The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom Class 7 Notes and Mind Map (Free PDF Download)

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“The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom” is a Japanese story. An old couple loves their dog Muko like a child. Muko’s spirit helps them find gold and bloom trees. Their greedy neighbours try the same but fail. It shows kindness wins over greed.

1. Introduction to the Story

  • What the Story Is:
    • This is a Japanese tale about an old couple.
    • It shows values like honesty and kindness.
  • Main Characters:
    • An old farmer and his wife love their dog.
    • The dog, named Muko, is like their child.
  • Setting:
    • The story happens in old Japan with daimios.
    • Daimios were rich landowners long ago.

2. The Old Couple and Their Dog

  • The old woman makes a blue cushion for Muko.
  • They feed him fish and rice with chopsticks.
  • Muko loves them back like a human.
  • He feels their care and stays close.
  • The farmer works in rice fields every day.
  • He uses a hoe or spade till sunset.
  • Muko follows him to the fields.
  • He doesn’t harm birds eating worms.

3. The Hidden Gold

  • One day, Muko runs to the farmer.
  • He paws his legs and whines a lot.
  • At first, the farmer thinks it’s play.
  • But Muko keeps running to a spot.
  • Muko scratches the ground hard.
  • The farmer digs and finds gold coins.
  • The gold makes the couple rich fast.
  • They buy land and share with friends.

4. The Greedy Neighbours

  • A mean old man and woman live nearby.
  • They hate dogs and kick them always.
  • They hear about the gold from the dog.
  • They trick Muko to their house with food.
  • Muko is scared and won’t eat.
  • He doesn’t trust the cruel pair.
  • They drag Muko to a pine tree.
  • He scratches, but they find a dead kitten.
  • Angry, the old man beats Muko to death.
  • The woman cuts him with a hoe.

5. The Dog’s Spirit Helps

  • The farmer cries for Muko like a son.
  • He puts flowers and food on the grave.
  • Muko’s spirit comes in a dream.
  • It says cut the pine tree for a mortar and mill.
  • The farmer cuts the tree and makes a mortar.
  • He crafts a mill for beans too.
  • When they pound rice, it turns to gold.
  • Grinding beans makes more gold drop.

6. Neighbours’ Greed Again

  • The mean neighbours peek and see gold.
  • They get jealous of the couple’s luck.
  • They borrow the mortar and mill.
  • They try to make gold like the couple.
  • The rice and beans turn into worms.
  • Furious, they burn the mill to pieces.

7. The Magic Ashes

  • Muko’s spirit comes in another dream.
  • It says use the mill’s ashes on trees.
  • The farmer asks the neighbours for ashes.
  • They scold him but let him take some.
  • He sprinkles ashes on a bare cherry tree.
  • It blooms with pink flowers suddenly.

8. The Daimio’s Reward

  • The village hears of the blooming tree.
  • Everyone comes to see the wonder.
  • The farmer knows the daimio will pass.
  • He climbs a withered tree with ashes.
  • People kneel when the daimio comes.
  • They shut windows to show respect.
  • The farmer sprinkles ashes on the tree.
  • It blooms, and the daimio stops to see.
  • The daimio is happy and calls the farmer.
  • He gives him silk robes and gifts.

9. The Neighbour’s Punishment

  • The mean man takes the leftover ashes.
  • He waits for the daimio on the road.
  • He climbs a tree instead of kneeling.
  • He throws ashes on the daimio’s tree.
  • The tree doesn’t bloom at all.
  • Ashes blow into the daimio’s eyes.
  • The daimio’s guard pulls him down.
  • He’s beaten and left in a ditch.
  • The mean man dies in the mud.
  • The good couple live long and happy.

10. Comprehension Check

  • They kill Muko because he didn’t find gold.
  • They got a dead kitten instead.
  • The couple loved Muko like their baby.
  • They were kind to all living things.
  • They lived well and helped poor neighbours.
  • They shared their wealth kindly.
  • They borrowed the mill for gold.
  • They wanted to get rich too.

11. Questions and Answers

  • The Old Farmer Is a Kind Person. What Evidence of His Kindness Do You Find in the First Two Paragraphs?:
    • He feeds Muko with his own chopsticks.
    • He’s gentle with birds in the field.
  • What Did the Dog Do to Lead the Farmer to the Hidden Gold?:
    • Muko scratched the ground hard.
    • He whined and ran to show the spot.
  • (i) How Did the Spirit of the Dog Help the Farmer First? (ii) How Did It Help Him Next?:
    • First, it told him to make a mortar and mill.
    • They turned rice and beans into gold.
    • Next, it said use ashes to bloom trees.
    • This got him rewards from the daimio.
  • Why Did the Daimio Reward the Farmer but Punish His Neighbour for the Same Act?:
    • The farmer’s ashes made a tree bloom.
    • The daimio liked it and gave gifts.
    • The neighbour’s ashes hurt the daimio.
    • He got punished for the mess.

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