Long, long ago, in a certain village, there lived a kind old man and his elderly mother. The village had a harsh custom called “ubasute,” where elderly people were taken to a mountain and left there when they became too old to take care of themselves. This practice was meant to ease the burden on their families during times of famine or hardship.
One day, the old man realized that it was time to follow the village’s custom and take his mother to Ubasute Yama. He felt deep sorrow, but he knew he had no choice. With a heavy heart, he carried his mother on his back and began the journey to the mountain.
As they walked, the mother, sensing her son’s sadness, began to break off small branches and drop them along the path. The old man noticed and asked, “Mother, why are you dropping branches?”
She replied gently, “So that you can find your way back home, my son.”
The old man’s heart ached with love and regret. He thought, “How can I abandon my mother who cares so much for me?” He decided then and there that he could not leave her on the mountain. Instead, he turned around and brought her back home.
When they returned, the old man hid his mother in a small room and took great care of her. Despite the village’s custom, he could not bear to part with her.
One day, a crisis struck the village. The villagers faced a difficult problem they couldn’t solve. The village chief heard of the old man’s wise mother and asked for her help. The old man, still hiding his mother, sought her advice.
His mother provided a brilliant solution to the problem. The old man relayed her advice to the village chief, who then used it to save the village. The villagers were amazed and grateful.
When the chief discovered that the old man’s elderly mother was still alive, he realized the value of wisdom and experience that older people bring. He declared an end to the custom of ubasute, understanding that every life is precious and that the elderly hold invaluable knowledge.
The villagers celebrated the end of the cruel custom and embraced the wisdom of their elders. The old man and his mother lived the rest of their days together, cherished and respected by the village.
The story of Ubasute Yama became a legend, teaching the importance of respecting and valuing the elderly, and reminding everyone of the unconditional love between a parent and child.