The Gentle Ogre Ring

Although ogres had terrorized Oga’s surroundings for centuries, the story of one who saved a little girl from a fire at the cost of his own life made a dent on the traditional fear and hatred that these creatures inspired in the area. The girl pleaded with the townsfolk to bring the body to her village so she could honor him, but the elders and most inhabitants refused, scared that such an act could invite other demons in. However, the girl’s parents and those who’d seen the ogre’s scorched flesh felt responsible, for they’d cursed him harshly and unjustly. They went back to where the creature had died but, although the signs of the fire remained, they only found a mask on the blackened dirt. They placed the mask in the ogre’s cave, lit candles, poured sake on the ground, prayed and left before sundown. The Cave of the Gentle Ogre, as it became known, was later turned into a shrine open to anyone seeking shelter among the trees, and no other demons were seen in its vicinity again. As for the girl, she began to mysteriously receive sweet cakes on the anniversary of her rescue, even after she left her village for the city. Few believed her, but she was sure that her savior still looked after her.