TARO'S REWARD

WORKING WITH THE TEXT

A. Answer the following questions:

  1. Why did Taro run in the direction of the stream?
    Answer: Taro ran in the direction of the stream because he was thirsty and heard the sound of rushing water. He hoped it would be a source of water for him to drink. (The sound of rushing water caught his attention and made him curious.)

  2. How did Taro's father show his happiness after drinking sake?
    Answer: Taro's father showed his happiness by stopping his shivering and doing a little dance in the middle of the floor. He felt warm and joyful after drinking the saké, which he had wished for. (This was a clear sign of his contentment.)

  3. Why did the waterfall give Taro sake and others water?
    Answer: The waterfall gave Taro saké because he was selfless and cared for his father's happiness, working hard to earn money for him. The waterfall gave others only water because they were greedy and wanted the saké for themselves without thinking of others. (The magic waterfall responded to Taro's kindness and not to the villagers' selfishness.)

  4. Why did the villagers want to drown Taro?
    Answer: The villagers wanted to drown Taro because they felt tricked and angry. They believed Taro had deceived them when the waterfall gave them only water instead of the magical saké. Their frustration led them to want to punish him. (They were upset about not getting the saké as they expected.)

  5. Why did the Emperor reward Taro?
    Answer: The Emperor rewarded Taro because of his selflessness and dedication to his parents. Taro worked hard to provide for his father and showed kindness, which the Emperor wanted to recognize and encourage. (The Emperor appreciated Taro's thoughtful actions and wanted to honor him.)

B. Mark the right item:

Taro earned very little money because
Answer: (iii) the price of wood was very low.
Explanation: Taro worked hard as a woodcutter, but the amount of money he earned was small because the price of wood was not high.
Taro decided to earn extra money

Answer: (ii) to buy his old father some saké.
Explanation: Taro wanted to buy saké for his father because he wished to fulfill his father's request and keep him warm, even though saké was expensive.

3. The neighbor left Taro's hut in a hurry because

Answer: (iii) she wanted to tell the whole village about the waterfall.
Explanation: After tasting the saké and hearing Taro's story, the neighbor was eager to spread the news of the magical waterfall to everyone in the village.

WORKING WITH LANGUAGE

A. Strike off the words in the box below that are not suitable.

Taro wanted to give his old parents everything they needed. This shows that he was:

  • thoughtful

  • hardworking

  • loving

  • considerate

  • kind

(These are the suitable words. The words honest, trustworthy, and efficient are not the best fit in this context. They don't directly relate to Taro's desire to care for his parents.)

B.

  1. "This made Taro sadder than ever."
    This refers to:
    (iii) Taro's inability to buy expensive saké for his father.
    Explanation: Taro becomes sad because he wishes to buy saké for his father, but it is too expensive.

  2. "This, said the emperor, was to encourage all children to honour and obey their parents."
    This refers to:
    (ii) rewarding Taro with gold and giving the fountain his name.
    Explanation: The emperor rewarded Taro to encourage others to respect and care for their parents in the same way Taro did.

C. Arrange the words below in pairs that rhyme.

  • young - lung

  • money - sunny

  • chop - stop

  • could - would

  • wax - axe

  • fast - last

  • wood - good

  • way - day

  • round - sound

THE QUARREL

Additional Questions with Answers:

1. What was the reason for the quarrel between the speaker and their brother?
Answer: The speaker doesn't clearly remember the reason for the quarrel. The argument started over something small, and they "fell out" without knowing why.

2. How does the speaker describe the start and end of the quarrel?
Answer: The speaker describes the start of the quarrel as "slight" and the end as "strong." This shows that the disagreement escalated, even though it began with a minor issue.

3. How did the brother end the quarrel?
Answer: The brother ended the quarrel by thumping the speaker on the back and saying, "Oh, come along! We can't go on all night—I was in the wrong." This was an acknowledgment of his mistake and an apology.

4. What is the significance of the line, "We can't go on all night—I was in the wrong"?
Answer: This line signifies that the brother realized the quarrel had gone on long enough, and he took responsibility for his actions by admitting he was wrong. It emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and ending conflicts.

5. What do you think the poem suggests about the nature of quarrels between siblings?
Answer: The poem suggests that quarrels between siblings are common and often arise from small misunderstandings. However, such quarrels don't usually last long and can be resolved with understanding and an apology. The reconciliation restores the relationship, showing that familial bonds are stronger than petty arguments.

6. How does the poem convey the idea that sibling quarrels are temporary?
Answer: The poem conveys that sibling quarrels are temporary by showing the quick resolution of the argument. Despite the intense emotions at the start, the quarrel ends with the brother admitting his mistake and reconciling with the speaker. The tone of the poem is light, suggesting that such disputes are not lasting.

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