Moral. A moral is a practical or moral lesson, usually relating to the principles of right and wrong, found in a story or other work of literature. As you read, determine what lessons, or morals, appear in this selection.
Point of View. Point of view is the vantage point from which a story is told. If a story is told from the first-person point of view, the narrator uses the pronouns I and we and is a part of or witness to the action. If a story is told from the third-person point of view, the narrator is outside the action and uses words such as he, she, it, and they. From what point of view is “The Magic Mortar” told?
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• Cultural Connection. Shinto, the ancient native religion of Japan, originally centered around the worship of kami, gods that were believed to reside in trees, mountains, waterfalls, and other natural objects. Shrines were constructed in peaceful, natural spots as places for people to worship the kami and give them offerings of food. A Shinto shrine appears in the story you are about to read. Although Shinto traditions are very different from those in the past, many shrines can be found throughout Japan.
• The Japanese New Year, or O shogatsu, is a very important holiday. People celebrate O shogatsu on the same day as our New Year’s Day—January 1. On New Year’s Eve, Japanese people typically visit a local shrine to make an offering of coins. On New Year’s Day, they gather with their families for a special meal, which often includes fish, and mochi, or rice cakes. Some people dress in traditional kimono, or silk robes, on New Year’s Day. The story you are about to read takes place on the New Year.
Write about a time when you were jealous of something a friend or sibling had.
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