Withered Tree

A woman tries to make sense of her world as she struggles with unexplained events and gaps in her memory. Is she losing her mind? Or is there another explanation? A psychological thriller.

This story is presented in very short, straightforward sentences on par with our easiest stories, but the subject matter and certain story devices add slightly to the overall difficulty, meriting a rating of Intermediate. However, as always, our friendly notes will help you through the tricky parts. (Ongoing, 14 episodes)

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Episode 1
The narrator wonders what to do when a tree withers in her yard.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the ~ず negative, one on omitting the verb of saying or thinking after a quotation, and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 3796
Voice Only Unread 569
Episode 2
The narrator worries about unexplained events.
Notes: This episode contains a note on using この to mean "these past...(days, weeks, etc.)," one on a word that means "to tell oneself," and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 1400
Voice Only Unread 191
Pro
Episode 3
The narrator explains her routine as she begins her day.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a common pattern for saying you don't have the (free) time to do something, one on a pattern for saying you take something as an opportunity to do something else, and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 674
Voice Only Unread 94
Pro
Episode 4
The narrator describes more about her work and relationship.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the word ほど, one on the word 合わせる, and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 496
Voice Only Unread 65
Pro
Episode 5
The narrator makes a discovery that could explain something she saw earlier.
Notes: This episode contains a note that looks at the はず that indicates the speaker's beliefs or expectations about the world, one that looks at the し that means "for this and other reasons," and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 433
Voice Only Unread 61
Pro
Episode 6
The narrator prepares a heartfelt dinner for her husband.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the ~ごと suffix, which means "per; each," one on pulling a word apart into two halves to insert も between them, and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 367
Voice Only Unread 59
Pro
Episode 7
The narrator grows concerned as the evening goes on.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the word 嫌み (いやみ), one on the use of ため to mean "on account of; due to," and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 337
Voice Only Unread 49
Pro
Episode 8
As her mind races, the narrator continues to try to contact her husband.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the word とりあえず, one on a word that means "to surge" with unstoppable power, and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 311
Voice Only Unread 40
Pro
Episode 9
The narrator gets a surprising message.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a pattern that means "as (adjective) as possible," one on a pattern that means "it is written," and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 288
Voice Only Unread 41
Pro
Episode 10
The narrator relives a shocking moment.
Notes: This episode contains a note on indirect quotations in Japanese, one on a word that is often translated "blame," and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 279
Voice Only Unread 39
Pro
Episode 11
Memories of a fateful night come rushing back to the narrator.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the pattern わけではない, two that highlight は being used for contrastive purposes, and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 241
Voice Only Unread 37
Pro
Episode 12
The narrator and her husband share a toast.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the word ほとんど, one on the suffix ~込む (こむ), and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 233
Voice Only Unread 36
Pro
Episode 13
The narrator files a report.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a phrase that means "to well up," one on a phrase that means "to muddy one's words," and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 193
Voice Only Unread 29
Pro
Episode 14
In this chilling final episode, the narrator finds a place of peace.
Notes: This episode contains a note on using ~としたら to consider hypothetical scenarios, one about using the ~たち suffix with inanimate objects, and more.
Editions Status Total Readers
With Sound Effects Unread 128
Voice Only Unread 22