Samacheer Kalvi Class 10 English Solutions Chapter 4 The Aged Mother

A. Rearrange the Sentences Given Below in the Correct Sequence.

1. The son made up his mind to take back his mother home.
2. A farmer decided to leave his old mother on top of a mountain.
3. The governor realized his mistake and abolished the law.
4. Once in Shining, a cruel ruler declared that all old people must be put to death.
5. Using the clever idea of his mother, the farmer made a rope of ashes.
6. When the farmer bade farewell, she advised him to return home with the aid of twigs.
7. Filled with dread, he hid his mother in his home.
8. The mother dropped the small twigs as markers on the way to help her son return.
Answer:
1. Once in Shining, a cruel ruler declared that all old people must be put to death.
2. A farmer decided to leave his old mother on top of a mountain.
3. The mother dropped the small twigs as markers on the way to help her son return.
4. When the farmer bade farewell, she advised him to return home with the aid of twigs.
5. The son made up his mind to take back his mother home.
6. Filled with dread, he hid his mother in his home.
7. Using the clever idea of his mother, the farmer made a rope of ashes.
8. The governor realized his mistake and abolished the law.
In simple words: These sentences describe the story of "The Aged Mother" in the correct order, from the cruel law to its eventual abolishment. The order helps to understand how the events unfolded.

🎯 Exam Tip: When rearranging sentences, look for key words or phrases that indicate cause and effect, time sequence, or logical progression to identify the correct order.

B. Answer the Following Questions in One or Two Sentences.

Question 1. What was the cruel announcement made by the leader?
Answer: The cruel announcement made by the leader was that all aged people must be put to death. This was a very harsh rule that caused much suffering.
In simple words: The leader announced that all old people had to be killed.

🎯 Exam Tip: For direct questions, clearly state the main fact and add a short detail if needed to complete the answer.

Question 2. Why was the farmer filled with sorrow?
Answer: The farmer was filled with great sorrow because he deeply loved his aged mother. He did not want her to die, especially by this cruel law. His love for her made the task very painful.
In simple words: The farmer was sad because he loved his mother very much and did not want her to die.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the emotional reason behind the character's actions to answer "why" questions effectively.

Question 3. What were the things carried by the farmer to the summit of the mountain?
Answer: The farmer carried several items to the mountain top for his mother. He took unwhitened rice, which he cooked and dried, then tied it in a cloth around his neck. He also brought a gourd filled with cool, sweet water to sustain her. These items were meant to provide comfort during her last moments.
In simple words: The farmer carried cooked rice and a gourd with sweet water up the mountain.

🎯 Exam Tip: List all items clearly and concisely to ensure a complete answer to a "what" question.

Question 4. Why did the mother become anxious as they climbed up the mountain?
Answer: The mother became anxious during the climb because she was worried about her son's safety. She feared that he might get lost on the mountain's many paths when returning alone. Her anxiety stemmed from a loving concern for her child. Her worry was about his return journey, not her own fate.
In simple words: The mother worried her son would get lost coming back from the mountain because he did not know the paths.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the specific reason for the mother's anxiety, which was her son's return, not her own abandonment.

Question 5. What did the mother drop along the way?
Answer: The mother discreetly dropped small piles of twigs along the path as they traveled up the mountain. These twigs were meant to serve as markers to guide her son safely back home. This shows her thoughtful and caring nature.
In simple words: The mother dropped small bundles of twigs on the path.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember to specify "piles of twigs" and not just "twigs" to match the detail given in the story.

Question 6. What was the advice given by his mother for the safe return of her son?
Answer: The mother advised her son to carefully observe the path and follow the piles of twigs she had dropped. These twigs would lead him back down to the familiar road, ensuring his safe return. Her wisdom helped protect her son.
In simple words: The mother told her son to follow the twigs she dropped to find his way back home.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing advice, clearly state both the instruction and the purpose behind it.

