The Fantasy Railroad in the Stars

Tonight I went to see a play and had I known it was going to be so sad I would’ve packed the tissues. 銀河鉄道の夜, Ginga Tetsudō no Yoru is a classic Japanese novel written by Kenji Miyazawa around 1927. In English the title translates to “Night on the Galactic Railroad” but if you are expecting a Star Trek style story you will be disappointed.

The full story can be found on Wiki but the saddest part for me (stop reading now if you don’t want to know anymore………)

…is when the children realise that the train they are on is taking them to the afterlife. They suddenly remember they were on a boat that was sinking and the fact they are now on a train means they did not survive. They know their mother is far away so they shout their goodbyes to her across the stars. They basically tell her they are fine, don’t worry about us, have a good life etc. The kids acting in the play did such a good job and before long I was sobbing uncontrollably!