Mushi-Shi (Original Japanese Version) Season 1 Episode 17 Pickers of Empty Cocoons

A young girl named Satomi lives in a small village with her grandmother and aunts. Satomi's father was a woodcutter who died in the mountains, and since then her family has been struggling to make ends meet. However, Satomi has a special ability - she can communicate with the Mushi, and has been fascinated with them ever since she was a child.

One day, Satomi discovers a group of people in the mountains who are collecting empty cocoons left behind by the Mushi. They are called "pickers" and they sell the cocoons to merchants who use them for medicine. Satomi is intrigued by the pickers' work and strikes up a conversation with them. The pickers explain that they have a mutual agreement with the Mushi - the Mushi leave empty cocoons for the pickers to collect, and the pickers leave offerings of food and drink for the Mushi in return.

Satomi is fascinated by this relationship and decides to try and help the pickers. She offers to bring them food and water while they work in the mountains. The pickers are grateful for Satomi's help and allow her to come with them on one of their collecting trips.

As they walk deeper into the mountains, Satomi notices that there are fewer and fewer empty cocoons. The pickers tell her that the Mushi have been disappearing from the area, and they are not sure why. Satomi is worried about the Mushi and decides to investigate. She eventually comes across a group of Mushi who are sick and dying. Satomi realizes that the pickers' work has disrupted the balance between the Mushi and the humans - the pickers have been taking too many cocoons and not leaving enough offerings for the Mushi.

Satomi comes up with a plan to help both the pickers and the Mushi. She suggests that the pickers should only collect cocoons from certain areas and leave the rest for the Mushi. She also suggests that they bring more offerings to the Mushi to maintain their relationship. The pickers agree to Satomi's plan and start implementing it immediately.

Over time, the Mushi in the area start to recover and there are more empty cocoons left for the pickers to collect. Satomi is pleased that she was able to help the pickers and the Mushi, and feels a sense of fulfillment knowing that she was able to use her special ability to make a difference.

As the episode ends, Satomi is seen skipping through the village with a newfound sense of purpose and joy. She knows that there will always be a delicate balance between humans and the Mushi, but she is confident that if they work together and show respect for one another, they can live in harmony.