TED-Ed: The Japanese myth of the trickster raccoon | Iseult Gillespie

A traveling salesman struggles to sell his goods and helps a trapped tanuki. Later, he finds a rusty kettle and sells it to monks, but it transforms into the tanuki he saved. The tanuki explains it wanted to repay the salesman's kindness and becomes a beloved guest at the temple, entertaining monks and villagers.

What was the salesman's initial challenge in selling his goods?

• He had too many items to sell.

• The villagers were not interested in his products.

• He had already visited the area recently.

• The villagers were too poor to buy anything.

What did the salesman find that he thought he could sell to the monks?

• A rusty tea kettle

• A rare gemstone

• A golden statue

• A magical scroll

Why did the monks feel dissatisfied with the tea kettle?

• It was too heavy to carry.

• It was too small for their needs.

• It was leaking water.

• It cooled too quickly and squirmed when hot.

What was the true identity of the tea kettle?

• A shapeshifting tanuki

• A magical artifact

• A rare animal

• A cursed object

How did the tanuki repay the salesman's kindness?

• By becoming a guest at the temple and entertaining everyone

• By giving him gold coins

• By helping him sell more goods

• By protecting him from danger