Hayul came to Grandma's house for summer vacation. Green persimmons hung in little bunches on the tree in the yard.
Grandma's persimmon treea secret
"Grandma, last fall, why didn't you pick the one persimmon at the very top?" Hayul asked.
Grandma smiled softly. "That's a secret. If you watch closely all summer, you will find out."
Every day, Hayul looked at the persimmon tree. One morning, a caw-caw sound came from a branch above.
A magpie was sitting on a branch, resting. "Those magpies come even in winter," Grandma said.
"But there are no persimmons in winter, are there?" Hayul was worried. "That's why I leave one. It's the magpies' food."
In fall, Grandma picked persimmons with a long pole, and Hayul, holding a basket, called out. "The persimmon at the top is for the magpie!"
Good night, sweet dreams
On the day of the first snow, a magpie pecked at the top persimmon. Hayul smiled softly in Grandma's arms.
All done!