When Taro is a boy he is brought up as a servant and works in several positions as one. Gradually he works towards his goal of becoming a samurai like his father. How do his experiences as a servant affect him in his adult life when he becomes a Samurai?
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As a child, Taro is kept alive as a servant. During this time in his life he learns valuable traits that he keeps throughout his life. Besides learning things like how to ride a horse he learns many other things too, especially when in the care of Togan. One of the most important lessons that Togan teaches him is patience and to never wish to be more than he is because that is his position for a reason. He tells Taro, “Look, Taro, that bird is satisfied being what it is, a bird. It knows what it can do and what it can’t…it is content, just as the tree is satisfied with being a tree,” (Haugaard 20). With this trait instilled in his core, Taro is able to actually rise through the ranks. Since he is always satisfied with his position in life he does his job to the best of his ability and is always trusted with more and more important tasks. When he begins his work with Kada Wasuke he is second in command because of his many years of loyal service in the stable. He never complains about the position he is in, instead he is grateful for everything he is given. When he reaches a new rank he always stays honest because he always wants to do the best he can. That is what makes him such a great leader because he puts all his focus into where he is instead of where he is going. One very good example of this in action when he becomes a samurai is when he commands his troops to move onto the hillock in he battle. He was told to stay put, but he knows moving his troops will cause him to both listen to orders and save the lives of his men. If he had been concerned because he had been picked to stay behind he would have sulked, instead he takes the opportunity to show how great he is, and it pays off for him.
Being a servant taught Taro the important qualities of humility and respect. Without these qualities, Taro would not have been able to accept the roles he was given. At first, he was very proud, and did not believe he is low enough to perform simple tasks, for he is the son of a samurai. This is made evident at the very beginning of the novel when Lord Akiyama first takes Taro under his control. Too proud to simply give in, he grabs his father's sword and stands at ready, as if he will be able to take on full grown samurai with a mere stick. (Haugaard 6) As he matures, though, he understands the importance of making the most out of a given situation. As Snorlax mentioned, Taro is eventually entrusted with tasks of greater importance. As Master of Rice, he potentially has the fate of the entire army in his hands, for what man can fight on an empty stomach? Even when he could potentially be killed, he takes charge of the situation and makes the most out of it, becoming a hero. (Haugaard 149-153)
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