Taro’s Reward Summary Class 6 Chapter Three
Taro was a young wood cutter who lived with his poor parents on a lonely hillside. He earned money by chopping woods from the jungle. He worked very hard but it was not sufficient for him and his parents. One evening a strong wind began to blow when Taro sits with his parents. His father wished to have a cup of sake to warm him. It was very expensive drink for them to buy so he felt very sad and decided to work harder than before.
Next morning Taro went early and started working even harder. He kept on chopping the wood for a long time. His mouth was dry and he felt thirsty, suddenly he heard the sound of falling water from the stream, which he had never seen before over there. He ran towards the waterfall. He drank the liquid but to his surprise it was not water but sake. Taro had a pitcher with him and filled it with delicious liquid and hurried home. He gave it to the old father who found it very tasty and heart warming. He took just one swallow, and it stopped his shivering and he began to dance. Next Taro gave it to an old lady and told her the entire story and through her the news of magical waterfall spreads in the entire village. Within half an hour, the Picher was empty.
Next morning much before Taro, all the villagers had reached the magic waterfall. However they tasted the liquid and became angry. It was just like a cold water. The villagers were disappointed and felt tricked by Taro and then started cursing him. Taro however cleverly managed to save himself in the forest. When they had gone, after that Taro came out of his hiding place. He was confused and thought to test again whether it was reality or dream. He tasted the magic liquid but it was the same fine sake. It was now clear that the magic waterfall gave sake only to Taro and his family and for rest it was like cold water.
The story of Taro and his magical waterfall reached to the emperor of Japan. He rewarded Taro for his goodness and gave him twenty pieces of gold. He named the most beautiful fountain of the city after Taro. This was to encourage all children to honour and obey their parents.