my lady, I have." The Crab straightened, casually tossed the empty box aside and handed the tetsubo to O-Ushi. "As you asked me to, I have brought you your new tetsubo. And I have tested its balance five times."