A young woodcutter name taro lived with is mother and father on a lonely hillside. All day lonf he chopped wood in the forest. Though he work very hard, he earn very little money. This made him very sad, for he was a thoughtful son and wanted to give hus old parents every thing they needed. One evening, when taro and his parents were sotting in a corner of their house Taro asked his father and mother is there anything you need? Taro father said, "I wish i had a cup of sake", it would warm me and do my old heart good. This made taro sadder than ever, for the heart warming drink called sake was very expensive .How do i earn more money? he asked himself. so taro decided to work harder than before.
Next morning, taro jumped out of his bed earlier than usual and made his way to the forest. He chopped and cut down the tree as it was alrrady evening he was so warm thathe had to teke of his jacket. His mouth was dry, and his face was wet with sweat, "MY poor old father" he thought and with that thought he began to chop even faster, thinking of the extra money he must earn to buy the sake to warm my father heart.
Then suddenly taro stopped chopping, what was that sound he heard? could it possibly be rushing water?
Taro could not remember ever seeing or hearing stream in that part of the forest, He was thirsty, he dropped the axe out of his hand and he ran in that direction of the sound.
Taro saw a beautiful little waterfall behind a rock. Kneeling at a place where the water flow quitely, he cupped a little in his hand and put its his lips. He was shocked it was tasted of sake .He tasted again and again, and always it was the delicious sake instead of cold water.
