The mountain of no return

SARA BUBBER tells a beautiful Japanese folktale on valuing wisdom and experience and then challenges you to do a personal reflective exercise.

A Japanese Folktale

Once there lived a farmer who lived with his mother on a small piece of land. He worked and earned his food. Despite being poor, he led a happy and peaceful life. His nation, Shining, was ruled by a dictatorial king who was also a skilled warrior. Despite being a warrior, he feared anything that indicated ill-health and lack of strength. He thought weaknesses hindered the country's progress. One day, he issued a terrible order to abandon all the elderly people, whom he regarded as a symbol of sickness. People were very scared of the powerful king and so they did not raise any objections to his order.

The poor farmer adored and respected his loving mother more than anything else in life. So, the cruel ruler’s order made him feel sad, since he did not want his mother to be abandoned.

He thought of a plan to save his mother, but in vain. The poor farmer prepared himself to carry out the king’s command as he lacked the courage to disobey. He looked for gentle ways of leaving his mother and so chose to leave her on the mountain of no return.

The next day the farmer completed his work and prepared to take his mother up the mountain. He packed raw rice and filled a gourd with cool sweet water around his neck in a bundle. With a heavy heart, he bundled up his mother and swung her onto his back.

The farmer started his journey. The mountain was long and steep; the narrow road had many paths made by hunters and woodcutters, which made it confusing. Still, he continued to walk. It didn’t matter to him which road he chose. He climbed upward, proceeding blindly without a second thought, toward Obatsuyama, “abandonment of the aged.” His mother’s eyesight was keen, despite her advanced age, and she noticed how her son rushed to reach the mountain top without thinking through the consequences. The farmer was solely focused on achieving his goal, unaware of how he would return home at night.

His mother, on the other hand, did think about it, since her age and experience had led her to wisdom. She was aware that her son was unfamiliar with the mountain’s numerous pathways and that his return could be dangerous. She thought about ways to ensure his safe return home, and she had an idea. She snapped the twigs from the trees along the route and gently dropped a handful of them every few feet as they climbed the mountain. The tiny stacks of twigs she dropped on the pathways formed a dotted line at regular intervals. She knew that would help her son to return safely.

When the farmer reached the top of the mountain, he felt tired from the journey and the thought of leaving his mother. He put her down, gathered some fallen pine leaves, and made a soft cushion for her to rest. He wrapped a coat around her stooped shoulders and said farewell with an aching heart and tears in his eyes.

His mother gave him one last piece of advice 
in a trembling voice. Like any mother, 
she was concerned about her son’s safety, 
despite being on her deathbed. 

His mother gave him one last piece of advice in a trembling voice. Like any mother, she was concerned about her son’s safety, despite being on her deathbed. She warned him not to walk around in the mountains since it would be dangerous. She advised him to follow the twigs she had dropped as a guide on the mountain path. The farmer looked back and was surprised to see the twigs. He also noticed his mother’s hands, which were scratched and stained from gathering the twigs.

His mother’s affection affected him deeply. “Oh, honorable mother, your kindness breaks my heart!” he cried out loudly. “I will not leave you. We will go back on the path of twigs, and bear the consequences together!” The farmer picked up his beloved mother once again, and hurried down the mountain, through the shadows and moonlight, to his small hut. He hid his mother beneath the kitchen floor where he stored food. He gave her everything she needed but was terrified of people finding out about her existence. After many days, when no one had noticed his aged mother, the farmer was relieved.

The ruler issued another illogical order to dominate and trouble his people. This absurd order was for his subjects to present him with a rope made of ashes, which seemed to be an impossible task. The people of Shining were afraid that if they did not follow his orders they would be considered disobedient. The poor farmer was also concerned how to follow this order.

He told his elderly mother about the king’s command. After a few days, the wise mother advised her son to make a rope out of twisted straw and burn it on a row of flat stones on a windless night.

The farmer called the people of Shining and carried out his mother’s instructions. A marvel revealed itself! After the fire had burned away, the ashes on the stone had taken on the appearance of a rope made of ashes. So the farmer carried out the king’s order.

The king was impressed with the farmer’s wit and intelligence when he saw the ash rope. He demanded to know where such an idea came from. The farmer told him of his mother’s hidden existence. For some time, the king stood quietly, and then announced a new decision. He would not punish the farmer, but instead abolish the terrible law he had established. He told his citizens that Shining needed more than youth. While young people devote their efforts in protecting the country, it would be in vain without the experience and wisdom of the elderly.

While young people devote their efforts
in protecting the country, it would be
in vain without the experience and
wisdom of the elderly.

Let’s reflect!

What have you observed about your grandparents, and elderly relatives and family friends?
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What is your favorite memory with your grandparents or an elderly member of your community?
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What are some of the qualities your elders have, which you admire and would like to cultivate?
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What is something you want to do for your city or country?
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