 The storyline is supposedly based on an old Buddhist folk tale, and includes, as asides, a short telling of the Buddha's life, and brief accounts of some of the Buddha's previous lifetimes as animals, as in the Jataka tales.At the end of each of the eight chapters is one of the housekeeper's songs, her insightful commentary on what is happening.A poor Japanese artist sends his housekeeper out with a few small coins to buy food.