Class 7 English Notes Chapter 4 (The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom ; Chivvy) – Honeycomb Book

Alright class, let's focus on Chapter 4 from your Honeycomb book. This chapter includes a touching Japanese folktale, 'The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom', and a relatable poem, 'Chivvy'. Both are important, so pay close attention to these notes, keeping your government exam preparation in mind.

Chapter 4: The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom & Chivvy

Part 1: The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom (A Japanese Tale)

1. Introduction & Source:
This story is a traditional Japanese folktale. Folktales often carry moral lessons and reflect the cultural values of their place of origin. This story emphasizes kindness, honesty, greed, and consequences.

2. Characters:

• The Kind Old Couple: The protagonists. They lived in 19th century Japan (Edo period context with Daimios). They were poor but incredibly kind, honest, and content. They loved their pet dog, Muko, as if it were their own child.
• Muko: The pet dog of the kind couple. Loyal and instrumental in bringing fortune to his masters, even after death through his spirit.
• The Wicked Old Couple: The antagonists. Lived nearby. They were greedy, envious, cruel, and dishonest. They represent the negative traits contrasting with the protagonists.
• The Daimio: A wealthy feudal lord in old Japan. Represents authority, power, and, in this story, justice. Daimios commanded great respect.

3. Plot Summary:

• Muko Finds Treasure: The kind couple fed Muko well. One day, Muko led the old man to a spot in the garden where, upon digging, the old man found a pile of gold coins.
• Wicked Couple's Jealousy: Hearing of the good fortune, the greedy neighbours borrowed Muko, hoping he would find treasure for them too. They offered him fine food, but Muko refused. When Muko led them to a spot under a pine tree and they dug, they found only a dead kitten.
• Muko's Death: Enraged and disappointed, the wicked couple killed Muko.
• Muko's Spirit (First Intervention): The spirit of Muko appeared to the kind old man in a dream, telling him to cut down the pine tree under which he was buried and make a mortar and a hand-mill from it.
• The Magic Mortar and Mill: When the kind old woman put rice in the mortar to make pastry and the old man used the mill for bean sauce, the pastry turned into gold coins and the sauce turned into riches.
• Wicked Couple's Imitation (Failure 1): The wicked couple borrowed the magic mortar and mill. When they tried to use them, the pastry turned into foul worms, and the sauce turned into filth. In anger, they broke and burnt the mortar and mill.
• Muko's Spirit (Second Intervention): Muko's spirit appeared again in the kind old man's dream, telling him to collect the ashes from the burnt mill and sprinkle them on withered trees, promising they would bloom.
• The Magic Ashes: The old man collected the ashes. He tested them on a withered cherry tree, which immediately burst into bloom.
• Impressing the Daimio: Hearing that the Daimio was passing by, the kind old man went to the highway. It was customary for everyone to kneel and remain silent during a Daimio's procession. However, the old man climbed a withered cherry tree. When the Daimio's procession neared, he sprinkled the ashes, and the tree bloomed instantly.
• Reward: The Daimio was delighted, stopped his procession, praised the old man, and rewarded him with silk robes, sponge cake, fans, and other gifts. He even invited the old man to his castle.
• Wicked Couple's Imitation (Failure 2 & Punishment): The wicked neighbour, hearing this, took the remaining ashes and tried the same trick when the Daimio's procession passed again. He climbed a withered tree, but when he threw the ashes, they didn't bloom the tree but blew into the eyes and noses of the Daimio and his wife, causing sneezing and choking.
• Consequences: The Daimio's men seized the wicked old man, beat him severely, and left him near death. He never troubled anyone again.
• Conclusion: The kind old couple lived a long, happy, and prosperous life.

4. Themes:

• Kindness Rewarded, Cruelty Punished: The central theme. The kind couple's compassion towards their dog and others brings them fortune, while the wicked couple's greed and cruelty lead to their downfall.
• Greed vs. Contentment: The wicked couple's insatiable greed contrasts sharply with the kind couple's contentment with their simple life.
• Loyalty: Muko's unwavering loyalty to his kind masters extends even beyond his death.
• Respect for Nature & Tradition: The blooming of trees signifies life and respect for nature. The Daimio's procession highlights respect for authority and tradition in feudal Japan.

