Page 64 - English_Spark_8

Now in the same village there were a wicked old man and his wife, very insensitive and

cruel. They always used to kick and shout at all dogs that passed their house. Knowing
about their neighbours’ good luck, they coaxed the dog into their garden and put before

him bits of fish and other dainties, thinking he would find them treasure. But the dog,
being scared of the cruel couple, would neither eat nor move.

Then they took him out of doors, carrying a spade and hoe with them. No sooner had
the dog got near a pine tree that was growing in the garden than he began to paw and

scrape the ground, as if a mighty treasure was hidden beneath. “Hurry, wife, give me
the spade and hoe!” cried the greedy old fool, as he danced with joy.

Then the desirous old fellow, with a spade, and the old crone, with a hoe, started to dig;
but what he found was a dead kitten, the smell of which forced them drop their tools

and shut their noses.

Fuming at the dog, the old man kicked and thrashed him to death, and the old woman

finished the work by nearly chopping off his head with the sharp hoe. They then flung
his carcass into the hole and heaped the earth over.
The owner of the dog heard of the death of his pet and, mourning for him as if he had

lost his own child, visited at night under the pine tree. He erected some bamboo tubes

in the ground, such as are used before tombs, in which he put fresh flowers. Then he
put a cup of water and a tray of food on the grave and burned several costly sticks of
incense. He was extremely grieved while over his pet, calling him many dear names, as

if he were alive.

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