Today I read a wonderful story from the book titled "Honeysuckle" which was sent by Gagan Sir in our WhatsApp group. This story is based on true events. The story goes like this...



Taro was a poor child. He made money by chopping down trees in the forest. However, the money he made was insufficient to support him and his parents.


It began to grow cold wind one day. The wind blowing from the tracks of the wooden house made everyone in the house feel cold. His father sought some liquor to revitalise his heart. (Sake is a popular and expensive Japanese drink.) Taro was disappointed since he did not have enough money to purchase the pricey sake.


He made the decision to work hard. He got up early the next day and went to the forest to chop wood.

He was startled to hear the sound of falling water. It perplexed him because there had previously been no river here.


He followed the sound of water since he was thirsty as well. He soon discovered a waterfall behind the rock. He approached the river and placed his hand in it. He moistens his lips with water. To his surprise, he learned that the ordinary water was actually sake. He smiled and poured some sake into his pitcher.


When he arrived at his father’s house, he offered him his sake. The father sipped the sake and began to dance joyfully.


In the evening, a neighbour arrived. Father presented her with a cup of Sake. The woman gladly accepted the sake. Taro then taught her all about the enchantment of waterfalls.


Now the woman has informed everyone in the community. Everyone in the village rushed to Taro’s house to sample the sake.


Taro awoke early the next morning. He went to the waterfall after searching for the largest pitcher.


Surprisingly, he discovered that other villagers were also going to the waterfall.


People quickly arrived at the waterfall and sampled the water. However, they discovered that the waterfall’s water was not sake, but rather plain water. People became enraged and resolved to drown Taro in water. Taro hid in the forest to avoid their wrath. He tasted liquid after they had left. It was the same excellent sake. The waterfall produced Taro Sake, whereas the villager received plain water.


The king learned of Taro’s concern for his parents. He gave Taro twenty pieces of gold as a reward. Then he named the city’s most beautiful fountain Taro. This was done to encourage other children to look after their parents.


The moral of the story is that we must look after our parents and elders. Only those who take good care of their parents will be blessed by God.