舌切り雀 · moral_tale · edo · Nationwide
The Tongue-Cut Sparrow
The Tongue-Cut Sparrow (舌切り雀) is a popular moral tale from Edo-period Japan that illustrates themes of kindness, greed, and the consequences of one's actions. The story revolves around a sparrow whose tongue is cut by a greedy old man, leading to a series of events that ultimately highlight the virtues of compassion and the pitfalls of avarice. This tale, often shared in various forms throughout Japan, serves as a cautionary narrative about the importance of treating others with respect and the moral repercussions of selfish behavior.
The story
Once upon a time, in a quiet village, there lived an old man and his wife. The old man was a kind soul, but his wife was known for her harshness and greed. One day, while the old man was out in the fields, he came across a sparrow that had been caught in a trap. The sparrow was injured and unable to fly, and the old man, feeling pity for the creature, took it home to nurse it back to health. His wife, however, was furious at his act of kindness and demanded that he get rid of the sparrow, fearing it would consume their meager food supply. Reluctantly, the old man agreed to keep the sparrow hidden from her sight. As the sparrow recovered, it began to sing sweetly, bringing joy to the old man. In time, the sparrow became a beloved companion, and the old man would often feed it scraps from his meals. One day, the sparrow, grateful for the old man's kindness, offered to help him in return. It revealed that it could fly to a magical land where treasures were abundant. The old man, intrigued, asked the sparrow to take him there. The sparrow agreed, but warned him to be cautious and to avoid greed. The old man followed the sparrow to the magical land, where he found a treasure trove of gold and jewels. Remembering the sparrow's warning, he took only what he needed to improve his life and returned home. However, when the old man's wife learned of his good fortune, she became envious and demanded to know the source of their newfound wealth. The old man, fearing his wife's wrath, revealed the sparrow's secret. Fueled by greed, the wife insisted that the old man take her to the magical land to collect even more treasures. Reluctantly, the old man took her to the sparrow, who was dismayed by the wife's greed. Despite the sparrow's warnings, the wife insisted on taking more than what was necessary. In her greed, she demanded that the sparrow cut her tongue so she could speak the language of the treasures. The sparrow, feeling betrayed, cut her tongue, and she was left unable to speak. The old man, heartbroken by his wife's actions, returned home with the sparrow, who forgave him and promised to always sing for him. In the end, the tale serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of greed and the importance of kindness. The old man's compassion for the sparrow led to a treasure far greater than gold—a bond of friendship and loyalty. The story of the Tongue-Cut Sparrow continues to resonate in Japanese culture, emphasizing moral lessons that remain relevant across generations.