Question 7. Why did the farmer's burden seem to be light on his way back home?
Answer: The farmer's burden seemed lighter on his way back home because he was happy to be taking his mother with him. His initial sorrow was replaced by relief and joy as he decided not to abandon her. This emotional shift made the physical burden feel less heavy.
In simple words: The farmer felt lighter because he was happy to take his mother back home, instead of leaving her.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the physical sensation (light burden) to the emotional state (happiness) for a complete explanation.

Question 8. Where did the farmer hide his mother?
Answer: The farmer carefully hid his mother in a walled closet located beneath the kitchen floor. This secret hiding place kept her safe from the governor's cruel law. He made sure she was concealed well.
In simple words: The farmer hid his mother in a secret closet under the kitchen floor.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be specific about the hiding place, mentioning both the "walled closet" and its location "beneath the kitchen floor."

Question 9. How did the farmer make the rope of ashes? On whose suggestion did he do it?
Answer: The farmer made the rope of ashes by first twisting a rope of straw. Then, on a windless night, he burned this straw rope on a flat stone, carefully collecting the ashes in the shape of a rope. This clever idea came from his wise mother. The mother's intelligence provided the solution.
In simple words: The farmer made a straw rope, then burned it on a calm night to get a rope of ashes. His mother told him how to do it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure your answer covers both parts of the question: how the rope was made and whose suggestion it was.

Question 10. How did the Governor realize his mistake?
Answer: The Governor realized his mistake after listening to the farmer's story about his mother's wisdom. He then meditated in silence, reflecting on the profound advice and the value of the aged. This deep thought made him understand the cruelty of his law, leading him to abolish it. He learned that old age brings wisdom.
In simple words: The Governor understood his mistake after hearing the farmer's story about his mother's wisdom and thinking quietly about it.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the two key actions that led to the Governor's realization: listening to the story and meditating.

C. Answer Each of the Following in a Paragraph of 120 to 150 Words.

Question 1. Narrate the circumstances that led to the abandoning of the aged in Shining.
Answer: The country of Shining was governed by a very cruel leader who was also a warrior. However, he had a fear of anything that showed weakness or declining health and strength. Because of this fear, he made a harsh announcement. He ordered that all old people in the entire province must be put to death immediately. This was a very difficult time, and it was a common practice to leave old people to die. This custom meant that many families had to make tough choices. The story focuses on a poor farmer who loved his aged mother very much. This cruel order filled his heart with deep sorrow and hopelessness. Even though it was painful, he prepared to carry out what was considered the kindest way for his mother to die. He decided to take her to the top of Obatsuyama mountain and leave her there, following the custom and the governor's decree. This shows the sad reality of the time. The harsh rule was a result of the leader's own fears and biases.
In simple words: A cruel leader in Shining, who feared weakness, ordered all old people to be killed. A farmer, though loving his mother, prepared to abandon her on a mountain as was the custom.

🎯 Exam Tip: When narrating circumstances, start with the root cause (the ruler's fear and decree), then explain its impact on the general populace and specifically on the farmer.

Question 2. Describe the farmer's painful journey up the mountain.
Answer: The farmer's journey up the mountain with his mother was filled with pain and difficulty. At sunset, he began his ascent, carrying some cooked and dried unwhitened rice, which was common food, and a gourd of cool, sweet water. The path was long, very steep, and constantly crossed by routes used by woodcutters and other farmers. Despite getting lost and confused in some places, he pushed on, heading blindly upwards, not caring about the difficult terrain. His mother, however, was anxious, not for herself, but for her son's safe return. She wisely dropped piles of twigs along the path to help him find his way back. When they reached the summit, the farmer, feeling weary and heartbroken, gently placed his mother down. As a final act of love and duty, he made a comfortable spot for her. This journey was a heavy emotional burden for the farmer, highlighting his love and the harshness of the law. The mother's foresight saved her son's life.
In simple words: The farmer painfully carried his mother up a long, steep mountain, bringing food and water. His mother helped him by dropping twigs to mark the way back. He was sad but made a comfortable place for her at the top.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the physical aspects of the journey (steep, long path) and the emotional burden on both the farmer and his mother, including her acts of wisdom.

