[he grins a little-- you're spoiling him by caring, Katara]

That would take an eternity to tell. I've been a mushishi for most of my life, and there is still more for me to learn than I'll ever be able to. But, if you're ever at a loss for things to do in this place [you must officially remind him of some of the older children he's met in his travels, as it's the first time he's made the offer] I have plenty of stories to tell.

[...and he just can't help himself] I met a girl who was pulled up by a string from the sky-- and a man who carried a jar on his back to catch a rainbow. As for the trouble they make, some mushi eat sound-- some eat memories. Some of them look like butterflies, and trick you into thinking it's spring in the middle of wintertime...But they're only trying to live-- just like you or me.