A carpenter is challenged by a river demon while trying to build a bridge for his village.

As Hikone was thinking of a way to build the bridge, something suddenly rose from the water. "Ah! A demon!" he cried, and tried to run away.

The Carpenter and the Demon — page 5

"Hey, do not run! What were you muttering while you stared at the river?" Still frightened, Hikone answered, "I was wondering how I might build a bridge, but I could not think of anything." The demon replied, "A bridge? Impossible. Only I can build one, but I do not do favors for humans."