SHIRO & THE GOLD

Long ago, in japan, there lived an couple who had a dog called Shiro.
The old man & old woman were poor & they lived a simple life. All they wanted was enough money to buy rice for themselves & for Shiro. But year by year their savings grew smaller. They worried that soon there would be no money for rice.
One day the old man & woman were working hard in the gardern. Shiro ran here & there , sniffing the ground. Suddenly, he started digging a hole & barking loudly.
"Be quiet Shiro," said the old woman.
But Shiro kept barking digging, so the old man went to see what the dog had found. He poked a stick into the hole & felt it strike something hard. He dug a little further & uncovered a small box.When the old man opened the box he was amazed to see it was full of golden coins-enough to buy rice for the rest of the year!

But their greedy neighbour heard of this good fortune & he was jealous. He followed Shiro, digging holes wherever the dog sniffed, bt he foun nohing. Finally the neighbour flew into a rage & killed por Shiro.

The old couple cried when they learned that Shiro was dead, for they loved the old dog dearly. Then one night the ghost of Shiro appeared to them.

"You loved & cared for me,"said Shiro's ghost," & now I shall are for you.

Tomorrow, cut down the pine tree in the garden. Mix some splinters from the tree into a tree into a pot of rice."Then the ghost vanished.

The next day the old man chooped down the pine tree & the old woman cooked a pot of rice.She stirred in the splinters & peered into the pot.

"LOOK," she cried, her eyes filled with wonder. "Each grain of rice is turning into a gold coin! We shall have money for rice for the rest of our lives!"

The old couple smiled sadly as they thought of Shiro. Even though he had died, their fathful old dog had not forgotten them.



BY-SHUBHAM BHANDARI