Key Points of the Story
- The story takes place in the past in Japan, where there lived an old couple who had a pet dog named Muko.
- The old couple loved Muko like their own child since they had no children of their own.
- Muko followed the old man every day to the rice fields, where he worked hard from morning until night.
- One day, Muko discovered a treasure buried in the ground and led his owner to it, making the couple rich.
- The old couple celebrated their newfound wealth by sharing it generously with their friends and neighbors.
- In contrast, a greedy couple in the village tried to use Muko to find treasure for themselves but ended up killing him when he did not cooperate.
- The old man mourned Muko deeply, treating him as though he had lost a child.
- In a dream, Muko's spirit instructed the old man to cut down a pine tree over his grave to create a mortar and a mill.
- When the couple used these items, they magically turned their rice and beans into gold.
- The greedy couple tried to replicate their success but failed, leading to their downfall.
- In the end, the old couple was rewarded for their kindness, while the greedy couple faced punishment for their wickedness.
- The old couple lived happily and prosperously, enjoying their peaceful life together.
Detailed Summary
The story is about an old couple who lived with their pet dog Muko. They were farmer and had no child. They loved Muko as it were their own child. One day the dog helped the old farmer to find treasure in the fields. There was a pile of gold before him and both of them became rich.
In the same village there lived a wicked old man and his wife who were wicked and greedy. They scolded all dogs whenever any passed their house. After they heard about their neighbour, they also tried to find treasure of with the help of dog. They brought the dog into their garden. They set before him good food. But the dog showed them the spot where a dead kitten lay buried. Due to anger, they killed the dog.
The dog's owners were saddened by the death of their dog which they loved as their son. They buried him. The spirit of the dog came in its master's dreams and helped his master in various ways. First time the dog's spirit told the farmer to make a mortar and a hand mill with the wood of the pine tree over its grave. The old farmer used this mortar for making rice pastry but instead, rice dough turned into a heap of gold coins.
Question for Summary: The Ashes that Made Trees Bloom
Try yourself:
What did the old man create with the wood of the pine tree over Muko's grave?Explanation
- The old man created a mortar and a mill with the wood of the pine tree over Muko's grave.
- These items were used to magically turn rice and beans into gold, bringing prosperity to the old couple.
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While making bean sauce by using the hand mill, there dropped gold like rain from the mill. The greedy neighbours peeped into the window and decided to borrow the mill. They borrowed the mortar and the hand mill. As a result of their greed, what all they got was just a foul mass of worms. After this, the spirit asked his master to collect the ashes of the mortar and hand mill, which were burnt by the wicked couple and sprinkle on the withered trees. That would make them bloom again. The old man did so and the withered tree bloomed. Soon the kind old man heard that lord Daimio, was to pass near the village. He set out to see him taking his basket of magic ash along. He climbed a withered cherry tree that stood by the wayside. When the daimio's procession drew near, he scattered a pinch of ashes over the tree and it burst into blossom. Diamio's saw this wonder and rewarded the kind old farmer.
This time again, the wicked couple tried to do the same thing. As the greedy old man sprinkled the ashes on the withered tree, instead of blooming the tree, it blew with the wind and caused trouble to Diamio and his wife. Due tot their behaviour, Diamio got upset and punished the greedy neighbours. He was beaten badly and left on the road. He died in the mud. However, the kind old man and his wife lived a happy long life.
Question for Summary: The Ashes that Made Trees Bloom
Try yourself:
What happened when the kind old man sprinkled the ashes on the withered tree in front of the Daimio?Explanation
- The kind old man sprinkled the ashes on the withered tree and it burst into blossoms, impressing the Daimio and leading to his reward.
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Theme/ Message
- The primary theme of the story is the contrast between kindness and greed. The old couple, who are kind-hearted and generous, are rewarded for their good deeds, while the greedy couple suffers the consequences of their actions.
- Another important theme is the bond between humans and animals. Muko, the dog, is depicted as loyal and loving, showing that pets can have a positive impact on our lives.
- The story also conveys the idea that true wealth comes not from material possessions but from love, generosity, and kindness towards others.
- The message of the story is that good deeds and kindness lead to happiness and prosperity, while greed and cruelty lead to ruin.
- It teaches us to appreciate and care for the animals in our lives, as they can bring us joy and, in this case, even help us in unexpected ways.
- Lastly, the story reminds us that our actions have consequences, and being good to others will eventually bring rewards in life.
Question for Summary: The Ashes that Made Trees Bloom
Try yourself:
What does the story primarily emphasize?Explanation
- The story highlights the positive outcomes of being kind and generous towards others.
- It shows that acts of kindness lead to happiness and prosperity.
- The contrast between kindness and greed is a central theme in the story, emphasizing the importance of being generous and compassionate towards others.
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List of Difficult Words with Meaning
Daimios - wealthy landowners
Demure -calm
Tidbits - small pieces of food
Heron - a white bird
Chopsticks - pairs of thin, small, tapered sticks of wood used for eating Chinese food
Turned up - dug up
Smothered - Suffocated
Petted - Caressed
Gleamed - Glowed
Whining - moaning
motioning - pointing
Dripping - Falling liquid
Palanquin - is a portable bed or couch, open or enclosed, that is mounted on two poles and carried by means of poles resting on shoulders of several men.
Carcass - the dead body of an animal
flung - throw or hurt forcefully
Wither - become dry and shrivelled
Question for Summary: The Ashes that Made Trees Bloom
Try yourself:
What is the meaning of the word "Palanquin"?Explanation
- A palanquin is a portable bed or couch that is carried by men on their shoulders using poles.
- It is not a type of bird, food, or flower.
- The word "palanquin" specifically refers to a type of portable transportation device.
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