THE STORY OF THE AGED MOTHER (FOR 8TH GRADE) - JFSTYLE

Summary

In ancient Shinano, a despotic leader decreed the death of all elderly to avoid weakness. A poor farmer, torn between love and law, carried his aged mother up Obatsuyama to abandon her. The mother's love guided them back with twigs marking the path. Her wisdom later saved her, as she helped the farmer fulfill an impossible royal demand, leading to the repeal of the cruel law.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ The story is set in a rural area at the foot of a mountain, where a poor farmer and his aged mother live a humble and peaceful life.
• 👑 The region of Shinano is ruled by a despotic leader who fears aging and decrepitude, leading to a cruel decree.
• ⚔️ The proclamation orders the immediate execution of all elderly people, reflecting the harsh and barbaric customs of the time.
• 💔 The farmer, despite loving his mother deeply, is torn between his affection and the obligation to obey the ruler's mandate.
• 🌄 The farmer embarks on a heart-wrenching journey up the mountain, known as Obatsuyama, to abandon his mother, carrying provisions for her.
• 🌳 The mother, showing wisdom and love, secretly marks their path with twigs to ensure her son's safe return, highlighting her unselfish concern.
• 🛏️ Upon reaching the summit, the farmer prepares a comfortable spot for his mother, demonstrating his tender care amidst sorrow.
• 👣 The mother's final advice to her son is to follow the path marked by twigs, symbolizing her guidance and protection even in her absence.
• 😭 The farmer, overwhelmed by his mother's kindness, decides against leaving her and chooses to face death together, reflecting the depth of their bond.
• 🔥 A second challenge arises when the governor demands a rope of ashes, to which the mother provides a clever solution, showcasing her wisdom.
• 🎉 The governor, moved by the farmer's story and the mother's wisdom, abolishes the cruel law, marking a turning point in the society's treatment of the elderly.

Q & A

What is the main setting of the story?

The story is set in ancient Shinano, at the foot of a mountain where a poor farmer and his aged mother live.

Who is the despotic leader of Shinano and what proclamation does he make?

The despotic leader is not named in the script, but he is described as a warrior who is fearful of aging and sickness. He makes a cruel proclamation ordering the immediate execution of all aged people in the province.

Why does the farmer disobey the order to abandon his mother?

The farmer disobeys the order because he loves his mother with tender reverence and cannot bear to abandon her.

How does the mother help her son find his way back down the mountain?

The mother, noticing the reckless haste of her son, snaps twigs from bushes and drops them at intervals along the path to mark their way.

What is the significance of the mountain called Obatsuyama?

Obatsuyama, the mountain of the abandoning of the aged, is significant as it is where the aged were traditionally taken to be left to die.

What does the son do when he realizes the danger his mother has taken to mark the path?

Upon seeing the scratched and sore hands of his mother from marking the path, the son is overwhelmed with emotion and decides not to leave her, but to die together.

How does the son hide his mother to protect her from the cruel law?

The son hides his mother in a wall closet for food in their little hut, which is covered and hidden from view.

What is the governor's unreasonable demand that causes distress among the people?

The governor demands that his subjects present him with a rope of ashes, which is an impossible task.

How does the mother help her son fulfill the governor's demand?

The mother instructs her son to make a rope of twisted straw, stretch it on flat stones, and burn it on a windlass to create a rope of ashes.

What change does the governor make after hearing the farmer's story?

The governor, moved by the farmer's story and the wisdom of his mother, abolishes the cruel law that mandates the abandonment of the aged.

What is the moral of the story?

The moral of the story is that wisdom and compassion come with age, and that the elderly should be revered and cared for rather than abandoned.