Sky Sweeper

Takeboki was a young boy looking for a job and the monks in the temple hired him as a Flower Keeper. His job was to sweep his way though all the seasons. He kept sweeping year after year until people started to talk about him. His parents claimed he was getting too old to be a Flower Keeper. "Im happy sweeping." And he was. "The monks need a temple, the temple needs a garden, and the garden needs a Flower Keeper." The criticism did not stay with him for long. His brother told him about many far away places he was going to visit and told him he would make lots of money. "I do go places," Takeboki replied. In his mind he traveled the world over in his garden. The monks ignored him when he told them of the things the garden reminded him of, but he was still happy. The criticism did not stay with him for long. He was urged to marry, but once again he said, "I'm happy." And he was. "The monks need a temple, the temple needs a garden, and the garden needs a Flower Keeper." The world would have to go on without him. Takeboki was a happy man. This is a very heartwarming tale about a boy who would turn into a man and was still content to march to his own drummer. What if, how come, wouldn't you be happier doing something else . . . all questions some people don't need to answer because they are happy with themselves and what they do. The art work is soothing and beautiful and echoes the contentment Takeboki found in his life. If someone in your life marches to a different drummer, perhaps this is a book you should read!

This is a beautifully illustrated story that reminds us that everyone is important. The monks don't pay any attention to the gardener, Takeboki. They don't notice the beauty he creates until he is too old to maintain it. Only when they see how the garden falls into shambles do they realize what a valuable service he provided to them. And even though Takeboki lived a simple, unenviable life, he becomes something spectacular in the afterlife.

This is a delightful story about the value of doing one's work without regard to the opinions of others. The illustrations are fine as well.