About the Author
This story is a fun and old tale from Japan. It is a folktale, which means it has been told by many people over the years. No one knows the exact writer, but it has been retold in simple words for school books like yours. The tale teaches us about love for family and hard work.
What’s the Story About?
Imagine living in a small house on a hill with your old parents. You work all day cutting wood to buy food, but money is always short. That is the life of Taro, a young boy who loves his parents very much.
One cold evening, Taro's father feels very chilly. The wind whistles through the cracks in the walls, making him shiver. He says he wishes for a cup of sake – that is a warm drink made from rice, like a special tea for cold days. But sake costs a lot, and they are too poor to buy it. Taro feels sad. He promises himself to work extra hard the next day to get some money for sake.
Early morning, Taro goes deep into the forest with his axe. He chops wood faster than ever. Suddenly, he hears the sound of rushing water nearby. Curious, he follows the noise and finds a hidden waterfall behind some bushes. The water looks clear and fresh. Feeling thirsty from all the work, Taro kneels down, cups some water in his hands, and takes a sip.
What a surprise! The water tastes just like the best sake – warm, tasty, and sweet. Taro's eyes go wide. He quickly fills his big clay pot with the magic water and runs home. He gives it to his father, who drinks a little. In no time, the old man stops shivering and feels nice and warm. Taro's mother is happy too. They all share the story with a kind neighbor lady who comes over.
But Taro worries. What if greedy people find out and use up all the magic water? He decides to keep it a secret. The next day, the neighbor tells everyone in the village about the wonderful drink. Soon, many villagers come to Taro's house with empty pots, asking for sake. Taro has to give them some, but his pot empties fast.
The villagers get excited and rush to the waterfall the next morning. They fill their pots with water, but when they taste it, it is just plain cold water – no magic at all! They get angry and shout that Taro tricked them. They even look for him to teach him a lesson. But Taro hides and goes back later. To his joy, the waterfall gives him sake again, but not to others. It seems the magic works only for kind hearts like his.
Word of this spreads far. Even the great Emperor of Japan hears about the boy who cares so much for his dad. The Emperor calls Taro to his palace. He is impressed by Taro's love and hard work. As a reward, the Emperor gives Taro twenty shiny gold coins. He also builds a beautiful fountain in the city and names it after Taro. From then on, poor people can get free sake there, all because of Taro's good heart. The story ends with everyone learning to respect parents just like Taro does.
Who’s Who in the Story
- Taro: The main hero, a young and strong woodcutter who loves his parents. He is hardworking and clever.
- Taro's Father: An old man who feels cold and wishes for sake. He is weak but happy with his son's care.
- Taro's Mother: A loving lady who lives with Taro and his father. She helps at home and smiles at their small joys.
- The Neighbor Lady: A friendly woman who visits Taro's home and shares the secret with the village.
- The Villagers: Nosy people from the village who want free sake. They get upset when the magic does not work for them.
- The Emperor: The kind ruler of Japan who hears the tale and gives Taro a big prize.
Themes and Moral
Themes (Big Ideas in the Story):
The story talks about loving your parents and working hard for them. It shows how kindness can bring magic surprises into life. It also warns about greed – when people want too much without thinking, they miss the real joy.
Moral (The Lesson):
Take good care of your parents, especially when they are old. Your love and hard work will always be rewarded in some special way. Be like Taro: thoughtful and true, not greedy like the villagers.
Important Vocabulary and Phrases
Here are some key words and short phrases from the story. I have explained them in easy words, like chatting with a friend.
| Word or Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Chopped | Cut something into small pieces, like using an axe on wood. |
| Thoughtful | Someone who thinks about others' needs and cares for them. |
| Lonely hillside | A quiet hill far from crowds, where few people live. |
| Whistled through cracks | The wind makes a soft blowing sound as it goes through small gaps in walls. |
| Sake | A tasty Japanese drink from rice that warms you up (say it like "sah-kee"). |
| Expensive | Costs a lot of money, hard to buy. |
| Rushing water | Water that flows fast and with noise, like a small river. |
| Hidden waterfall | A water fall secret behind trees or rocks, not easy to see. |
| Cupped in hands | Hold water in your joined hands like a bowl. |
| Delicious | Tastes very good, makes your mouth happy. |
| Pitcher | A big clay pot for holding water or drinks. |
| Shivering | Shaking because of cold, like your body trembles. |
| Greedily | Wanting more and more without sharing, in a selfish way. |
| Procession | A line of people walking together, like in a parade. |
| Muttering | Talking in a low, grumpy voice, not clear. |
| Sent for | Called someone to come, like inviting a friend over. |
| Encourage | Give someone the push to do good things, like cheering them on. |