Learning Objectives
- Understand the story and its message about respecting elders
- Learn about Japanese culture and values from the story
- Identify the themes of obedience, love, and honesty
- Practise vocabulary and answer-writing skills
Key Concepts
About the Story
This is a Japanese folk tale that teaches the value of respecting and caring for one's parents. It shows how good deeds and devotion to parents are rewarded.
Story Summary
Taro is a young woodcutter who lives with his old parents on a hillside in Japan. He works very hard but earns very little money. One cold winter evening, his old father wishes he could have a cup of sake (a Japanese rice drink) to warm himself up. Taro feels sad because he cannot afford to buy sake for his father.
The next morning, Taro works harder than ever, chopping wood with great energy, driven by his love for his father. While working in the forest, he hears the sound of rushing water. He follows the sound and discovers a beautiful waterfall hidden in the forest. When he cups the water in his hands and tastes it, he is amazed — the water tastes like delicious sake!
Taro fills a pitcher with the magical water and rushes home. He gives it to his old father, who drinks it happily and feels warm and cheerful. The news of the magical waterfall spreads through the village. Greedy neighbours rush to the waterfall to get the sake for themselves, but when they taste the water, it is just plain, cold water — not sake at all.
Taro's Reward
The Emperor of Japan hears about Taro's devotion to his parents and rewards him with a prize for being the most dutiful and loving son. The magical waterfall rewarded Taro because of his love and devotion to his father, but it gave only ordinary water to the greedy neighbours. The story teaches that goodness and love are always rewarded.
Moral of the Story
The story teaches us to love and respect our parents and elders. A child who cares for their parents is the most honourable person. Greed is never rewarded, but selfless love and devotion always bring good fortune.
Important Terms
- Woodcutter: A person who cuts wood for a living
- Sake: A traditional Japanese rice drink served warm
- Waterfall: A stream of water falling from a height
- Dutiful: Obedient and respectful, fulfilling one's duties
- Devoted: Deeply loving and loyal
- Greedy: Wanting more than one needs or deserves
- Emperor: The ruler of an empire (Japan's king)
- Reward: A prize given for good behaviour or achievement
Quick Revision
- Taro was a poor but hardworking Japanese woodcutter
- His old father wished for sake on a cold winter evening
- Taro found a magical waterfall that produced sake-tasting water
- His father drank the sake-like water and felt warm and happy
- Greedy villagers got only plain water from the same waterfall
- The Emperor rewarded Taro for his devotion to his parents
- Moral: Love and care for parents is always rewarded; greed gets nothing