This short story is about a plum tree in the emperor's garden has to be cut down; "The perfect garden would be perfect no longer.” To console the emperor, an equally beautiful tree is looked for. The students will discuss and define the characteristic trait of perfect. The one chosen belongs to painter Ukiyo, his wife Tanaka, and their small son Musuko; "But most of all, the plum tree was the home of Musuko's friend, the nightingale." They must part with the tree, they know; before it is taken away, however, Musuko ties a scroll to one of its branches. When the emperor finds the decorated scroll and reads its message, "At the long day's end, when the nightingale flies home, what shall I tell her?” The emperor returns the plum tree to Musuko. First, though, Ukiyo must paint the imperial garden. "The death of my plum tree has reminded me that no garden can last forever. One day the peach trees, the pines, and even the bamboos will be no more. But your painting, Ukiyo, will be a lasting reminder of this garden's perfection." After reading the story, students will be asked to identify the central lesson and how explicit details from the text support the moral. Next, students will describe the characters by identifying traits, motivations, or feelings expressed in the text, and explain how characters actions contribute to the sequence of
This short story is about a plum tree in the emperor's garden has to be cut down; "The perfect garden would be perfect no longer.” To console the emperor, an equally beautiful tree is looked for. The students will discuss and define the characteristic trait of perfect. The one chosen belongs to painter Ukiyo, his wife Tanaka, and their small son Musuko; "But most of all, the plum tree was the home of Musuko's friend, the nightingale." They must part with the tree, they know; before it is taken away, however, Musuko ties a scroll to one of its branches. When the emperor finds the decorated scroll and reads its message, "At the long day's end, when the nightingale flies home, what shall I tell her?” The emperor returns the plum tree to Musuko. First, though, Ukiyo must paint the imperial garden. "The death of my plum tree has reminded me that no garden can last forever. One day the peach trees, the pines, and even the bamboos will be no more. But your painting, Ukiyo, will be a lasting reminder of this garden's perfection." After reading the story, students will be asked to identify the central lesson and how explicit details from the text support the moral. Next, students will describe the characters by identifying traits, motivations, or feelings expressed in the text, and explain how characters actions contribute to the sequence of