In a world full of “anti-aging” products and endless beauty routines, the beauty and strength found in aging and old age are hidden behind a plethora of bottles and products. Aging is no longer the well-deserved culmination of wisdom and a well-lived life, but a dreaded time due to perceived weakness.
A Fear of Years
Shining is ruled by a powerful despot, a strong warrior who has “a great and cowardly shrinking from anything suggestive of failing health and strength.” This fear leads the despot to declare that all of the aged people in Shining must be put to death. In this way, he seeks to master his fears by removing what he’s most afraid of.Upon hearing this cruel proclamation, a young farmer grows sorrowful, for he loves his aged mother dearly. Yet, not wishing to disobey orders, he packs some provisions for his mother, puts her on his back, and begins carrying her up a mountain, where he will leave her to die.
The young farmer sorrowfully carries his mother up the mountainside and is so distracted that he heedlessly skips from one path to another. His aged mother notices her son’s erratic trail and how he grows increasingly lost every minute. In one last effort to save her son, the aged mother breaks branches off the trees and drops them to create a path for her son to follow back.
Aging Is Growth
The young farmer makes a cushion of pine needles for his mother and sets her down, bidding her a heartbreaking goodbye. But, before he leaves her, his mother says, “Let not thine eyes be blinded, my son. ... The mountain road is full of dangers. LOOK carefully and follow the path that holds the piles of twigs. They will guide you to the familiar path farther down.”The young farmer sees the path of broken branches and his mother’s scratched hands, the result of a labor of love to save her son. He is overcome with love for his mother and, in an instant, resolves to carry her back down the mountain.
He returns home with his mother, but, still fearing the despot, the young farmer hides her beneath the kitchen. He keeps her there, providing her with everything she needs, while constantly worrying that she will be discovered.
One day, soon after, the despot issues an impossible order to the people: He orders his people to produce for him a rope of ashes. While everyone else trembles at this incredible task, the young farmer’s mother promises a solution.
Through this story, Basho emphasizes the beauty, strength, courage, and wisdom in grey hair. And, much like Mitch Albom says in “Tuesdays With Morrie,” Basho seems to say: “Aging is not just decay, you know. Its growth. It’s more than the negative that you’re going to die, it’s the positive that you understand you’re going to die, and that you live a better life because of it.”
Thus, Basho demonstrates that aging is not weakness but a final flash of wisdom, beauty, courage, and love. White hair becomes the honorable badge that adorns those who have bravely endured life and reached a beautiful, well-deserved culmination of their journey.
