My name is Yakul. I live a simple life, and I am a happy creature who enjoys many things. I like to chew on grass in the boundless meadows surrounding my village, or gallop through the fields so fast it feels like I am flying. I like spending time with my master, Ashitaka. I care deeply for my master and would do anything for him. One morning we were out for a ride when we came across a boar with a demon inside of him. He charged at us with malice in his heart. My master succeeded in killing him, but was wounded by the beast and his arm became black and cursed. My master and I, we had to leave our home and everything we knew to find a cure for his curse. I felt such sorrow in leaving those meadows behind me. In our journey we came across many dangers. Samurai men shot arrows at my master and I, but my master had a good aim. We travelled for days, and I became weary but I knew I must continue for my master’s sake. We came upon a forest one day, and found two men who lay wounded in the riverbed; we carried them back to their village. On the way, we saw a pack of wolves and a girl was with them. They were beautiful animals, but cruel and mysterious. I drank from the water’s edge and watched them cautiously. My master yelled out something to them. The girl told us to go away.
The people in Iron Town were nice to me; they fed me good food and stroked my back. My master left me and went into the village while I remained in the stables. I felt lonely there and I missed him. My heart felt like a rock, heavy and useless. One afternoon, I heard a commotion outside. My master was in trouble. He was carrying the wolf girl, San, limp in his arms, and blood was spilling from him. I carried them both upon my back, into the forest. San talked to me when she awoke, and we took my master to the domain of the forest spirit. We left my master lying in the water, asleep. I spoke to San of my master, how he was a good man, and all we had been through on our journey. She understood. She was no wolf after all; she was tender and kind just like a child. The forest spirit had healed my master’s wound, but he was still cursed. I watched him in this realisation and felt much despair for my master. He did not deserve it. Yet as I looked upon him, I knew he did not feel resigned to his fate. This is why I love him.
The next morning we awoke and the wolves had gone. A battle was about to take place. There were samurai shooting arrows in all directions, I ran and ran until I felt a searing pain in my haunch, and even then I ran some more. Finally I had to stop. My master fought the men off and pulled the arrow out of me. I yelped in pain. My master told me to stay behind but I would not leave him. I followed him, dragging my legs behind me. I would never leave my master. We reached the battlegrounds and there were bodies everywhere. I did not know what was happening, I was hurt and could not move easily. My master left me with the men of Iron Town, and they tended to my wound. I watched my master as he walked into the distance. My feeble elk heart swelled up with sorrow.
Many hours passed and I began to feel uneasy. On the horizon appeared a wall of bubbling black goo; it was flowing toward us like a river. The men and I, we ran to the lake and waded through it until we were at a safe distance. I was in much pain but I was thinking of my master all the while. We watched from the lake as the black ooze destroyed everything it touched. I cried at the limp and fallen flowers. In the distance, a huge, translucent figure appeared. This was no mortal creature, but a god. As I looked more closely, I realised that the humans had cut off his head and that was why the beauty of the forest was being drowned in a black wave. I thought about how cruel these men must be, to cut off the head of a god. I felt deeply ashamed and looked around at the men in the lake. I knew these men had not cut off its head, but I wondered if they would for the right price. I already knew far too much about human corruption for a peaceful elk such as myself. Perhaps I cannot understand the thing that humans are hungry for. I will never know why they lust for power and will obtain it by any means. It is difficult not to be angry with these humans, but I know they can be good because of my master, Ashitaka. He redeems the human race.
Something appeared in the distance that made me lose my train of thought. The figure was standing up before us and placed his head back onto his body. In an instant he transformed from a slimy, dark monster, back into an enchanting, starry figure. As he disappeared, the dead and lifeless hillside sprung back into life. All that was ruined was now repaired; colours emerged all around me, replacing the horrible blackness that had once dominated the landscape. The men and I travelled on a raft to reach my master and San. When I reached them, they were asleep in the grass. So innocent they were. I nudged my master gently with my nose and he awoke slowly. My master’s wound was healed. It was decided that we would stay and help the humans re-build their town. I looked around me, and there were meadows as far as the eye could see. There was my master by my side. I was happy.
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