The Story of the Aged Mother A Japanese Folktale (An excerpt) By Matsuo Basho Long ago, in a tiny village in Japan, there lived a young farmer and his old mother. They lived well but simply until the cruel governor declared a wicked law. He said, "I have no desire for old people in my village. They are weak and cannot do work!" The law was to put the people aging 75 years and above to be abandoned in the mountain. The cruel governor also added, "All who will disobey the law must be put to death together with their old relatives." This low made the young farmer very sad for his mother was very old. Though he loved his mother, he must obey the governor The young farmer carried his mother to the mountain with a heavy heart. On their way to the mountain, the mother dropped small twigs as markers to help her son get back. When the farmer bade farewell, she advised hiin to return home with the aid of the twigs. This made the son make up his mind to take his mother back home. Filled with dread, he hid his mother in his home. Their kitchen, where he keeps their food, became his mother's new place to live, Time passed, and the farmer was beginning to feel safe when the governor had announced a demand to all of his people that he wanted a rope of ash. Nobody in the village could make one, it was impossible. The farmer became anxious with the governor's demand, so he asked his mother if she knew how to make one. His old mother, filled with the wisdom she gained from her years of living, had smiled to show her son that the govemor's demand is not impossible. She said, "Son, make a rope from a twisted straw." Then she added, "Stretch it on a flat stone and burn it there on a windless night." The farmer did what his mother told him, and amazingly it worked. He told the other villagers that he could make the governor's demand. Immediately, the farmer was sent to the governor's place to show him the rope of ashes. The governor became happy to see how smart his people are from accomplishing a difficult task. To his joy, he asked the farmer where he got his wisdom. This made the farmer tremble in fear and immediately bowed down to the governor, begging for forgiveness. The fariner had told him about his mother and how he was able to create the rope of ashes. The governor became silent and had thought deeply for a while. At that moment, he abolished his law on abandoning the old people He would not kill the elders anymore because they had great wisdom. 36. What punishment would the governor give to those who might disobey the law? A. The relatives of those who will disobey will be put to death B. All who will disobey will be buried at the topmost part of the mountain. C. Any citizen who will disobey will be buried alive by his/her relatives. D. All who will disobey the law must be put to death together with their old relatives. 37. How did the young farmer respond to the law of the governor? A. He must obey the governor B. He would defy the governor's law. C. He should hide his mother from the governor's eyes. D. He could not possibly follow the govemur because he dearly loved his mother 38. What did the govemor think about his demand in making a rope of ash? A. Nobody in the village could make a rope of ash. B. Only the governor himself can make the rope of ash. C. Somebody from the village could make a rope of ash D. It is impossible that someone can think of a way in making a rope of ash. 39. What was the young farmer's reaction upon knowing the governor's demand? A He was certainly desperate. B. He thought that he should not inform his mother about the demand C. He told the other villagers that he could make the govemor's demand D. He did not tell the other villagers that he could make the governor's demand. 40. What could be the decision of the governor after knowing that it was the young farmer's aged mother who taught him how to make a rope of ash? A He would ask the young farmer to be one of his trusted men
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