0
What is the story about the story of The Aged Mother-japanese folktale?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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.
Shinano 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. 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 dayÂ'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; the narrowed 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. One path or another, it mattered not. On he went, climbing blindly upward Â- ever upward towards the high bare summit of what is know as Obatsuyama, the mountain of the Â"abandoning of agedÂ".
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 mountainÂ'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. 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 motherÂ's voice was full of unselfish love as she gave her last injunction. Â"Let not thine eyes be blinded, my son.Â" She said. Â"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 downÂ". The sonÂ'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: Â"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!Â"
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. 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 Shinano could make a rope of ashes?
One night, in great distress, the son whispered the news to his hidden mother. Â"Wait!Â" she said. Â"I will think. I will thinkÂ" On the second day she told him what to do. Â"Make rope twisted straw,Â" she said. Â"Then stretch it upon a row of flat stones and burn it there on the windless night.Â" 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. Â"Alas! Alas!Â" cried the farmer, Â"the truth must be told!Â" and with deep bows he related his story. The governor listened and then meditated in silence. Finally he lifted his head. Â"Shinano needs more than strength of youth,Â" he said gravely. Â"Ah, that I should have forgotten the well-know saying, Â"with the crown of snow, there cometh a wisdom!Â" That very hour the cruel law was abolished, and custom drifted into as far a past that only legends remains.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
"The Aged Mother" is a Japanese folktale about a cruel ruler who decreed that all old people must be abandoned and left to die in order to reduce the population. A farmer defies this order and seeks wisdom from his elderly mother, who guides him up a mountain where they discover a sacred tree that holds the secret to saving the villagers. Through the story, the importance of respecting and valuing the wisdom of the elderly is emphasized.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why did the author wrote the folktale in the story of the aged mother?
The author wrote the folktale in "The Story of the Aged Mother" to highlight the importance of family, respect for elders, and wisdom gained through experience. The folktale serves as a metaphor for understanding the profound bond between a mother and her child and the values passed down through generations.
Where did the story of The Aged Mother happen?
The story of "The Aged Mother" is a Japanese folktale that takes place in ancient Japan, where an old emperor ruled the land. The story highlights the values of love, wisdom, and nature.
What is the point of view about the story of The Aged Mother Japanese folktale?
The point of view in "The Aged Mother" Japanese folktale is third person omniscient, where the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters. This allows the reader to gain insight into the perspectives of both the aged mother and her son, highlighting themes of love, sacrifice, and wisdom.
What is the style of the story of the aged mother?
"The Story of the Aged Mother" is a folktale written in a traditional Japanese style, with themes of filial piety, love, and wisdom. It is a simple and straightforward narrative with a moral lesson at its core.
Who are the characters in the story of The Aged Mother a Japanese folktale?
The main characters in the Japanese folktale "The Aged Mother" are the Emperor, his decree to abandon elderly parents, the woodcutter’s son, and the woodcutter's aged mother. The story follows the woodcutter and his mother as they face the Emperor's decree and embark on a journey to the mountain where the mother imparts wisdom that saves the village from famine.
What is the point of view about the story of The Aged Mother Japanese folktale?
The point of view in "The Aged Mother" Japanese folktale is third person omniscient, where the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters. This allows the reader to gain insight into the perspectives of both the aged mother and her son, highlighting themes of love, sacrifice, and wisdom.
What are the settings for the The Aged Mother Japanese folktale?
The setting of "The Aged Mother" folktale is Japan during a time of strict laws that required the elderly to be put to death. The story takes place in a village at the foot of a mountain, where the protagonist, a mother and her son, endure hardship before embarking on a journey up the mountain.
Who are the characters in the story of The Aged Mother a Japanese folktale?
The main characters in the Japanese folktale "The Aged Mother" are the Emperor, his decree to abandon elderly parents, the woodcutter’s son, and the woodcutter's aged mother. The story follows the woodcutter and his mother as they face the Emperor's decree and embark on a journey to the mountain where the mother imparts wisdom that saves the village from famine.
What is the answered story about the story of The Aged Mother-japanese folktale?
suma nimo adic mhan ca
What are the elements of the story of The Aged Mother a Japanese folktale?
"The Aged Mother" is a Japanese folktale that follows a mother and her son as they face a harsh government decree that all elderly people must be abandoned and left to die. The story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the wisdom that comes with old age. It emphasizes the importance of respecting and valuing the elderly.
What is the conflict of the story of The Aged Mother-japanese folktale?
The conflict in the Japanese folktale "The Aged Mother" arises when a cruel ruler decrees that all elderly people must be abandoned and left to die. The protagonist, a devoted son, must choose between obeying the ruler's command and saving his mother's life, leading to a moral dilemma and a test of traditional values.
What is the story about The Aged Mother-japanese folktale summary?
"The Aged Mother" is a Japanese folktale about a cruel ruler who decrees that all elderly people must be put to death. A farmer disobeys the order and hides his mother in the mountain. Together, they survive the harsh conditions and the mother imparts wisdom through allegorical tests. In the end, the ruler realizes the value of elderly wisdom and rescinds his order.
What is the point of view in the story of The Aged Mother a Japanese folktale?
The Point of View of the story is a Third-Person Point of View (Omniscient). She can see into each character's mind and observe what they are doing. The narrator exists beyond the plot, and she refers to the characters by name or as he, she, and them.
Who write The story of an aged mother-a Japanese folktale?
Matsuo Basho, a Japanese poet who lived in the 17th century, was the original writer of The Aged Mother.
Is Matsuo Basho part of the Story of The Aged Mother?
No, Matsuo Basho is not part of the Story of the Aged Mother. Basho was a famous Japanese poet known for his haiku poetry, while "The Story of the Aged Mother" is a traditional Japanese folktale that tells the tale of a mother and her son.
Who is the character of the story of The Aged Mother a Japanese folktale?
The character of The Aged Mother is a wise old woman who acts as the protagonist of the Japanese folktale. She is known for her knowledge and compassion, and she plays a significant role in teaching her son the importance of nature and filial love.
Who is the character of The Aged Mother by Japanese folktale?
The character of The Aged Mother in the Japanese folktale is a kind and wise elderly woman who helps guide her son and the village to safety through her wisdom and love for her son. She symbolizes the importance of respecting and caring for the elderly in society.
