In a quiet Japanese village long ago, a kind old man and his gentle wife lived a simple and peaceful life. They had no children, but they deeply loved their loyal white dog, treating it as part of the family. One day, while working in the fields, the dog suddenly started barking and digging with excitement, as if trying to say, “Dig here! Woof! Woof!” The old man, curious and trusting, dug where the dog indicated. To his astonishment, he uncovered a hidden pile of gold and silver coins. The couple was overjoyed, not only by the treasure but by the loyalty of their beloved pet.
News of their fortune quickly reached their neighbor, a greedy and envious man who demanded the dog help him find treasure as well. The dog barked at a spot, but when no treasure was found, the cruel neighbor, filled with rage, killed the innocent animal. The kind couple was heartbroken beyond words. They gently buried their beloved dog in the garden and planted a tree beside its grave, mourning their loss with quiet dignity.
A miracle followed. The tree they planted grew rapidly overnight into a strong, towering trunk. That night, the old man dreamed of the dog, who told him to carve the tree into a mortar for pounding rice. Following the dream, he shaped the wood and began using it. To his amazement, every time he pounded rice, gold coins would pour out of the mortar. Once again, the greedy neighbor learned of this and begged to borrow the mortar. But when he used it, no treasure appeared. Enraged, he burned it and returned only the ashes to the old man.
That night, the dog visited the old man in a dream once more. This time, it instructed him to scatter the ashes on the lifeless trees in his garden. Trusting the message, he did as told. By morning, all the barren trees had blossomed with vibrant cherry flowers, even though it was the middle of winter. The sight was so extraordinary that it caught the attention of the emperor, who happened to be passing through the area. Deeply impressed by the blooming trees in winter, the emperor honored the kind old man with gifts and great recognition.
Hoping to earn similar praise and riches, the greedy neighbor tried to mimic the miracle. He scattered ashes on his own trees in front of the emperor, but nothing happened. Instead, the ashes blew into the emperor’s eyes, causing pain and great annoyance. Outraged, the emperor ordered the greedy man to be arrested immediately. And so, in the end, kindness was rewarded while greed and cruelty led only to disgrace.