Answer the following questions.

1. Why did Taro run in the direction of the stream? (5)

2. How did Taro’s father show his happiness after drinking saké? (7)

3. Why did the waterfall give Taro saké and others water? (12)

4. Why did the villagers want to drown Taro? (10, 11)

5. Why did the Emperor reward Taro? (13)

1. Taro ran in the direction of the stream because he could not remember ever seeing or hearing a rushing stream in that part of the forest, and he was thirsty.

2. After drinking sake, Taro’s father stopped shivering and showed his happiness by doing a little dance in the middle of the floor.

3. Taro was a thoughtful son who honoured and obeyed his parents, while the others were greedy. This is why the waterfall gave Taro sake and others water.

4. The villagers wanted to drown Taro because they thought he had tricked them.

5. Taro honoured and obeyed his parents, so the emperor rewarded him.