Question 3. 'The old are wise'. Prove this with reference to the story 'The Aged Mother.
Answer: The story "The Aged Mother" clearly proves that "the old are wise" through the actions of the farmer's mother. A cruel ruler in Shining had ordered all old people to be killed. The farmer loved his mother dearly and was heartbroken by this. He sadly carried her up a dangerous mountain, a path filled with difficulties. On their way, his mother, worried about his safe return, advised him to follow the piles of twigs she dropped, showing her deep care and foresight. Later, when the governor demanded an impossible rope of ashes, it was the aged mother who gave her son a clever solution. She told him to make a straw rope, lay it on a flat stone on a windless night, and burn it to get a rope of ashes. This display of wisdom amazed the governor. He listened to the farmer's story, meditated on it, and realized his mistake. He then praised the old mother's wisdom and abolished his cruel law. Thus, the mother's intelligence and compassion not only saved her son but also changed a harsh policy. Her wisdom truly shone through. This teaches everyone that experience brings valuable insights.
In simple words: The farmer's old mother showed great wisdom. She helped her son find his way back from the mountain by dropping twigs. Later, she gave him a clever idea to make a rope of ashes, which impressed the governor. Her wisdom changed the cruel law.

🎯 Exam Tip: Support the statement "the old are wise" with specific examples from the story, such as the twigs for guidance and the rope of ashes, and connect these actions to the governor's change of heart.

D. Identify the Character/Speaker.

Question 1. He gave orders for the aged to be put to death.
Answer: governor
In simple words: The governor was the person who made the rule to kill old people.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the key action and recall which character in the story performed it.

Question 2. He considered the order to be the kindest mode of death.
Answer: farmer
In simple words: The farmer believed taking his mother to the mountain was a gentle way for her to die.

🎯 Exam Tip: This refers to the farmer's mindset when he thought he had no other choice but to follow the cruel law.

Question 3. She quietly dropped some twigs on the way.
Answer: the aged mother
In simple words: The old mother dropped twigs without making a sound.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the action and who performs it, not just the object.

Question 4. Let not thine eyes be blinded.
Answer: the aged mother
In simple words: The old mother spoke these words of warning.

🎯 Exam Tip: This line shows the mother's concern for her son's awareness during the journey.

Question 5. Together we will follow the path together we will die.
Answer: farmer
In simple words: The farmer decided that he would not leave his mother and would face death with her.

🎯 Exam Tip: This quote reveals the farmer's deep love and determination to stay with his mother.

Question 6. I will think. I will think.
Answer: the aged mother
In simple words: The old mother was trying to find a solution to the governor's difficult request.

🎯 Exam Tip: This line is spoken by the mother when she is asked to provide a solution to the governor's challenge.

Question 7. The truth must be told.
Answer: farmer
In simple words: The farmer felt he had to tell the governor the truth about his mother's wisdom.

🎯 Exam Tip: This line is important as it marks the moment the farmer decided to reveal his secret to the governor.

Question 8. He listened and meditated in silence.
Answer: governor
In simple words: The governor quietly thought about what he had heard.

🎯 Exam Tip: This describes the governor's reaction after hearing the farmer's story, leading to his change of heart.

Question 9. Shining needs more than the strength of the youth.
Answer: governor
In simple words: The governor realized that the country needed not just young people but also the wisdom of the old.

🎯 Exam Tip: This statement reflects the governor's new understanding of the value of older people.

Question 10. With the crown of snow there cometh wisdom.
Answer: governor
In simple words: The governor said that old age, represented by white hair, brings wisdom.

🎯 Exam Tip: This proverb shows the governor's final realization and acceptance of the importance of the elderly.

