Boingboing points out a BBC story on a magical new product from Japan. The BBC article doesn’t say the half of it. Here’s a full translation of the original product site.
Note that the name Mamederumon is made up, but translated literally means, ‘thing which sprouts from a bean’
Mamederumon
The bean with a message in it is being born!The egg of Mamederumon!
From an egg a plant is born!
Exciting and thrilling!
The introduction of the egg!Simply water the egg, and after a few hours have passes the shell will split by itself.
A bean with a message inscribed on it will sprout from the egg.
Then if you just take care of it, something good may happen.
Plans to go on sale from late February for ¥798 (¥760 with tax).
The story of Mamederumon
Once upon a time there was a land called ‘Mamederumon.’ In this land there dwelt a peculiar hen. The eggs laid by the hen of Mamederumon were rather large, and from within would sprout a large bean. On this bean a message was inscribed, and if cherished and cared it would grow rapidly in size, and the person who raised it would likewise be filled with vigorous energy.