寓話「神の道」Fable “The Path of the Gods”

ここは自然豊かな日本屈指の神社。
This is one of Japan’s finest shrines, abundant with nature.

ある日、ツアー客の団体が訪れました。
One day, a group of tour visitors arrived.

ツアー名は「神の道、人の道、成功の道」。
The tour was called “The Path of the Gods, the Path of Humanity, the Path of Success.”

礼服を身に纏ったその団体の人々。
The members of the group were dressed in formal attire.

彼らは指導者風のガイドの話を熱心に聞きます。
They listened intently to a guide who carried himself like a spiritual leader.

「神の道とは…」
“The path of the gods is…”
「人の道とは…」
“The path of humanity is…”
「成功とは…」
“Success is…”

彼らは参拝し、そのツアー客だけでも数千万円の奉納を済ませ、帰っていきます。
They offered their prayers, made offerings totaling tens of millions of yen among the group alone, and departed.

彼らが去った後。
After they had gone.

鳥居の下の参道。
The path beneath the torii gate.

何匹もの毛虫が踏み潰され、命を落としていました。
Several caterpillars had been crushed underfoot, their lives extinguished.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​