E. Choose the Appropriate Answer and Fill in the Blanks.

Question 1. Shining was governed by a ........... leader.
(a) strict
(b) kind
(c) cruel
(d) diplomatic.
Answer: (c) cruel
In simple words: The ruler of Shining was a cruel leader.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall the nature of the ruler and his decree to choose the correct adjective.

Question 2. The ........... was the principal food for the poor.
(a) wheat
(b) brown rice
(c) unwhitened rice
(d) millet
Answer: (c) unwhitened rice
In simple words: Unwhitened rice was the main food for poor people.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the specific type of rice mentioned in the story as the staple food.

Question 3. The road was crossed and re-crossed by many paths made by the ...........
(a) hunters and woodcutters
(b) robbers and thieves
(c) vendors and tradesmen
(d) wildlife photographers and trekkers
Answer: (a) hunters and woodcutters
In simple words: Hunters and woodcutters created many paths on the mountain.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall the description of the mountain paths and the people who frequented them.

Question 4. Gathering ........... he made a soft cushion and tenderly lifted his old mother onto it.
(a) dry leaves
(b) fallen pine
(c) broken twigs
(d) flowers
Answer: (b) fallen pine
In simple words: He used fallen pine needles to make a soft bed for his mother.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the natural material the farmer used to create comfort for his mother at the mountain top.

Question 5. The governor demanded that his subjects should present him with a ...........
(a) basket of fruits
(b) rope of ashes
(c) flesh of animals
(d) bag of silverwares
Answer: (b) rope of ashes
In simple words: The governor asked his people to bring him a rope made of ashes.

🎯 Exam Tip: This was the impossible task given by the governor, which only the wise old mother could solve.

Rearrange the Following Sentence in Coherent Order.

1. (a) Strict order were given to put to death all aged people
2. (b) The poor farmer loved his aged mother with tender reverence
3. (c) The order filled his heart with sorrow
4. (d) He had a cowardly shrinking from anything suggestive of failing health and strength
5. (e) The country shining was governed by a despotic leader
Answer:
1. (e) The country shining was governed by a despotic leader
2. (d) He had a cowardly shrinking from anything suggestive of failing health and strength
3. (a) Strict order were given to put to death all aged people
4. (b) The poor farmer loved his aged mother with tender reverence
5. (c) The order filled his heart with sorrow
In simple words: The correct order of events starts with the cruel ruler, followed by his cowardly nature, the strict order against the aged, the farmer's love for his mother, and his sorrow.

🎯 Exam Tip: Arrange the sentences logically, starting with the setting and cause, then the main event, and finally the immediate effect.

Exercise: 2

1. (a) The Governor said, “I should have forgotten the well-known saying – with the crown of snow, there cometh wisdom".
2. (b) The aged mother's son called the people and made a rope of ashes, as his mother said.
3. (c) With deep bows he related his story.
4. (d) He demanded to know where he had obtained his wisdom.
5. (e) The governor was pleased at the wit of the youth.
Answer:
1. (b) The aged mother's son called the people and made a rope of ashes, as his mother said.
2. (e) The governor was pleased at the wit of the youth.
3. (d) He demanded to know where he had obtained his wisdom.
4. (c) With deep bows he related his story.
5. (a) The Governor said, “I should have forgotten the well-known saying – with the crown of snow, there cometh wisdom".
In simple words: The events unfold as the son shows the rope of ashes, the governor is impressed, asks about the wisdom, hears the full story, and then reflects on the wisdom of the aged.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the sequence of discovery and realization, from the farmer's action to the governor's response and eventual understanding.

Exercise: 3

1. (a) She gave an idea – "make a rope of twisted straw"
2. (b) Again the governor sent forth herald bearing an unreasonable order.
3. (c) An stretch it upon flat stone and burn it on a windless night.
4. (d) The son whispered the news to his hidden mother.
5. (e) He demanded his subject to present him with a rope of ashes.

