Taro's Reward Class 6 NCERT English Guide

Taro's Reward is a Japanese folk tale in the CBSE Class 6 English textbook. It tells the story of Taro, a poor but hardworking woodcutter who loves and respects his old parents. When his father wishes for a cup of sake, Taro goes deeper into the forest to cut more wood and earn more money. Because of his sincere love, he discovers a magical waterfall. This chapter helps you understand more than just the events of a story. You will learn how folk tales teach values, how characters are judged by actions, and how to answer literature questions with evidence from the text. In this YoLearn AI Tutor guide, you will master the plot, characters, theme, important vocabulary, and CBSE-style answer writing for taros reward class 6 ncert.

Story Overview and Central Idea

Taro is a young woodcutter who works hard every day but earns very little. His parents are old, and Taro feels responsible for their comfort. One cold evening, his father says that a cup of sake would warm him. Taro cannot buy it because it is expensive, so he decides to work harder. In the forest, he hears the sound of running water and finds a waterfall. When he tastes the liquid, it is not water but sake. He fills a pitcher and takes it home for his father. Later, when greedy villagers visit the waterfall, they find only cold water. The emperor hears about Taro's devotion and rewards him. The central idea is that true love, obedience, and selfless service are rewarded, while greed does not deserve a reward.

Important Words and Meanings

sake: A Japanese rice drink mentioned in the story. In the chapter, it represents the father's simple wish for warmth and comfort.
pitcher: A large container used for holding and carrying liquids.
thoughtful: Caring about another person's needs and feelings. Taro is thoughtful because he worries about his parents.
greedy: Wanting more than one needs, especially without deserving it. The villagers act greedily when they rush to the waterfall for sake.
reward: Something given to a person for good action, effort, or service. Taro's reward comes because of his love and duty.

How to Understand the Plot Step by Step

Notice Taro's problem — Taro is poor, but he wants to fulfil his father's wish. This problem starts the action of the story and shows Taro's caring nature.
Connect action with character — Instead of complaining, Taro works harder and goes deeper into the forest. This tells us that he is dutiful, hardworking, and obedient.
Study the magical event — The waterfall gives sake only to Taro because his motive is pure. The magic is not random; it supports the moral of the folk tale.
Compare Taro and the villagers — Taro wants sake for his father, but the villagers want it for themselves. This contrast makes the lesson clear: selfless love is rewarded, greed is not.
Understand the ending — The emperor rewards Taro to encourage all children to respect and care for their parents. The ending turns the private act of love into a public example.

Worked Examples for Answer Writing

Example 1: Question: Why is Taro called thoughtful?
Step 1: Identify the trait asked in the question: thoughtful means caring about others.
Step 2: Find evidence from the story: Taro hears his father wishing for sake and feels sad that he cannot buy it.
Step 3: Explain the action: he works harder and goes into the forest to earn more money for his father.
Final answer: Taro is called thoughtful because he cares deeply for his parents and tries to fulfil his father's wish even though he is poor.
Example 2: Question: Why did the villagers get only water from the waterfall?
Step 1: Compare motives: Taro went to the waterfall because he wanted to help his father.
Step 2: Notice the villagers' motive: they went there only to get sake for themselves.
Step 3: Link the event to the lesson: the magical waterfall rewarded love, not greed.
Final answer: The villagers got only water because they were greedy and selfish, while Taro's pure love for his father was the reason he received sake.

Characters, Themes, and Values

CBSE Answer Writing Tip

In literature answers, do not write only a moral like be good or respect parents. First answer the question directly, then add one clear event from the story, and finally explain what that event shows. For example, if asked why Taro was rewarded, mention his hard work, his wish to serve his father, and the emperor's decision. This makes your answer complete and text-based.

Practice Questions with Solutions

Q: Why did Taro run in the direction of the stream?
A: Step 1: Recall what Taro heard while cutting wood in the forest: he heard the sound of rushing water.
Step 2: Connect it to his situation: he was tired and thirsty after working hard.
Step 3: Explain his action: he ran towards the sound because he thought he would find water to drink.
Final answer: Taro ran in the direction of the stream because he was thirsty and heard the sound of rushing water nearby.
Q: How did Taro prove that he loved his father?
A: Step 1: Identify the father's wish: he wanted a cup of sake to feel warm.
Step 2: Notice Taro's response: Taro felt sad because he could not afford it, but he did not give up.
Step 3: Use evidence: he worked harder and went deeper into the forest to earn more money.
Final answer: Taro proved his love by working harder to fulfil his father's wish, even though he was poor and tired.
Q: Why did the emperor reward Taro?
A: Step 1: Find the reason for the emperor's decision: he heard about Taro's goodness and devotion.
Step 2: Explain Taro's quality: Taro respected and cared for his old parents sincerely.
Step 3: State the larger purpose: the emperor wanted to encourage other children to follow Taro's example.
Final answer: The emperor rewarded Taro because Taro was a dutiful son, and the emperor wanted all children to learn respect and care for parents.
Q: What is the difference between Taro and the villagers?
A: Step 1: Describe Taro's motive: he wanted sake for his father, not for his own pleasure.
Step 2: Describe the villagers' motive: they wanted free sake for themselves.
Step 3: Explain the result: Taro received sake, but the villagers found only water.
Final answer: Taro was selfless and loving, while the villagers were greedy; therefore, Taro was rewarded and the villagers were disappointed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main message of Taro's Reward?

The main message is that sincere love, hard work, and respect for parents are valuable qualities. The story also warns that greed cannot receive the same reward as selfless service.

Is Taro's Reward a folk tale?

Yes, it has features of a folk tale, such as a simple setting, a magical waterfall, and a clear moral lesson. Folk tales often use surprising events to teach values in an easy-to-remember way.

Why did the waterfall give sake only to Taro?

In the story, the waterfall responds to Taro's pure intention of helping his father. When greedy villagers come for their own benefit, the same waterfall gives only water.

How should I write NCERT answers for this chapter?

Write in simple complete sentences and support your answer with one event from the story. A good answer should include the reason, evidence, and the value shown by the character.