The Aged Mother
By Matsuo Basho
Certainly! This Japanese folktale, also known as "The Story of the Aged Mother," tells the story of a cold-hearted monarch who issues severe decrees, one of which orders the elderly to perish. A poignant narrative unfolds through Basho's words, illustrating the great love shared by a mother and her son.
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| "The Moon and the Abandoned Old Woman" by Yoshitoshi, 1892 |
Once upon a time, at the foot of a mountain, there lived a poor farmer and his old widowed mother. They have little land to provide food, they are humble, peaceful and happy.
Shining's master was a cruel, yet heroic, degenerate leader who feared anything that indicated declining health or strength. This led him to post a negative message. A strict order was given throughout the palace to immediately kill all the elders. Those were strange times, and it was not uncommon for the elderly to be left to die. The poor farmer loved his old mother tenderly, and the order filled his heart with sadness. But no one thought twice about obeying the governor's orders, so the young men groaned and were eager to prepare for what was thought to be the best way of death.
When the work is finished, when the sun sets, they take a handful of white rice, the staple food of the poor, cook it, dry it, tie it in a square cloth and shake it. He had a bundle around his neck and a gourd filled with cold, sweet water. He then began the painful journey through the mountains, carrying his helpless grandmother on his back. The path is long and steep. The narrow path has been crossed and recrossed by many paths made by hunters and loggers. In some places he fell and got confused, but he didn't care. It doesn't matter which way. He went up blind. We continued to a high peak called Obatsuyama, "the mountain that abandons the elderly".
The old woman's eyes were not very sad, but when she saw him running erratically from one direction to another, her heart became sad. His son did not know that there were many ways up the mountain and that the return could be dangerous, so he reached out and broke a branch from the forest as they went, gently dropping a handful from each step to help them climb. , the narrow road behind them is often broken by small piles of branches. We finally reached the top. As his beloved's last duty, the weary and heartbroken young man quietly left his duty and quietly prepared a place of comfort. He gathered fallen pine needles to make a soft pillow and carefully placed his old mother on it. Hugh pulled his father's coat around his hunched shoulders and said goodbye with tearful eyes and a sad heart.
Mother's trembling voice as she gave the last command was full of unconditional love. "My son, don't close your eyes." he said "The mountain paths are full of danger. Look carefully and follow the path to the pile of branches. They will guide you on the wise way down." The boy's startled eyes looked back across the street, at his hands that were bruised, withered, scratched and dirty from work. His heart broke, he fell to the ground and cried. en loud voice: "O mother, I will not leave thee for thy goodness." We will follow the path of the branches together, we will die together!”
He picked up his bag again (the moon was shining) and ran in the shadow and moonlight to the little house in the valley. Beneath the kitchen floor is a walled and covered pantry that is hidden from view. The boy hid from his mother, giving her everything she wanted, constantly watching and fearing that she would be found. As time passed, he began to feel insecure as the governor kept sending stupid messages and orders that seemed to boast of his authority. He asked his men to give him a rope made of ash.
The whole government was afraid. Orders must be followed, but who in The Shining can make a rope out of ashes? One night, the boy was very sad and whispered this story to his mother secretly. "wait!" he said “I'll think about it. "I'll think about it." The second day he told her what to do. "Twin straw for making rope." he said "Then spread it on a flat stone and burn it on a windless night." He got the people together and did what he said. And when the fire was extinguished, a cord of ashes was placed on the stone.
The governor was pleased with the young man's intelligence and praised him, but demanded to know where his intelligence came from. "Alas! "You must tell the truth!" cried the farmer. Then he thanked him and told his story. The governor listened and pondered. He finally raised his head. "It's more than just a guy's ability to shine." He said a lot. I wish I had forgotten the famous saying, "Wisdom is in the crown of the eye!" At that time, cruel laws are abolished, traditions are resigned to the past and only legends remain.
