He—y, Come on Ou—t!
By Shinichi Hoshi (translated by Stanleigh Jones)
1978
Shinichi Hoshi, one of the pioneers of Japanese science fiction, is best known for writing more than 1000 "short-short" stories like this one. In "He—y, Come on Ou—t!", the residents of a Japanese village discover a mysterious hole. As you read, take notes on how the plot contributes to the story's theme.
[1] The typhoon had passed and the sky was a gorgeous blue. Even a certain village not far from the city had suffered damage. A little distance from the village and near the mountains, a small shrine' had been swept away by a landslide.
"I wonder how long that shrine's been here."
"Well, in any case, it must have been here since an awfully long time ago."
"We've got to rebuild it right away."
"Untitled" by Victor Lu is licensed under CCO.
[5] While the villagers exchanged views, several more of their number came over.
"It sure was wrecked."
"I think it used to be right here."
"No, looks like it was a little more over there."
Just then one of them raised his voice. "Hey what in the world is this hole?" Where they had all gathered there was a hole about a meter in diameter. They peered in, but it was so dark nothing could be seen. However, it gave one the feeling that it was so deep it went clear through to the center of the earth.
[10] There was even one person who said, "I wonder if it's a fox's hole.""He—y, come on ou—t!" shouted a young man into the hole. There was no echo from the bottom. Next he picked up a pebble and was about to throw it in.
"You might bring down a curse on us. Lay off," warned an old man, but the younger one energetically threw the pebble in. As before, however, there was no answering response from the bottom. The villagers cut down some trees, tied them with rope and made a fence which they put around the hole. Then they repaired to the village.
"What do you suppose we ought to do?"
"Shouldn't we build the shrine up just as it was over the hole?"
[15] A day passed with no agreement. The news traveled fast, and a car from the newspaper company rushed over. In no time a scientist came out, and with an all-knowing expression on his face he went over to the hole. Next, a bunch of gawking curiosity seekers showed up; one could also pick out here and there men of shifty glances who appeared to be concessionaires? Concerned that someone might fall into the hole, a policeman from the local substation kept a careful watch. One newspaper reporter tied a weight to the end of a long cord and lowered it into the hole. A long way down it went. The cord ran out, however, and he tried to pull it out, but it would not come back up. Two or three people helped out, but when they all pulled too hard, the cord parted at the edge of the hole. Another reporter, a camera in hand, who had been watching all of this, quietly untied a stout rope that had been wound around his waist. The scientist contacted people at his laboratory and had them bring out a high-powered bull horn, with which he was going to check out the echo from the hole's bottom. He tried switching through various sounds, but there was no echo. The scientist was puzzled, but he could not very well give up with everyone watching him so intently. He put the bull horn right up to the hole, turned it to its highest volume, and let it sound continuously for a long time. It was a noise that would have carried several dozen kilometers above ground. But the hole just calmly swallowed up the sound. In his own mind the scientist was at a loss, but with a look of apparent composure he cut off the sound and, in a manner suggesting that the whole thing had a perfectly plausible explanation, said simply, "Fill it in."[20] Safer to get rid of something one didn't understand. The onlookers, disappointed that this was all that was going to happen, prepared to disperse.* Just then one of the concessionaires, having broken through the throng and come forward, made a proposal. "Let me have that hole. I'll fill it in for you." "We'd be grateful to you for filling it in," replied the mayor of the village, "but we can't very well give you the hole. We have to build a shrine there." "If it's a shrine you want, I'll build you a fine one later. Shall I make it with an attached meeting hall?"
[25] Before the mayor could answer, the people of the village all shouted out. "Really? Well, in that case, we ought to have it closer to the village." "It's just an old hole. We'll give it to you!" So it was settled. And the mayor, of course, had no objection. The concessionaire was true to his promise. It was small, but closer to the village he did build for them a shrine with an attached meeting hall.
[30] About the time the autumn festival was held at the new shrine, the hole-filling company established by the concessionaire hung out its small shingle at a shack near the hole. The concessionaire had his cohorts mount a loud campaign in the city. "We've got a fabulously deep hole!" "Scientists say it's at least five thousand meters deep! Perfect for the disposal of such things as waste from nuclear reactors." Government authorities granted permission. Nuclear power plants fought for contracts. The people of the village were a bit worried about this, but they consented® when it was explained that there would be absolutely no above-ground contamination for several thousand years and that they would share in the profits. Into the bargain, very shortly a magnificent road was built from the city to the village.
