A Tale For The Time Being

Nao’s dad agrees to take her to the temple where she will be spending the summer. Nao begs him to take her to Tokyo Disneyland on the way to Jiko’s temple, but he refuses because he hates crowds. They take the train to Sendai, where they change to a local train that goes to the town closest to Jiko’s temple. In the town, they catch a bus to Jiko’s village and then climb up a steep flight of steps up the mountain to the temple. Nao’s dad remembers the temple and the surrounding area from when he was a boy, and Nao observes that he seems happier than he has been for a long time. When they finally reach the top of the stairs, Muji comes running to meet them. That night, they have a party in the temple for Nao and her dad. When it is time for everyone to bathe before dinner, Jiko asks Nao if she would like to take a bath with her. Nao noticed that the nuns say a prayer of gratitude before they do even very mundane things, like bathe and use the toilet. Nao hopes that her dad will spend the summer with them at the temple since he seems so happy.