the old man's disgust can be imagined. this soon gave way to anger. he had seen his neighbor's good fortune, and hoping for the same luck himself, he had borrowed the dog shiro; and now, just as he seemed on the point of finding what he sought, only a horrid smelling refuse heap had rewarded him for a morning's digging. instead of blaming his own greed for his disappointment, he blamed the poor dog. he seized his spade, and with all his strength struck shiro and killed him on the spot. he then threw the dog's body into the hole which he had dug in the hope of finding a treasure of gold coins, and covered it over with the earth. then he returned to the house, telling no one, not even his wife, what he had done.