Question

‘The old are wise’. Prove this with reference to the story ‘The Aged Mother.

Answer 1

• Introduction:
  A cruel leader ruled the province of Shining. He made an announcement that the aged of the province should be put to death. In this paragraph, we are going to prove that the old are wise.
• The old are wise:
  A poor farmer loved his mother. He took his mother to the top of the mountain with difficulties. The paths were narrow and confusing. When he bid farewell to her, she advised him to follow the path. She had dropped piles of twigs on the path. This could help him find his way clearly. He brought her mother back and hide her in the wall beside the kitchen floor.
• Idea of the mother:
  The governor demanded a rope of ashes. The mother gave him a clever idea to make it. He presented it to the governor. He was amazed. The governor praised the old mother for her wisdom.
• Conclusion:
  He admired the old mother and abolished his cruel law against the aged people. Thus, we are observed that the “Old are wise” through this story.

Answer 2

Title: The Aged Mother
Author: Matsuo Basho (1644 – 1694)
Character: The farmer, his mother, and the governor.
Theme: “The old are always wise”

Shining was ruled by a cruel leader. He announced that all old people must be put to death. A poor farmer became sad after this announcement because he loved his mother very much. So he took his mother on his back to the summit. It was very difficult as the path was long, narrow, steep, and confusing.

It was crossed and recrossed by many paths. He brought his mother back and hid her in a closet beneath the kitchen floor. The governor demanded a rope of ashes. The mother gave him the clever idea to make it. Her son presented it to the governor. He was amazed. He praised the old mother for her wisdom. Thus he abolished his cruel law against the aged people.

“The aged people deserve our care”

Answer 3

1. Shining was ruled by a cruel leader
2. He announced to put all the aged to death
3. A poor farmer became sad as he loved his mother very much
4. He took his mother to the summit
5. The path was long, steep, and narrow
6. It was very difficult for him to carry his mother
7. He left her there and bade farewell to her mother
8. He brought his mother back home and hid her in a closet
9. The governor demanded a rope of ashes
10. The farmer’s mother gave a clever idea to make it
11. The governor was amazed seeing it
12. He praised the old mother for her wisdom
13. The governor abolished the cruel law against the aged people.