Chapter 4: The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom … Chivvy
The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom
Overview of the Story
“The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom” is a Japanese folk tale that narrates the story of an old couple and their dog. The tale emphasizes themes of kindness, reward, and the supernatural elements in folklore.
Main Characters
Key Characters
- The Old Couple: Kind-hearted and hardworking, they are central to the story.
- The Dog (Muko): Loyal and beloved by the old couple, Muko helps them discover hidden treasure.
- The Wicked Neighbor: Envious and cruel, he mistreats the dog and faces the consequences of his actions.
Plot Summary
The Dog’s Discovery
- Finding the Treasure: Muko, the dog, helps the old couple find gold buried in their garden.
- Generosity of the Couple: The couple shares their newfound wealth with their neighbors.
The Neighbor’s Envy
- The Neighbor’s Greed: The wicked neighbor borrows Muko to find treasure but ends up killing the dog in frustration when it doesn’t find anything for him.
- Retaliation by the Neighbor: He buries the dog’s body and burns the wooden mortar that belonged to the kind couple.
The Magical Ashes
- The Tree’s Blooming: The old man collects the ashes from the burnt mortar, which miraculously make a withered tree bloom when sprinkled.
- Recognition by the Daimio: The local lord, impressed by the blooming tree, rewards the kind old couple generously.
Consequences for the Wicked Neighbor
- Failed Attempt: The wicked neighbor tries to replicate the magic but fails, leading to his disgrace and punishment.
Moral of the Story
Key Takeaways
- Kindness and Reward: The story teaches that kindness and good deeds are rewarded.
- Greed and Consequences: It also warns against greed and mistreatment of others.
Chivvy
Overview of the Poem
“Chivvy” by Michael Rosen is a poem that humorously depicts the constant instructions given by adults to children. It highlights the repetitive nature of these commands and the impact they have on children.
Themes of the Poem
Key Themes
- Adult Supervision: The poem explores the theme of adult supervision and the endless list of dos and don’ts imposed on children.
- Independence and Growth: It also touches on the need for children to have some independence to grow and learn on their own.
Language and Style
Use of Language
- Repetition: The poem uses repetition to mimic the constant nagging that children experience.
- Humor: The humorous tone of the poem makes the serious message about giving children space more relatable.
Moral and Message
Key Takeaways
- Balancing Guidance and Freedom: The poem suggests that while guidance is necessary, children also need the freedom to explore and learn independently.
- Understanding Children’s Perspective: It encourages adults to understand the impact of their constant instructions on children.
Conclusion
Summary of the Chapter
“The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom” teaches valuable lessons about kindness, reward, and the consequences of greed.
“Chivvy” humorously addresses the theme of adult supervision and the need for children to have space to grow and learn.
Additional Information
Key Terms and Concepts
- Kindness: The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
- Repetition: The action of repeating something that has already been said or written.
- Independence: The state of being free from outside control.
Important Examples and Cases
- Muko’s Loyalty: Demonstrates the theme of loyalty and its rewards.
- Repetitive Commands in “Chivvy”: Illustrates the impact of constant adult supervision on children.
Notable Observations
- Folklore Elements: “The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom” incorporates elements of Japanese folklore, including magical realism.
- Poetic Devices: “Chivvy” effectively uses repetition and humor to convey its message.
FAQs
The main theme is kindness and its rewards.
The main characters are the old couple, their dog Muko, and the wicked neighbor.
Muko helps the old couple by finding gold buried in their garden.
The couple shares their newfound wealth with their neighbors.
The wicked neighbor becomes envious and borrows Muko to find treasure for himself.
The neighbor kills Muko in frustration when the dog does not find any treasure for him.
The neighbor buries the dog’s body and burns the wooden mortar that belonged to the kind couple.
The old man collects the ashes, which miraculously make a withered tree bloom when sprinkled.
The Daimio is impressed by the blooming tree and rewards the old couple generously.
The story teaches that kindness and good deeds are rewarded, while greed and cruelty lead to negative consequences.
The wicked neighbor fails and faces disgrace and punishment.
The poem “Chivvy” is written by Michael Rosen.
The poem describes the constant instructions given by adults to children.
The themes of adult supervision, independence, and the impact of constant instructions on children are explored.
The poem uses repetition to mimic the constant nagging that children experience from adults.
The tone of the poem is humorous and relatable.
The poem suggests that while guidance is necessary, children also need the freedom to explore and learn independently.
The poem encourages adults to understand the impact of their constant instructions on children and to give them some space.
Some commands include “Pull your socks up,” “Don’t talk with your mouth full,” and “Sit up straight.”
The old couple demonstrates kindness by taking good care of their dog Muko and sharing their treasure with neighbors.
The magical element is the ashes from the burnt mortar making a withered tree bloom.
The wicked neighbor’s greed leads to his downfall as he mistreats Muko, fails to replicate the magic, and faces punishment.
The Daimio’s reward signifies the recognition and appreciation of the couple’s kindness and good fortune.
The poem highlights the need for children to have independence by showing the overwhelming nature of constant adult instructions.
Both works teach the importance of kindness and understanding, whether it is in the form of rewarding good deeds or giving children the space to grow.
Chapter 4: The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom … Chivvy MCQs
1. Who are the main characters in “The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom”?
2. What is the main theme of “The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom”?
3. Who helps the old couple find the hidden treasure?
4. What happens when the wicked neighbor borrows the dog?
5. What miraculous event occurs with the ashes from the burnt mortar?
6. How does the local lord (Daimio) reward the old couple?
7. What lesson does the story “The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom” teach?
8. Who wrote the poem “Chivvy”?
9. What is the main theme of the poem “Chivvy”?
10. How does the poem “Chivvy” use repetition?
11. What is the tone of the poem “Chivvy”?
12. What lesson does the poem “Chivvy” suggest about adult supervision?
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