The Ashes that Made Trees Bloom — Question 27
Back to all questionsAnimals are also living beings like us. They can’t speak like us but still can feel the love and emotions. Some animals like dog and horse are very faithful to human beings. We should be kind towards them.
It is good to offer our leftover food to the street dogs because they guard our homes. Chapattis should be offered to homeless cows. In winter we should keep bowls of water for the birds. Injured animals like pigeons, cats and dogs should be taken to veterinary doctors by us.
Chapter Overview: The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom
This Japanese folk tale tells the story of an old, kind couple and their loyal dog. The dog finds treasure for them, but their greedy neighbours kill the dog. Magical events follow — ashes from the dog's mortar make dead cherry trees bloom. The kind old man is rewarded, while the greedy neighbours are punished.
Author: Japanese folk tale | Book: Honeycomb
Key Themes
- Kindness is rewarded
- Greed leads to punishment
- Loyalty of animals
- Japanese cultural values
Common Mistakes
- Focusing too much on magic rather than the moral
- Not understanding Japanese cultural elements (daimyo, cherry blossoms)
- Confusing the sequence of magical events
- Missing that the story parallels many similar folk tales worldwide
FAQs
How was the kind old man different from his greedy neighbours?
The kind old man was gentle, generous, and grateful. He shared his fortune with others and treated his dog with love. The greedy neighbours were envious, selfish, and cruel. They wanted treasure for themselves and killed the dog when it didn't find any for them. The contrast shows how kindness leads to happiness while greed leads to suffering.
What magical events happened after the dog's death?
After the dog died: (1) The kind old man planted a tree over the dog's grave, which grew quickly. (2) He made a mortar from the tree's wood, which produced rice cakes when used. (3) The greedy neighbours borrowed and broke the mortar. (4) The old man burned the mortar's pieces and the ashes made dead cherry trees bloom. (5) The daimyo rewarded the old man. (6) The greedy neighbour's ashes flew into the daimyo's eyes, bringing punishment.
What is the moral of this story?
The moral is that kindness, generosity, and love are always rewarded, while greed, cruelty, and selfishness bring punishment. The kind old couple's genuine love for their dog and their generous nature led to miraculous rewards. The greedy neighbours, who acted out of envy and were cruel to the dog, faced humiliation and punishment. Good character matters more than material wealth.