Question

Narrate the circumstances that led to the abandoning of the aged in Shining.

Answer 1

• Introduction:
  The story “The Aged Mother” was written by Matsuo Basho. This story tells about the love and affection of a son and his mother.
• Cruel Decision:
  Shining was ruled by a cruel leader. The entire province was given strict orders to kill all aged people in the country. The custom of abandoning old people to die was not uncommon.
• Farmer’s Idea:
  The poor farmer loved his mother. The order filled his heart with sorrow. He thought twice about it. So, he wanted his mother to be on the high bare summit of Obatsuyama the mountain of the “abandoning aged”.
• Wise old mother:
  The farmer left his mother at the summit. The mother picked up some pine twigs and left them over the way for her son’s safe return. The cruel leader asked the farmer to prepare a rope of ashes to dismiss the order. The old mother gave an idea, with that the farmer produced a rope of ashes.
• Conclusion:
  This shows that the old people are wise and experienced. Thus, the emperor realized his mistake and abolished the cruel law.

Answer 2

Title: The Aged Mother
Author: Matsuo Basho (1644 – 1694)
Character: The farmer, his mother, and the governor
Theme: “Haste makes waste”.

Shining was ruled by a cruel ruler. He was a warrior. He was a coward shrinking from anything’ suggestive of failing health and strength. This caused him to make a cruel announcement.

The province was given strict orders to put to death all aged people. The poor farmer loved his aged mother and respected her. This order made him very sad. But none thought twice about it. So the farmer prepared to give his mother the kindest mode of death. He took her to the bare summit called Obat-Suyama, the mountain of ‘abandoning of the aged’.

Answer 3

1. A cruel leader ruled ‘Shining’
2. He was a warrior
3. He made a cruel announcement to kill all aged people
4. The poor farmer loved his aged mother very much
5. This order made him very sad
6. So, the farmer prepared the kindest mode of death for his mother
7. He took his mother to the summit of Obatsuyama
8. It was the mountain of abandoning of the aged.