The Story of the Aged
Mother
A Japanese Folktale
Long, long ago there lived at the foot of the
mountain a poor farmer and his aged, widowed
mother. They owned a bit of land which supplied
them with food, and their humble were peaceful
and happy. Shining was governed by a despotic
leader who though a warrior, had a great and
cowardly shrinking from anything suggestive of
failing health and strength. This caused him to
send out a cruel proclamation. The entire
province was given strict orders to immediately
put to death all aged people. Those were
barbarous days, and the custom of abandoning
old people to die was not common.
Why did the leader want all the old
people to die? How are the elderly
treated then?
The poor farmer loved his aged mother with tender
reverence, and the order filled his heart with sorrow. But
no one ever thought a second time about obeying the
mandate of the governor, so with many deep hopeless
sighs, the youth prepared for what at that time was
considered the kindest mode of death. Just at sundown,
when his day’s work was ended, he took a quantity of
unwhitened rice which is principal food for poor, cooked
and dried it, and tying it in a square cloth, swung and
bundle around his neck along with a gourd filled with cool,
sweet water. Then he lifted his helpless old mother to his
back and stated on his painful journey up the mountain.
The road was long and steep; then arrowed road was
crossed and recrossed by many paths made by the hunters
and woodcutters. In some place, they mingled in a
confused puzzled, but he gave no heed.
What do you think is the son’s
plan in doing the leader’s order?
One path or another, it mattered not. On he
went, climbing blindly upward – ever upward
towards the high bare summit of what is known as
Obatsuyama, the mountain of the “abandoning of
aged”. The eyes of the old mother were not so dim
but that they noted the reckless hastening from one
path to another, and her loving heart grew anxious.
Her son did not know the mountain’s many paths
and his return might be one of danger, so she
stretched forth her hand and snapping the twigs
from brushes as they passed, she quietly dropped a
handful every few steps of the way so that they
climbed, the narrow path behind them was dotted at
frequently intervals with tiny piles of twigs.
Why is it that the old woman
scatter twigs and branches? Do
you think she knew what her son
is trying to do?
At last the summit was reached. Weary and heart sick,
the youth gently released his burden and silently prepared
a place of comfort as his last duty to the loved one.
Gathering fallen pine needle, he made a soft cushion and
tenderly lifting his old mother therein, he wrapped her
padded coat more closely about the stooping shoulders
and with tearful eyes and an aching heart said farewell. The
trembling mother’s voice was full of unselfish love as she
gave her last injunction. “Let not thine eyes be blinded, my
son. A” She said. “The mountain road is full of dangers.
LOOK carefully and follow the path which holds the piles of
twigs. They will guide you to the familiar way farther
down”.
The son’s surprised eyes looked back over the path,
then at the poor old, shriveled hands all scratched and
soiled by their work of love. His heart smote him and
bowing to the grounds, he cried aloud: “oh, Honorable
mother, thy kindness thrusts my heart! I will not leave
thee. Together we will follow the path of twigs, and
together we will die!” Once more he shouldered his burden
(how light it seemed no) and hastened down the path,
through the shadows and the moonlight, to the little hut in
the valley. Beneath the kitchen floor was a walled closet for
food, which was covered and hidden from view.
What did the son realize about
his old mother? Why did he
change his mind?
There the son his mother, supplying her with everything needful
and continually watching and fearing. Time passed, and he was
beginning to feel safe when again the governor sent forth heralds
bearing an unreasonable order, seemingly as a boast of his power.
His demand was that his subject should present him with a rope of
ashes. The entire province trembled with dread. The order must be
obeyed yet who in all shining could make a rope of ashes? One
night, in great distress, the son whispered the news to his hidden
mother. “Wait!” she said. “I will think. I will think” On the second
day she told him what to do. “Make rope twisted straw,” she said.
“Then stretch it upon a row of flat stones and burn it there on the
windless night. ” He called the people together and did as she said
and when the blaze and died, behold upon the stones with every
twist and fiber showing perfectly. Lay a rope of whithead ashes.
The governor was pleased at the wit of the youth and praised
greatly, but he demanded to know where he had obtained his
wisdom. “Alas! Alas!” cried the farmer, “the truth must be told!”
and with deep bows he related his story. The governor listened and
then meditated in silence. Finally he lifted his head. “Shining needs
more than strength of youth, ” he said gravely. “Ah, that I should
have forgotten the well-known saying, “with the crown of snow,
there cometh a wisdom!” That very hour the cruel law was
abolished, and custom drifted into as far a past that only legends
remain.
What happened to the mother
and son as they went down the
mountain? How did they convince
the governor to change his mind
and replace the harsh law?
Exercises 1: Word Watch
Definition
Word
Directions: Choose three
words from the selection Synonym
that you find very
confusing. Write the word
then look for its definition, Antonym Sample Sentence
synonym, and antonym
from a dictionary and write
a sentence using the word.
Exercise 2: Events Organizer
Directions: Accomplish
the graphic organizer at Event 1 Event 2 Event 3 Event 4 Event 5
your right by
summarizing the events
that took place in the
story “The Story of the
Aged Mother” on the
boxes.
Exercise 3: Going Japanese!
Japanese Values and Where is it shown in the
Traditions story?
Directions: In the chart to your
left, identify the values and
traditions of the Japanese people
that you can infer from the
reading selection The Story of the
Aged Mother. Cite the supporting
detail or details in the story to
prove your claim. Then, answer
the process questions that follow.
PROCESS QUESTIONS: Answer the following questions with
a partner:
1. Do you find the values and/or traditions of the Japanese
people illustrated in the story similar to your values and/or
traditions as a Filipino? Explain briefly.
2. Do you think these values and/or traditions are also true to
your other Asian neighbors especially the Chinese? Why?
3. Are the values and/or traditions of the Japanese similar to
Filipino values and traditions? In what way?
4. Why is it important to know the values and traditions of our
Asian neighbors?
In more general terms, filial piety means to be good to
one's parents; to take care of one's parents; to engage in
good conduct not just towards parents but also outside the
home so as to bring a good name to one's parents and
ancestors; to perform the duties of one's job well so as to
obtain the material means to support parents as well as carry
out sacrifices to the ancestors; not be rebellious; show love,
respect and support; display courtesy; ensure male heirs,
uphold fraternity among brothers; wisely advise one's
parents, including dissuading them from moral
unrighteousness; display sorrow for their sickness and death;
and carry out sacrifices after their death.
