Once, there lived an honest man with his wife. They loved their pet dog and raised him with affection. One day, when the old man was working in the garden, the dog began barking. The old man began digging there. They found a box full of gold pieces. The stingy neighbour heard the story and borrowed the dog. He took the dog in his garden. The dog stopped at a place and started sniffing. The neighbour started digging. He found nothing but the dirt and garbage. Furious, he seized the dog and killed it. He told the couple that the dog had just dropped dead. They cried and buried it under the pine tree where they had found the treasure. That night, when the honest man was fast asleep, the dog appeared in his dream and thanked him. The dog told him to cut down the pine tree and make a mortar from it.
The Old Man Made Withered Trees Blossom
The old man did as the dog had said. When he ground his rice in it, each grain of rice turned into gold. The stingy neighbour borrowed the mortar. But, when he used it, the rice turned to foul-smelling berries. Angrily, he broke the mortar and burnt it. One night, the dog again appeared in the old man’s dream and told him to take the ashes of the burnt mortar and sprinkle them on the withered trees. When he did, the cherry trees bloomed. The neighbour also tried to do the same, but the ashes blew into the eyes of the landlord which ultimately led him to prison. When he came out of the prison, the people of the village did not let him live there. His wickedness made it difficult for him to find a new home. The honest old man, on the other hand, became rich with the treasure of gold. He led a long and happy life, and was respected by all.
