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The Cherry Tree of Sakuradani

(Japanese classical stories)(Ehime)

Translation　Laurence Hunter

おりがみをつくろう ( おりがみくらぶ より) さくら

・日本語　・日本語＆英語　・英語　・日本語＆中国語　・日本語＆客家語

　Once upon a time, an old man lived with his grandson in a place called Sakuradani.

　Sine long ago there stood a magnificent tree in the place of Sakuradani.

　When the old man was a child, every year when the spring came ,the cherry tree would come into full bloom, he would stop his work in the field and gaze on spellbound at it’s beauty.

　And when the petals of the tree would scatter themselves across the ground, he would gather them up one by one and bury them under the tree .

"Oh, cherry tree.Thank you for the pleasure you give me year after year."

　The old man had now gotten on in years and had become unable to move as well as he used to.



　Now, one cold day in February, the old man sat still listening to the sound of the North Wind and spoke to his grandson.

"I have lived a happy life.But how I would dearly love to see that cherry tree's flowers in bloom just one more time. "

"But now it's February, how could such a thing happen.No matter how much ..." Replied his grandson.

　But the young man paused in sentence, then kept silent.

　The old man then closed his eyes and tears fell from his face.

　Surely, he must have been picturing in his mind the image of the cherry blossoms.

"Grandfather, wait!"

　The young man, without waiting jumped up and ran outside.

　He ran through the cold North Wind and went to a place just under the great cherry tree.

　That day it was particularly cold and the thin branches of the tree seemed to be shaking with the freezing cold.

　The young man then put both hands together and begged of the tree.

"O great cherry tree .Somehow, please , make you’re flowers bloom.

　My grandfather will soon pass away.

　While my grandfather is still alive, I would like you to show your flowers once more."

　The young man prayed continuously and repeatedly under the tree, and even though night came he did not move.



　Eventually day broke and morning came.

　Although the young man who had continued praying under the cherry tree had lost consciousness from the extreme cold , he suddenly felt warmth and was awakened .

"Why is it so warm? Also, I can smell the sweet scent of flowers."

　The young man raised his face slowly and looked at the cherry tree.

"And low and behold!"

　What a sight he saw, the cherry tree, from branch to branch was full of blooming flowers

　All on a cold day in February ,and what's more ,they had all bloomed over night.

"Thank you!"

　The young man thanked the cherry tree and ran back to the house where his grandfather was waiting.



"Grandfather! Grandfather!　I will carry you on my back, come quick."

"What?  What is it?

"Just come on, we are going out."

　The young man then carried his grandfather on his back and set off for Sakuradani, where the cherry tree was.

　Before long they got gradually closer to the cherry tree.

"What's this!! ..."

　The old man upon seeing this was so taken aback that he was speechless with tears .

"Oh, isn't it wonderful, grandfather."

　The flowers of the cherry tree stood there glittering and sparkling in the morning sun.

"I have never, in my life seen such beautiful flowers as I can see now. I really am so blessed to see such a sight "

　While his grandfather uttered these words the young man nodded in agreement while shedding tears.



　Soon after that the old man passed away.

　Since then it is said that the great cherry tree of Sakuradani blooms with the most magnificent flowers on the 16th of February each year.

The end

One spot advice:　A thing to ponder: Miracles can happen with a little faith.

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