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 2745
Voice Only Unread 411
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 1069
Voice Only Unread 129
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 488
Voice Only Unread 59
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 357
Voice Only Unread 42
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 306
Voice Only Unread 42
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 263
Voice Only Unread 41
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 237
Voice Only Unread 30
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 213
Voice Only Unread 24
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 185
Voice Only Unread 24
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 170
Voice Only Unread 22
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 72
Voice Only Unread 12