The Old Man Who Planted Trees: A Japanese Tale of Kindness and Magic

Brief Description: This Japanese fairy tale tells the story of a kind old man who possessed the magical ability to revive withered trees. His story shows how caring for nature and a pure heart can work wonders.

Long ago, in a small Japanese village, lived an old man named Hanasaka-ji san, which means "The Old Man Who Makes Flowers Bloom." He was known for his kindness and love for nature. His little cottage was surrounded by a garden where the most beautiful flowers grew, and every withered stem in his hands came back to life.

The old man lived with his faithful dog named Shiro. They were inseparable, and together they took care of the trees, flowers, and everything that grew around them. But not far from the village lived greedy neighbors who envied how the old man turned dry land into a blooming garden.

One day, Shiro was digging in the forest. The old man, noticing this, approached closer and saw an old pot filled with gold coins in the pit. Amazed by the find, he said:

— This is a gift from nature for our care! But I will share this gold with the village so that everyone will be well.

The neighbors heard about this and came to the old man, demanding that he give them his dog, hoping that they too would find gold. The old man, not wanting to quarrel, handed over Shiro, but the evil neighbors found nothing. In their rage, they mistreated the dog, and it ran away, returning to its owner.

Despite everything, the old man continued to care for the trees and flowers. One day, he found a withered cherry tree in the forest. Its branches were bare, and the bark was cracked. The old man couldn't walk by. He took some ash from his hearth and sprinkled it on the tree's roots, saying:

— May life return to you as a token of gratitude for all that you have given to the world.

And a miracle occurred: the tree's branches turned green, and in an instant, delicate pink flowers bloomed on it. The old man smiled and said:

— Flowers are a reminder that even what seems dead can come back to life.

The villagers, seeing this miracle, began to treat nature with respect. Even the evil neighbors realized their mistakes and asked the old man for forgiveness. He forgave them and taught them how to care for the earth and the trees.

Since then, Hanasaka-ji san became a symbol of hope and love for nature. And the trees he revived continued to bloom, adorning the entire village.

Moral of the Story:

This story teaches that caring for nature and generosity are richly rewarded. Even the simplest acts can create miracles when they come from a pure heart.

Discussion Questions:

• Why was Hanasaka-ji san so attached to nature and the animals?
• How did he manage to revive the withered tree?
• What does this story teach about kindness and respect for the environment?