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000638

The Camellia Tree Where the Cow Was TiedAuthor: Niimi Nankichi

Original Title 牛をつないだ椿の木
Author 新美 南吉
Genre Children's Literature
Author Type Male Author
Summary In a quiet Japanese village, humble rickshaw puller Kaizou nurses a simple, profound dream. After witnessing a fellow traveler's public humiliation stemming from a distant, inconvenient spring, Kaizou envisions a public well by the roadside—a small act of kindness for all who pass. Yet his vision is met with indifference and the stubborn refusal of the wealthy landowner. Undeterred, Kaizou embarks on a solitary, arduous quest, denying himself every comfort and pleasure to save the meager sum needed. His noble ambition clashes with the harsh realities of a world where self-interest often triumphs over communal good. This is the poignant tale of one man's unwavering spirit against a tide of apathy, a testament to the enduring power of selfless dedication.