The Grandfather Who Brought Blossoms

An elderly couple loved their little white dog, Shiro. He followed Grandfather through the garden and slept beside Grandmother's chair. They had little money, but their home was rich in care.

One day, Shiro scratched the earth beneath an old tree. Grandfather knelt to look and uncovered a pot of coins. He thanked his small friend, repaired the roof, and helped neighbours needing food.

A neighbour borrowed Shiro, hoping to find coins too. Shiro uncovered only old stones in his garden. Disappointed, the neighbour brought him home, and Grandfather welcomed the dog with a warm bowl.

Later, a branch fell from the old tree. Grandfather shaped its wood into a little rice mortar. As he pounded the grain, something wonderful happened: the rice became a handful of shining coins.

The neighbour asked to borrow the mortar. In his hands, it produced only ordinary grain. He handled it carelessly, broke its wooden side, and burned the damaged pieces with his garden twigs.

When Grandfather came, the neighbour admitted what had happened. Grandfather was sad, but collected the cooled ashes in a basket. Shiro trotted beside him as they walked home beneath the bare trees.

A breeze lifted a little ash onto a cherry branch. At once, blossoms opened along the wood. Grandfather stared in wonder, then scattered another tiny handful. The whole tree filled with pink flowers.

News reached the local lord, whose favourite cherry tree stood leafless. He invited Grandfather to the garden. A gentle scatter of ash brought fresh blossoms there too, and everyone gathered beneath them.

The neighbour tried copying Grandfather with ashes from his own hearth, but no flowers appeared. He stopped, apologised for the broken mortar, and offered to help tend the garden instead.

Grandfather shared his reward with the village and welcomed his neighbour's help. Shiro played beneath the blossoms. The happiest treasure was not hidden in a pot: it was the kindness growing around them.