Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived an elderly couple. The old man had a pet sparrow that he cared for deeply, treating it almost like family. One day, he went to the mountains to gather firewood, leaving his wife at home. While he was away, the little sparrow became hungry and ate a bowl of starch paste the old woman had prepared for laundry and mending clothes. Furious at the loss, she grabbed a pair of scissors and, without mercy, cut out the bird’s tongue. In pain and fear, the sparrow fluttered away into the forest, disappearing from sight.
When the old man returned and found the sparrow gone, he was heartbroken. He asked his wife what had happened. She replied, coldly, “It ate my washing paste, so I cut out its tongue, and it flew away.” Shocked and saddened by the cruelty, the old man decided to go into the forest to search for his beloved companion. Despite his age and weariness, his heart pushed him forward, guided by love and compassion.
After a long journey through the woods, the old man came upon a clearing filled with sparrows. To his amazement, they welcomed him warmly. Among them was the sparrow he had raised, now safe and sound. The sparrows were touched by his kindness and devotion, and in gratitude, they offered him a gift. They presented two boxes and asked him to choose one: one was large and impressive, the other small and simple. Remaining humble and modest, the old man chose the smaller box, believing that kindness should not be measured by size.
He returned home and opened the box. To his surprise, gold coins and precious treasures spilled out, shimmering in the light. It was a reward not for power or greed, but for a pure and kind heart. The sound of the coins dropping onto the floor was like music, echoing the happiness of a grateful soul.
When the old woman saw the treasure, envy filled her heart. She scolded her husband for not picking the larger box and, driven by greed, set off into the forest to find the sparrows' home herself. Upon arrival, the sparrows, still polite, gave her the same choice. Without hesitation, she took the larger box, certain it would contain even greater riches. But when she opened it, she was horrified to find it filled with writhing snakes, scorpions, and poisonous creatures. Her greed had blinded her, and now she faced the consequences of her selfish actions.
This story of the tongue-cut sparrow is a cherished Japanese folktale that carries a timeless message. It teaches us that kindness is remembered, while cruelty is punished. The humble old man, guided by love and selflessness, found happiness. The greedy woman, seeking more than she deserved, met misfortune. In life, gratitude and generosity open doors to unexpected blessings, while greed leads only to sorrow.