“Everyone? Class is finally over! I’m very proud of all your efforts.” Kino stood in the classroom she’d commuted to for five days. In the remodeled room nestled in this otherwise old building, the concrete pillars were chipped here and there, and the windows had no glass but, rather, were boarded up. Though many bare light bulbs dangled, it was still dim. Counting Kino, thirteen boys and girls sat in chairs and desks that bore obvious scars of frequent repair. With the exception of Kino, who wore a plain white shirt, the others wore patched and stitched clothes.

In front of every individual, atop their desks, lay a bag. Leather and cloth, backpack and cross-shoulder and handbag, all manner of bags. Their slightly bulgy appearance suggested something solid inside them.

These were undoubtedly not top-of-the-line bags, but they all exuded an aura of handmade care, diligently put-together.

Before Kino rested a light beige cross-shoulder bag. It too had a distinct bulge, about the size of a large lunch box.

“We’ve finally done it, haven’t we? Here we are, with not one failure in sight. There’s nothing left for me to teach you. The last thing to do is to take the bag home and show it to your mother and father, brother or sister —show it to everyone in the world! They’ll definitely love it!” In front of the sewing machine on the teacher’s desk, the beautiful woman with her golden hair tied back declaimed proudly. Every pupil broke into a smile. “Well, now we must part ways, but I trust that every one of you will fulfill your purpose wonderfully!”

A firm assent answered her voice.

“One last point. This doesn’t directly have to do with the class, but there’s something else I’d like you to learn. Please listen.”

Twenty-six eyes focused on the teacher’s face. She slowly met every gaze, and then... “we wonder, what is the most important thing that leads to success in life? I personally believe that it’s your conviction. The power to accomplish what you want to do, what you set your mind on. That is vital to your life. You must base all your actions on this conviction. When you do, someone is bound to ask you, ‘Is that the right thing to do?’ But, you mustn’t falter. Your heart must not waver. You mustn’t let it waver. Hold fast to your goals and race forward. Until now, I’ve told you not to lie in class, haven’t I? But after this, when you go into the outside world and you begin to act upon your convictions, it’s okay to lie. Above all, hold fast to your beliefs. Even if it will grind your soul to bits, stand firm and fight!”

The teacher trembled a little with passion as she spoke. Finally she smiled, with a wide smile like a flower in full bloom,

“I know that you can do it. Everyone here can do it. Class, you have graduated. Congratulations.”

Soon, Kino put the light beige shoulder bag into the box at Hermes’s back wheel.

“I’m back, Master.”

And she returned to the log cabin in the forest.

“I’ve done it, Master!” She stood at the threshold, heralded by the cry of forest birds and framed by a red sky.

The old lady saw the bag, looked inside, and said, “I see. Interesting. They use this sort of timber and construction these days, don’t they?”

Kino then showed it to Hermes, who was just as impressed.