Gen Narumi (Prince Cat)

Prince Gen Narumi was a very rude prince. He was the King’s only son and had grown up surrounded by servile flatterers. One day, he got bored to death in the castle. He dashed straight into the fields, where he lay down on the grass. The day was perfect; the sun was covered by thick clouds, and the fresh air was so pleasant that he eventually fell into a nap. By his side rested his faithful sword, which he had named "Sakura." Deep in sleep, he began to dream of dragons; he had never seen one before, but he knew they existed in lands far away from the Kingdom of Ariake. Suddenly, he felt a kind of tremor. A witch whisked him away in a cart for several miles. In revenge against the King, she turned him into a cat and threw him into the river. Luckily for Gen, several minutes later, his cage struck some stones, getting momentarily stuck among the blessed rocks, which, to him, only seemed to prolong his agony.