Taro's Reward & The Quarrel

Taro's Daily Struggle: Taro was a young, impoverished woodcutter who chopped wood on the mountain slopes from dawn till dusk. Despite back-breaking labor, he earned very little money, which grieved him because he desperately wanted to provide comfort for his elderly parents.

The Cold Evening & Father's Wish: One bitterly chilly evening, cold wind blew through cracks in the walls of their wooden hut. Taro's shivering father sighed: "I wish I had a cup of sake; it would warm me and do my old heart good." Sake was an expensive fermented drink far beyond Taro's means, making the son weep with sadness.

The Magic Waterfall: Next morning, Taro woke earlier than usual and chopped wood vigorously until his body was heated and his throat parched. Suddenly, he heard the faint sound of rushing water. Pushing through the bushes, he discovered a hidden, pristine waterfall tumbling over smooth rocks. When Taro knelt and tasted the liquid with cupped hands, it wasn't cold water—it was delicious, warming sake! Taro eagerly filled his pitcher and hurried home. His father drank a bowl, stopped shivering immediately, and danced with joyful vigor.

The Greedy Villagers: A visiting neighbor learned of the miracle and spread the gossip throughout the village. By evening, hundreds of villagers armed with pitchers, jars, and buckets swarmed the forest waterfall. However, when the greedy villagers drank, it was nothing but cold, plain mountain water! Enraged, they shouted that they had been tricked and plotted to drown Taro. Taro hid behind a rock until the disgruntled crowd dispersed.

The Emperor's Royal Decree: Tasting it once more, Taro confirmed the spring was still pure sake for him. When the Emperor of Japan heard the tale, he sent for Taro and presented him with twenty pieces of gold for having been so good and noble, and named the most beautiful fountain in the capital city after him to encourage all children to honor and obey their parents.

Eleanor Farjeon's poem captures the universal experience of brotherly and sisterly arguments.

Structure & Thematic Breakdown

• Stanza 1: The Baseless Origin: "I quarrelled with my brother / I don't know what about / One thing led to another / And somehow we fell out." The poet emphasizes that sibling quarrels often begin over insignificant absurdities. Although the cause was slight, the bitterness expanded until "the start of it was slight / the end of it was strong."
• Stanza 2: The Afternoon Gloom & Resolution: "The afternoon turned black." The emotional rift ruined the entire day with sullen anger. Suddenly, the brother broke the prideful deadlock by walking up, thumping the speaker on the back, and admitting: "Oh, come along! We can't go on all night — I was in the wrong." By generously taking the blame, the brother proved he was actually in the right.

Poetic Nuances

• Metaphor: "The afternoon turned black" (reflects emotional gloom rather than weather).
• Idiom: "Fell out" (had a serious disagreement or argument).
• Rhyme Scheme: Alternate rhyme (ABAB / CDCD) creates a jaunty, candid rhythm.

Key Terms

• Sake: A traditional Japanese fermented rice beverage known for its warming qualities.
• Pitcher: A large clay or ceramic container with a handle and lip for holding and pouring liquids.
• Mutters: Speaking in a low, quiet voice, often complaining unclearly.
• Trick: Deceive or dupe someone maliciously.