Pathway to Japanese Literature
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The ChildAuthor: Murō Saisei
| Original Title | 童子 |
|---|---|
| Author | 室生 犀星 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In a tense household shadowed by illness, a couple navigates the fragile early days of parenthood. The mother, afflicted with beriberi, is forbidden from breastfeeding, forcing them to seek alternatives. Their desperation unfolds through failed attempts to secure a reliable wet nurse—first relying on donated milk from a kind stranger in Motozaka, then a reluctant young woman from Chiba whose milk mysteriously dries up. Each day becomes a battle against uncertainty: muddy treks to collect milk, scrutinizing its quality, and clashing over solutions as their infant’s health teeters. The father’s obsessive vigilance contrasts with his wife’s quiet anguish, their bond strained by sleepless nights and unspoken fears. Doctors offer conflicting advice; hope flickers with each new remedy, only to fade as setbacks mount. Amidst this turmoil, glimpses of tenderness emerge—the infant’s fleeting smiles, shared moments of relief—yet the specter of loss looms. As they grapple with societal expectations and their own insecurities, the couple’s resilience is tested in a poignant struggle to protect a life more fragile than they ever imagined. |
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