How the mother relies on her son:
The mother is old and, due to a decree of the lord, was supposed to be taken to the mountains to die. However, her son hides her and takes care of her. He builds her a room underneath the kitchen floor where she remains hidden from the village. Therefore, the mother relies on her son for her survival.
How the young lord and the village rely on the mother:
Another lord, more powerful, wants to conquer the village. However, he offers the village and the lord three opportunities to be left alone. He asks for three things that seem impossible at first: one thousand pieces of rope made of ash, a single piece of silk threaded through a hole that bends and curves, and a drum that sounds without being beaten. It is the mother who has the solution to each of those impossible tasks. Therefore, the lord and the village are spared because of her knowledge. They rely on the mother's wisdom.
The short story "The Wise Old Woman" was written by Japanese author of children's books Yoshiko Uchida (1921-1992).
<u>The purpose of the story is to show how valuable wisdom is and how the elderly must be respected and taken care of</u>. Even though their bodies grow weak and they cannot work anymore, old people possess experience and knowledge. It it weren't for the wise old mother, the arrogant young lord and the villagers would have been conquered.
In conclusion, respect for those who are older is important.
Learn more about the story here:
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