Under The Cherry Blossom Tree: An Old Japanese Tale

Caldecott medalist Say ("Grandfather's Journey") retells this favorite joke in Japan about a wicked, miserly landlord who swallows a cherry pit, and brings the tale to life with beautiful drawings. Illustrations.

Spring had finally come and everyone in the village was happy, despite being poor - everyone except the miserly landlord. Mumbling and grumbling, he sat all alone eating a bowl of cherries and glaring as the villagers sang and danced in the meadow. Then, quite by accident, he swallowed a cherry pit. The pit began to sprout. Soon the landlord was the wonder of the village - a cherry tree was growing on top of his head What happened to the cherry tree and to the wicked landlord is a favorite joke in Japan. Allen Say tells the story with wit and vitality, and his beautiful drawings complement this classic Japanese tale.