The old couple were very much annoyed when they learned the fate of the mortar. They were not comforted by the explanations and silly excuses made by the neighbour.
That night, the old man had another dream where the dog asked him to go and collect the ashes of the burnt mortar and bring it home. The dog also told its master that when the great Lord to whom this part of the country belonged came, the old man was to carry the ashes to the high road through which the procession would pass. The dog told its master to see the procession and climb up to the cherry trees and sprinkle the ashes on all the people and the great Lord who was going in the procession.
As soon as the old man had a dream he did not hesitate, nor did he consult his wife. He went directly to his neighbour's house collected the ashes of the burnt mortar.
He put the ashes in a china vase and carried it to the high road.
He waited patiently for the great Lord of the land to pass.
At that time the cherry trees were bare for it was the season when small pots were sold to rich people who kept them in hot places so that the cherries would blossom early and the rich people used to decorate their rooms with the pots.
The old man had not been waiting for long when he saw a cloud of dust in the distance.
The old man knew that this was the procession of the great Lord.
At that time the old man did not bow to the great Lord like the others in the road.
The great Lord saw this and wondered why this was so. He asked one of his courtiers to go and talk to the old man about why he had disobeyed ancient customs.
But before the messenger could reach the old man, the old man climbed the nearest cherry tree and scattered his ashes far and wide.
In an instant white flowers flashed into life and the great Lord saw this and felt very happy.
He gave rich presents to the old man after searching and finding for the old man.
Naturally, when the neighbour heard of this, he also took some of the Ashes and tried to repeat what had happened to the old man.
This time when the great lord's procession passed through and the neighbour threw the handful of ashes.
No flowers flashed. Instead all the ashes were blown into the eyes of the great Lord and his warriors and they cried in pain.
Then the great Lord ordered the man to be seized and thrown into prison where he was kept for many months.
After that, the people around realized that the neighbour was not a good man and they wanted him out of the village.
So the man left his village and did not bother the old couple after that.
Adapted from Japanese Folk Tales
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