5 answers
In "He—y, Come on Ou—t!" by Shinichi Hoshi, the plot revolves around the discovery of a mysterious hole in a Japanese village after a typhoon. The villagers’ reactions to the hole serve to explore themes of curiosity, commerce, and the human tendency to exploit the unknown for personal gain.
Plot Summary:
Discovery of the Hole: Following the destruction caused by the typhoon, villagers gather around a newly revealed hole, curious and uncertain about its nature. Initial speculations circulate, but there’s a prevailing sense of awe and concern.
Scientists and Curiosity Seekers: As news spreads, scientists and curiosity seekers arrive, drawn by the hole’s mystery. Attempts to investigate the hole’s depth fail; sounds and objects thrown in return no response, heightening the intrigue.
Decision-making and Exploitation: After the scientist suggests filling in the hole, a concessionaire proposes to take over the situation, expressing interest in the hole for more profitable purposes. The villagers, eager to get a shrine built and motivated by the promise of profit, agree to allow him to use the hole for waste disposal.
Rebuilding and Exploitation: The concessionaire fulfills his promise by building a shrine and a meeting hall but simultaneously starts a business that capitalizes on the hole. Profit-driven narratives dominate as the village accommodates nuclear waste disposal, swayed by promises of safety and revenue.
Themes:
Curiosity and Fear of the Unknown: The villagers’ initial intrigue about the hole reflects a human tendency to explore the unknown. This curiosity transforms into fear and caution when faced with the potential problems the hole could bring.
Exploitation and Commercialization: The shift from a sacred site (the shrine) to a commercial opportunity (the hole for waste disposal) highlights the theme of exploitation. The villagers’ agreement to the proposal underscores how easily moral and ethical considerations can be bypassed for financial gain.
Community Dynamics and Decision-making: The story illustrates the dynamics of community decision-making, highlighting how quickly a collective can sway from concern for safety to eagerness for economic prosperity, revealing societal values and priorities.
Contrasts Between Nature and Human Endeavors: The natural event (the typhoon) uncovers a hole that becomes the focus of human activity. This contrast emphasizes the struggle between nature’s mysteries and human attempts to control and profit from them.
In summary, Hoshi uses the plot to weave a narrative that critiques societal tendencies towards commodification, illustrating the complex interplay between curiosity, fear, and the relentless drive for profit.
Use the story to help answer these questions
What is the theme in the story?
How does the surprise ending of the story contribute to the theme?
Theme of the Story:
The central theme of "He—y, Come on Ou—t!" revolves around the human tendency to exploit the unknown for personal and economic gain. It explores the intersection of curiosity, fear, and commercial interests, illustrating how quickly a community can shift from reverence for the mysterious elements of nature to a desire to monetize them.
Contribution of the Surprise Ending to the Theme:
The surprise ending, where the villagers agree to allow a concessionaire to fill in the hole and use it for nuclear waste disposal, significantly amplifies the story's theme in several ways:
Shift from Sacred to Commercial:
Initially, the hole evokes a sense of mystery and possibly respect, as it is discovered alongside the ruins of a shrine. However, by the end, this same space transitions into a commercial opportunity for waste disposal. This drastic shift underscores how human beings can prioritize profit over reverence for nature or traditional values.
Collective Decision-making:
The villagers’ swift acceptance of the concessionaire’s proposal highlights a collective willingness to abandon ethical considerations for the allure of financial gain. This reflects a societal tendency where economic incentives can cloud judgment, suggesting that community values may be easily compromised.
Ambiguity of Progress:
The ending hints at the consequences of such decisions, as the exploitation of the hole for nuclear waste raises concerns about safety and environmental implications. Yet, the villagers, motivated by promises of safety and profit, overlook potential long-term risks. This creates a tension between perceived progress and the greater implications of their choices.
Cynical Commentary on Modern Values:
Hoshi’s conclusion presents a somewhat cynical view of modern society, where curiosity about a natural phenomenon is quickly overshadowed by capitalist motives. The surprise ending serves as a critique of how society often prioritizes economic gain over a deeper understanding or respect for nature.
In essence, the surprise ending reinforces the theme by demonstrating how quickly society can shift its focus from the mysterious and sacred to the mundane and exploitative, encapsulating the ethical dilemmas that arise in the face of curiosity and commercial opportunity.
Please keep it simple. Just 1 simple paragraph for the last one
The surprise ending contributes to the theme by showing how quickly the villagers shift from being curious and cautious about the mysterious hole to exploiting it for profit through nuclear waste disposal. This transition reflects the tendency of society to prioritize economic gain over ethical concerns, highlighting how easily values can be compromised in the face of potential financial benefits. The ending serves as a commentary on the consequences of prioritizing short-term profit over respect for nature and the unknown.
