after the quake...........(神の子どもたちはみな踊る)

after the quake is a collection of short stories by Haruki Murakami published in 2000 as a response to the 1995 quake in Kobe, Japan. On of these stories was Superfrog Saves Tokyo. There is a creature named Worm beneath Tokyo who is about to wake and cause the quake. Superfrog and Mr. Katagiri must prevent this.

Katagiri found a giant frog waiting for him in his apartment. It was powerfully built, standing over six feet tall on its hind legs. A skinny little man no more than five foot three, Katagiri was overwhelmed by the frog’s imposing bulk.

“Call me ‘Frog,’” said the frog in a clear, strong voice.

Katagiri stood rooted in the doorway, unable to speak.

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pic: Edward Kwong