at stood by the way-side.

Now in the days of the Daimios it was the custom, when their lord
passed by, for all the loyal people to shut up their second-story
windows, even pasting them shut with slips of paper, so as not to commit
the impoliteness of looking down on his lordship. All the people along
the road would fall down on their hands and knees until the procession
passed by. Hence it seemed very impolite for the old man to climb the
tree, and be higher than his master's head.

The train drew near, and the air was full of gay banners, covered
spears, state umbrellas, and princes' crests. One tall man marched
ahead, crying out to the people by the way, "Get down on your knees! get
down on your knees!" And every one knelt down while the procession was
passing. Suddenly the leader of the van caught sight of the old man up
in the tree. He was about to call out to him in an angry tone, but
seeing he was such an old fellow he pretended not to notice him, and
passed him by.

So when the prince's palanquin drew near, the old man, taking a pinch of
ashes from his basket, scattered it over the tree. In a moment it burst
into blossom. The delighted Daimio ordered the train to be stopped, and
got out to see the wonder. Calling the old man to him, he thanked him,
and ordered presents of silk robes, sponge-cake, fans, a _netsuke_
(ivory carving), and other rewards to be given him. He even invited him
to pay a visit to his castle. So the old daddy went gleefully home to
share his joy with his dear wife.

But when the greedy neighbor heard of it he took some of the magic
ashes, and went out on the highway. There he waited till a Daimio's
train came along, and instead of kneeling down like the crowd, he
climbed a withered cherry-tree.

When the Daimio himself was almost directly under him, he threw a
handful of ashes over the tree, which did not change a particle. The
wind blew the fine dust in the noses and eyes of the Daimio and his
nobles.

Such a sneezing and choking!

It spoiled all the pomp and dignity of the procession. The man who
cried, "Get down on your knees," seized the old fool by the top-knot,
dragged him from the tree, and tumbled him and his ash-basket into the
ditch by the road. Then beating him soundly, he left him dead.

Thus the wicked old man died in the mud, but the kind friend of the dog
dwelt in peace and plenty, and both he and his wife lived to a green old
age.

[Illustration: A BABE IN