1. Detailed Summary
Scene 1: The Young Man Arrives
The story begins with a young man walking across a long wooden bridge over a river. The scene is peaceful — the sound of flowing water, trees, and watermills turning slowly in the background. Some children pass by, greeting him cheerfully and placing flowers on a rock near the bridge.
The young man looks around, impressed by the calm beauty of the village. The place seems untouched by modern machines — simple, natural, and full of life.
Scene 2: The Young Man Meets the Old Man
The young man soon meets an old man with grey hair who is working on the gears of a watermill. The old man smiles warmly and explains that this village has no official name — people from outside call it the Village of the Watermills.
The young man asks several questions about their lifestyle:
- Do they have electricity?
- How do they light their homes or cultivate fields?
- What do they use as fuel?
The old man answers simply and wisely:
- They use candles and linseed oil instead of electricity.
- For farming, they use cows and horses instead of tractors.
- For fuel, they use fallen trees, charcoal, and dung, never cutting live trees.
He explains that modern conveniences make people lazy. In their search for comfort, people destroy nature and forget that they are a part of it.
He adds a powerful message:
“The most important things for humans are clean air, clean water, and trees. But today, everything is polluted — even the human heart.”
The young man listens thoughtfully, surprised by the old man’s wisdom.
Scene 3: The Village’s Customs
The young man notices children putting flowers on a stone near the bridge and asks about it.
The old man says it’s an old custom — a traveller once died there long ago, and the villagers buried him near the bridge. To remember him, they place flowers whenever they pass by.
Then, the young man hears music and singing. The old man explains that it’s a funeral procession, but unlike in cities, their funerals are happy celebrations.
He says:
“It’s good to work hard and live long and be thanked by all.”
The woman who has died was 99 years old, and the villagers celebrate her long, natural life with music, dance, and flowers. The old man mentions, laughing, that she was once his first love.
Scene 4: The Joyful Farewell
Before leaving, the old man tells the young man that he is 103 years old, yet he feels life is still good and exciting. He picks some flowers and goes to join the funeral.
The young man follows him and watches the colourful funeral procession — people dance, play music, and throw flowers to celebrate the old woman’s life. There is no sadness, only gratitude and peace.
Finally, as the procession passes, the young man walks back to the bridge, picks some flowers, and places them on the stone — continuing the villagers’ beautiful tradition. The river flows gently, symbolising the endless cycle of life and nature.
2. “While We Read” – Textual Question & Answer
1. Whom does the young man see near the wooden mills? What was the person doing?
He sees an old man with grey hair, sitting near the mill, adjusting the large gears of the watermill.
2. What does the old man think of modern conveniences like electricity? Can we live without electricity now?
The old man believes that modern conveniences make people lazy. People have forgotten the real meaning of life and depend too much on machines. He prefers a simple life with candles and oil lamps.
We find it very difficult to live without electricity today because we depend on it for almost everything.
3. The villagers use firewood and dung as fuel. What kinds of fuel do we use now?
We use LPG (cooking gas), kerosene, electricity, coal, and petrol/diesel. But these are not as eco-friendly as the villagers’ methods.
4. Describe the old man’s appearance when he comes out of the wooden house.
He comes out wearing colourful clothes, a hat, and holding a pair of Shinto bells. He looks cheerful and ready to join the funeral celebration.
5. How old is the old man? What keeps him active and healthy?
He is 103 years old. His natural way of living, hard work, and peaceful mind keep him strong, healthy, and active.
3. Let’s Rewind – Answers
1. How is the village described? Would you like to live there? Why?
The village is peaceful, green, and full of watermills and flowers. People live close to nature without pollution or noise.
Yes, I would like to live there because life is calm, simple, and full of beauty and respect for nature.
2. How does the young man’s interaction with the villagers change his views on modern life?
The young man realises that modern life is not always better. He understands that real happiness lies in living naturally, not in technology or luxury.
The experience teaches him to respect cultural traditions and sustainable living.
3. What is your opinion of the villagers’ view of death?
Their view of death is peaceful and wise. They celebrate long lives with gratitude instead of sorrow. It teaches us to accept death as a natural part of life.
4. What do the visuals and sounds in the film reveal about village life?
The gentle sound of flowing water, chirping birds, and soft music reflect a life of harmony and balance with nature.
4. Activities and Answers
Activity 1 – Theme Table
| Theme | Explanation |
| Living in harmony with nature | The villagers use eco-friendly practices and live without harming the environment. |
| Life and death | Death is seen as a natural part of life and is celebrated with joy and respect. |
| Tradition vs. Modernity | The old man believes in simple traditional living, unlike the modern world that depends on machines. |
| Sustainability | The villagers reuse natural resources and avoid pollution. |
| Wisdom of simplicity | The story teaches that true happiness lies in living simply and peacefully. |
Activity 2 – Film Review Format
| Title: | Village of the Watermills |
| Writer/Film-maker: | Akira Kurosawa |
| Setting: | A beautiful Japanese village with watermills on a riverbank; daytime scenes full of natural sounds. |
| Characters: | The Young Man, The Old Man, Villagers, Children |
| Opening Scene: | A young man crosses a wooden bridge and observes children placing flowers on a rock. |
| Climax/Resolution: | The funeral procession becomes a joyful celebration of life. The young man joins the villagers in honouring tradition. |
| Plot Development: | The young man learns the value of nature, simplicity, and community life through his talk with the old man. |
| Theme and Message: | Live close to nature, respect life and death, and find peace in simplicity rather than technology. |
Paragraph Answer (Model for Exams):
“Village of the Watermills” by Akira Kurosawa presents a peaceful village where people live in harmony with nature. The story shows the contrast between modern life and traditional living. The old man teaches that humans should respect nature and live simply. Through its beautiful visuals, the story conveys a powerful message — real happiness comes from balance, hard work, and kindness, not from technology.
Activity 3 – Film Terminology
| Picture Type | Definition |
| Long shot (Wide shot) | Shows a person and surroundings together — used to show the environment. |
| Mid shot | Shows the subject from the waist up — focuses on action and conversation. |
| Close-up | Focuses on a face or object — highlights emotion or detail. |
| Panning | Camera moves side to side while staying fixed. |
| Tilting | Camera moves up and down vertically. |
| Zooming | The lens moves closer or farther from the subject without moving the camera. |
Activity 4 – Debate: Rural vs. Urban Lifestyle
| Rural Life | Urban Life |
| Calm, pollution-free environment | Modern facilities and transport |
| People are close to nature | More job opportunities |
| Strong community bonds | Better schools and hospitals |
| Healthy, peaceful lifestyle | Access to modern conveniences |
Model Answer:
“I prefer rural life because it is peaceful, natural, and pollution-free. People live close to one another and to nature. They live longer and stay healthier. In cities, life is fast, noisy, and stressful.”
5. Themes and Message
| Theme | Meaning |
| Nature and simplicity | Living simply and respecting the environment bring true happiness. |
| Modernity vs. Tradition | Too much dependence on technology destroys peace and nature. |
| Cycle of life and death | Death is natural and can be celebrated as a part of life. |
| Wisdom and contentment | Peace comes from within, not from wealth or machines. |
6. Moral / Lesson
- Be thankful for nature’s gifts — air, water, trees.
- Live in balance with the environment.
- Don’t depend too much on machines; they can’t give peace.
- Celebrate life, and accept death as a part of nature’s cycle.