Chapter 3: Taro's Reward

Introduction

"Taro's Reward" is a traditional Japanese tale that beautifully illustrates the virtues of hard work, kindness, and filial piety. It tells the story of a devoted son who, through his selfless efforts to fulfill his old father's wish, is rewarded by nature itself.

Important Note: The complete original text of the chapter cannot be provided here due to copyright restrictions. Below is a summary of the story and questions/answers which will help you understand this chapter.

Story Summary

There once lived a young woodcutter named **Taro** with his old parents on a lonely hillside. He was a very **hardworking** and thoughtful son, but they were very poor. Though he worked hard from morning till night, he earned very little money, which was barely enough to meet their basic needs. Their small cottage was cold, and his parents longed for **sake** (a Japanese drink that warms the body).

One cold evening, Taro's old father wished he had some sake to warm himself. This made Taro sad because sake was expensive. He desperately wanted to buy it for his father. The next morning, he rose even earlier than usual and went to the forest, determined to work harder and earn enough money for the sake.

As he chopped wood, he heard a strange sound – the sound of **rushing water**. He had never heard a waterfall in that part of the forest before. Curious and thirsty, he followed the sound. To his surprise, he found a beautiful little waterfall hidden behind a rock. When he tasted the water, it was not ordinary cold water, but delicious **sake**! Taro filled his pitcher with the sake and hurried home to share it with his father.

His old father was delighted and drank the sake, feeling warm and cheerful. He even danced, which he hadn't done for many years. Taro shared the secret of the magical waterfall with his parents, but they decided to keep it to themselves.

The next morning, as soon as the news of the magical sake waterfall spread among the villagers, they all rushed to Taro's house. An old woman, curious about the sake, asked Taro about it, and he, being honest, told her about the waterfall. Soon, all the villagers, with their pitchers and buckets, raced to the waterfall. However, when they tasted the water, it was just plain, cold water! They felt cheated and angry, thinking Taro had lied.

They decided to drown Taro in the waterfall for deceiving them. But Taro, being a thoughtful person, had hidden himself behind a rock when he saw the angry crowd. The chief of the village, seeing the situation, came forward. He asked Taro why the water tasted like sake for him but plain water for others. Taro explained that the waterfall was a reward for his good deeds and his love for his father. The chief realized that the magical sake was a reward only for Taro's selflessness and hard work.

Impressed by Taro's honesty and his devotion to his parents, the Emperor of Japan heard about his story. He rewarded Taro with **twenty pieces of gold** and named the most beautiful fountain in the city after him. This was done to encourage all children to honour and obey their parents, just as Taro did. Taro continued to live happily with his parents, always working hard and cherishing them.

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Textbook Questions and Answers for "Taro's Reward"

I. Answer the following questions in a few words or one-two sentences.

  1. Who was Taro?

    Taro was a young, hardworking woodcutter who lived with his old parents.

  2. Why was Taro sad despite working hard?

    Taro was sad because his earnings were very little, and he couldn't afford sake for his old father, who desired it to warm himself.

  3. What did Taro's father wish for one cold evening?

    Taro's father wished for a cup of sake to warm his old body.

  4. What sound did Taro hear in the forest that surprised him?

    Taro heard the sound of rushing water, like a waterfall, which he had never heard before in that part of the forest.

  5. What was unique about the water from the waterfall Taro found?

    The water from the waterfall Taro found tasted like delicious sake, not ordinary cold water.

II. Answer each question in a short paragraph (approx. 30 words).

  1. How did Taro plan to make his old parents happy?

    Taro planned to make his old parents happy by working even harder than before to earn enough money to buy expensive sake for his father, who longed for it.

  2. Why did the villagers rush to Taro's house the next morning?

    The villagers rushed to Taro's house the next morning because they heard the news about the magical sake waterfall and wanted to get some of the delicious drink for themselves.

  3. Why did the sake turn into plain water for the villagers?

    The sake turned into plain water for the villagers because the magical waterfall rewarded only Taro's selfless love and hard work for his parents, not the greed of others.

  4. What did the Emperor do to reward Taro?

    The Emperor rewarded Taro with twenty pieces of gold and named the most beautiful fountain in the city after him, encouraging others to respect and obey their parents.

III. Answer each question in two or three paragraphs (100–150 words).

  1. Describe Taro's character and how his actions reflect his devotion to his parents.

    Taro was a young woodcutter characterized by his honesty, hard work, and profound devotion to his elderly parents. Despite his diligent efforts, he earned very little, causing him constant sadness that he couldn't provide more for them. His deepest desire was to meet their needs and desires, especially his old father's wish for sake on a cold evening. This specific wish propelled him to work even harder, rising earlier than ever before, not for his own benefit, but solely to fulfill his father's longing.

    His filial devotion is further highlighted when he discovers the magical sake waterfall. His first thought is not to drink it himself or to get rich, but to immediately take it home to his father. He shares the secret with his parents, demonstrating his trust and transparency. Even when the greedy villagers arrive and misunderstand the waterfall's nature, Taro, though he hides, always acts with integrity. The Emperor's reward explicitly acknowledges his exceptional kindness and respect for his parents, making him a role model for all children.

  2. Explain the significance of the magical sake waterfall in the story. Why did it give sake only to Taro and plain water to others?

    The magical sake waterfall is the central symbolic element in "Taro's Reward." It represents nature's or divine recognition and reward for pure intentions and selfless actions. It is not merely a source of sake but a magical entity that understands and responds to the sincerity of one's heart. For Taro, who was driven by deep love and responsibility towards his aging parents, the waterfall miraculously yielded delicious sake, fulfilling his earnest desire to warm and comfort his father.

    Conversely, for the greedy villagers who rushed to the waterfall with their buckets and pitchers, motivated by selfish desires for wealth and free pleasure, the water remained plain and cold. The waterfall's magic was discerning; it did not reward avarice or mere curiosity. It served as a moral compass, differentiating between Taro's genuine filial piety and the villagers' materialistic greed. Thus, the waterfall teaches that true rewards come not from external luck, but from the purity of one's intentions and the dedication one shows towards virtuous deeds, especially caring for one's family.

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