“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.
Download Free Mind Map from the link below
This mind map contains all important topics of this chapter
Visit our Class 7 English page for free mind maps of all Chapters