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

The country Shining was governed by a despotic leader who though a warrior, had a great and cowardly shrinking from anything suggestive of failing health and strength. This caused him to send out a cruel proclamation. The entire province was given strict orders to immediately put to death all aged people. Those were barbarous days, and the custom to die was not uncommon. The poor farmer loved his aged mother with tender reverence, and the order filled his heart with sorrow. But no one ever thought twice about obeying the mandate of the governor, so with many deep and hopeless sighs, the youth prepared for what at that time was considered the kindest mode of death.

Question 1. Who governed Shining?
Answer: The country Shining was ruled by a leader who acted like a dictator. He had absolute power over the people. The people in Shining lived under his strict rule.
In simple words: A very strict leader ruled Shining.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying who rules, state the type of ruler and their core characteristic clearly.

Question 2. What was the cowardly act of the governor?
Answer: The governor's cowardly act was that he feared anything that showed weakness or sickness. He did not want to appear frail. This fear made him make harsh rules.
In simple words: The governor was scared of anything that showed weakness.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the root cause of the action, in this case, the governor's fear of appearing weak.

Question 3. What proclamation did the governor send out?
Answer: The governor announced a cruel law that said all old people must be put to death. This was a very harsh command given to everyone. He wanted to get rid of anyone who seemed frail.
In simple words: The governor ordered that all old people should be killed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify key terms like "proclamation" and "aged people" when describing laws from a ruler.

Question 4. How did the poor farmer treat his mother?
Answer: The poor farmer treated his mother with deep love and respect. He held her in high regard and cared for her gently. His actions showed how much he cherished her.
In simple words: The farmer loved and respected his mother very much.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use descriptive words like "tender reverence" to show the depth of feeling when explaining relationships.

Question 5. Did the people obey the governor's order?
Answer: Yes, the people of the province obeyed the governor's harsh order. They followed his command even though it was very cruel. No one dared to go against his word.
In simple words: Yes, everyone followed the governor's command.

🎯 Exam Tip: For yes/no questions, always state the answer clearly first, then provide a brief supporting detail.

Just at sundown, when his day's work was ended, he took a quantity of unwhitened rice which was the principal food for the poor, and he cooked, dried it, and tied it in a square cloth, which he swung in a bundle around his neck along with a gourd filled with cool, sweet water. Then he lifted his helpless old mother to his back and started on his painful journey up the mountain. The road was long and steep; the narrow road was crossed and recrossed by many paths made by the hunters and woodcutters. In someplace, they lost and confuse, but he gave no heed. One path or another, it mattered not. On he went, climbing blindly upward ever upward towards the high bare summit of what is known as Obatsuyama, the mountain of the "abandoning of the aged".

Question 1. When did he start his journey to the mountain?
Answer: The farmer began his journey to the mountain when the sun was setting. He chose this time of day. This late hour added to the sadness of his task.
In simple words: He started his trip to the mountain when the sun went down.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note specific time details as they often add to the mood or context of the story.

Question 2. What did he carry for his mother?
Answer: He carried cooked, unwhitened rice and cool, sweet water for his mother. These were essential supplies for their difficult journey. He wanted her to have some comfort.
In simple words: He took cooked rice and cool water for her.

🎯 Exam Tip: List all items carried when asked, as details like "unwhitened rice" can be important for context.

Question 3. How was the road on his journey?
Answer: The road he took was very long and went sharply uphill. It was a challenging path for him to walk. The journey was physically very hard.
In simple words: The path was long and went up steeply.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the road's characteristics clearly using adjectives provided in the text.

Question 4. Who made many paths on the narrow road?
Answer: Many different paths on the narrow road were made by hunters and woodcutters. These people often traveled the mountain for their work. Their frequent journeys created the trails.
In simple words: Hunters and woodcutters created many paths on the road.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify all groups mentioned who contributed to the paths.

Question 5. What was the name of the mountain?
Answer: The mountain was called Obatsuyama. This name was given to the place where old people were left. It was a well-known location for this sad custom.
In simple words: The mountain's name was Obatsuyama.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always provide the exact name of locations and characters when asked.