Title: Yuki-Onna (The Snow Woman)

s lived simple lives, reliant on the dense forests for wood and the clear mountain streams for water. Winters were harsh and unforgiving—whenever the first snowfall came, the world transformed into a vast white wilderness, where silence reigned and life slowed to a crawl.In this village lived an old woodcutter named Mosaku and his young apprentice, Minokichi. Mosaku had spent his whole life working the forests, knowing every tree and path like the back of his hand. Minokichi, eager and hardworking, dreamed of becoming as skilled as his master one day.One bitter winter, with the snow falling thicker than ever before, the two men set out into the forest to collect firewood. The sky was gray and heavy, and soon the first flakes began to drift down. As they walked deeper into the woods, the snowfall grew heavier, and the wind bit into their faces like needles.“We must hurry,” Mosaku urged, his voice gravelly from years of shouting over roaring fires. But the storm came swiftly, turning the world white and cold. The snow piled up, drowning the familiar trees and paths. Before long, the two were hopelessly lost.After hours wandering blindly, they spotted a faint outline—a small wooden hut, barely visible through the curtain of snow. With hope rekindled, they stumbled toward it, their bodies numb from the cold.Inside, the hut was empty but offered shelter from the storm. They lit a small fire, hoping to thaw their frozen fingers. Mosaku collapsed by the warmth, while Minokichi sat awake, anxious about their situation.As the night deepened, the storm raged outside. Then, without warning, the door creaked open.A woman stepped inside, as if gliding on the wind. She wore a white kimono that shimmered with frost, her skin pale like freshly fallen snow. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her eyes held a strange, otherworldly glow. Minokichi shivered—not from cold, but from a fear that gripped his heart.The woman moved slowly toward Mosaku. The old woodcutter tried to rise, but his limbs froze in place as she leaned close and exhaled into his face. A sudden chill surged through his body, and he fell still—dead before Minokichi’s eyes.Frozen with terror, Minokichi barely breathed as the woman turned toward him. Her gaze lingered, searching his soul. Then, unexpectedly, she spoke in a voice soft yet sharp as ice.“You are young. Your heart is pure. I will spare you tonight. But swear to me—never speak of this night or the fate of your master. If you break your vow, I will come for you.”Before Minokichi could respond, she slipped out the door and disappeared into the blizzard.The next morning, Minokichi found Mosaku’s body cold and lifeless. Heart pounding, he dragged himself out of the hut and made his way back to the village, the woman’s warning echoing in his mind.Years passed, and the terrible memory faded into silence, buried beneath the rhythm of daily life. Then, one spring day, a beautiful young woman named Yuki came to the village. She was unlike anyone Minokichi had ever seen—her skin was pale and luminous, her eyes deep and mysterious. She moved with a grace that seemed almost unnatural, as if she belonged to the wind itself.The villagers accepted her kindly, and soon Minokichi found himself falling in love. They married and built a life together. Yuki was gentle, caring, and wise beyond her years. They had three children who grew up healthy and strong.Despite the happiness, Minokichi often noticed strange things. Yuki never seemed to grow older; her beauty remained unchanged through seasons. She avoided sunlight and cold air, and sometimes, when the moon was full, she would disappear into the forest for hours.One night, as a fierce snowstorm blanketed the village, Minokichi could no longer keep his secret fears hidden. He confessed the story of the snow woman—the night in the forest, the death of Mosaku, and the mysterious warning.Yuki’s eyes filled with tears. She stood, her face pale and radiant in the firelight.“I am that woman,” she whispered. “I am Yuki-Onna—the Snow Woman. Long ago, I took pity on you and spared your life. But I never meant to stay. My nature is the cold wind and the falling snow. I am not meant for this world.”Minokichi felt his heart break, but he held her hand tightly.“Why did you come to me?” he asked.“Because I loved you,” she said softly. “But now the time has come for me to return to the mountain winds.”With those final words, Yuki stepped toward the door. Outside, the snow swirled in the cold moonlight. She looked back one last time.“Take care of our children,” she said. “Raise them well. Tell them to