The Wise Old Woman

Retold by Yoshiko Uchida

Illustrated by Martin Springett





The Wise Old Woman is Uchida's imaginative retelling of a Japanese folktale. In the tale, a cruel young lord declares that anyone over the age of seventy is no longer useful, and thus, must be taken into the mountains and left to die. When one young farmer's mother reaches the dreaded age, he reluctantly carries her into the mountains. However, once there, the young farmer cannot bear to leave his mother, so he brings her home and hides her in a secret room beneath the kitchen. Two years later, three warriors suddenly storm into the village, warning the cruel young lord that the mighty Lord Higa will come to conquer his village. When the lord begs to be spared, the warriors toss him a scroll listing three impossible tasks. If he can complete the three impossible tasks, the young lord and his village will be saved. When the village's wisest minds are not able to solve the three difficult tasks, the young lord posts a notice promising a bag of gold to anyone who can help. The farmer hurries home to tell his mother of the dilemma and she sets about completing the three tasks: making a coil rope out of ashes, running a single thread through the length of a crooked log, and making a drum sound without beating it. Upon presenting the completed tasks, the farmer is accused of not being wise enough to complete such tasks, and the young lord demands to know who is responsible. The farmer confesses to hiding his mother and explains that she is responsible for saving the village from Lord Higa. Surprisingly, the young lord revokes his original decree and proclaims that old people will now be treated with respect and will share the wisdom of their years.  

While the folktale of The Wise Old Woman serves to entertain young readers with its careful descriptions and bold illustrations, it also contains an important message about respecting the elderly. Often older members of our society are viewed as being incapable of simple tasks and as a burden to younger generations. However, through this clever book, Uchida reminds children that true wisdom comes from life experience and that a great deal may be learned from those older than themselves.

Yoshiko Uchida

Widely acclaimed for her work, Yoshiko Uchida has spent several decades writing children's books about the Japanese-American experience. In addition to The Wise Old Woman, Uchida has authored the following titles:

   

• The Dancing Kettle and Other Japanese Folk Tales (1949)
• A Jar of Dreams (1981)
• The Two Foolish Cats (1987)
• The Magic Purse (1993)