5. Key Vocabulary:

• Daimios: Wealthy landowners/feudal lords in 19th-century Japan.
• Covetous: Having or showing a great desire to possess something belonging to someone else; greedy.
• Coaxed: Persuaded gently.
• Dainties: Tasty delicacies.
• Mortar: A bowl used with a pestle to grind substances.
• Gleamed: Shone brightly.
• Withered: Dry and shrivelled (used for plants).
• Prostrate: Lying stretched out on the ground with one's face downwards, usually in reverence or submission.
• Palanquin: A covered litter for one passenger, carried by poles on the shoulders of four or six bearers.

Part 2: Chivvy (Poem)

1. Poet: Michael Rosen

2. Meaning of 'Chivvy': To nag, pester, or tell someone repeatedly to do something.

3. Summary and Analysis:
The poem lists a series of instructions and corrections that adults typically give to children. Examples include: "Speak up," "Don't talk with your mouth full," "Don't stare," "Say please," "Don't point," "Sit up," "Make less noise," "Shut the door behind you," "Don't drag your feet," "Put your hanky in your pocket," "Take your hands out of your pockets," "Pull your socks up," "Stand up straight," etc.

The poem captures the feeling of being constantly corrected and guided, which can be frustrating for a child. It uses simple, direct language, mimicking the tone of the instructions.

The final two lines shift perspective: "Why can’t they make their own minds up about things?". This reflects a child's confusion and perhaps a subtle accusation of hypocrisy or inconsistency in the adult world's rules. It highlights the gap in understanding between children and adults.

4. Theme:
The primary theme is the perpetual instructions and nagging ('chivvying') faced by children from adults. It explores the child's perspective on adult rules and expectations.

5. Poetic Devices:

• Repetition: Used implicitly through the list format, emphasizing the constant nature of the instructions.
• Rhyme Scheme: Simple AABB rhyme scheme in some stanzas (e.g., full/pull, noise/behind you - though not perfect rhyme always).
• Direct Address/Imperative Mood: Most lines are commands ("Speak up," "Don't talk").

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. In 'The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom', what did the kind old couple initially find thanks to their dog Muko?
   a) A magic mortar
   b) A pile of gold coins
   c) A withered cherry tree
   d) A dead kitten

2. Why did the wicked neighbours kill Muko?
   a) Because Muko bit them.
   b) Because Muko refused to eat their food.
   c) Because Muko led them to a dead kitten instead of treasure.
   d) Because the kind couple asked them to.

3. What happened when the kind old couple used the mortar and mill made from the pine tree?
   a) It produced ordinary rice pastry and bean sauce.
   b) It broke immediately.
   c) It turned rice into gold and beans into riches.
   d) It produced worms and filth.

4. What magical property did the ashes of the burnt mill possess for the kind old man?
   a) They could turn lead into gold.
   b) They could make withered trees bloom.
   c) They could cure illnesses.
   d) They could make people invisible.

5. Who were the 'Daimios' in old Japan?
   a) Poor farmers
   b) Buddhist priests
   c) Wealthy feudal lords/landowners
   d) Imperial soldiers

6. What is the central theme of 'The Ashes That Made Trees Bloom'?
   a) The importance of pets
   b) The power of magic
   c) Kindness is rewarded and cruelty is punished
   d) Respect for elders

7. Who is the poet of 'Chivvy'?
   a) Rabindranath Tagore
   b) William Wordsworth
   c) Michael Rosen
   d) D. J. Enright

8. What does the word 'Chivvy' mean?
   a) To praise someone
   b) To play happily
   c) To nag or pester constantly
   d) To share generously

9. What is the main subject matter of the poem 'Chivvy'?
   a) The beauty of nature
   b) Instructions given by adults to children
   c) The games children play
   d) The importance of politeness

10. What question does the child seem to ask the grown-ups at the end of 'Chivvy'?
    a) Why are you always angry?
    b) Can I go out and play?
    c) Why can't you be more consistent or decide for yourselves?
    d) Why do I have to use a hanky?

Answer Key:

1. b
2. c
3. c
4. b
5. c
6. c
7. c
8. c
9. b
10. c

Study these notes carefully. Understand the plot, characters, themes, and the underlying messages. For the poem, focus on its central idea and the poet's perspective. Good luck with your preparation!