ENGLISH 8 – FIRST QUARTER
LESSON 1: PARTS OF SPEECH
1. NOUN - is a word that names a person, a place, an
animal, a thing, or an idea.
PERSON -sister, lawyer, classmate, Victoria
PLACE - Philippines, city, bathroom, school
ANIMAL -dog, Hawksbill turtle, cat, bird
THING - pencil, pie, cellphone, plane, cloud
IDEA - justice, freedom, love, century
1.1.Singular and Plural -Nouns can be either singular
or plural, depending on whether they refer to a single
or more than one person, place, thing, or concept.
1.1.1. Rule no.1 - To pluralize regular nouns, add s
to the end. e.g. camera – cameras , cup – cups
1.1.2. Rule no.2 - Add -es to the end of a singular
noun that ends in s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z to make it
plural.
box – boxes , bush - bushes
1.1.3. Rule no.3 - If a singular noun ends in -y and
the letter before the -y is a consonant, change the
ending to -ies to make the noun plural.
puppy – puppies , bunny - bunnies
1.1.4. Rule no.4 - Add -es to the singular noun if it
ends in -o to make it plural.
1.1.5. Rule no.5 - Some nouns undergo no
modification when they are pluralized. e.g.sheep –
sheep , deer – deer
1.1.6. Rule no.6 Some nouns undergo no
modification when they are pluralized.
e.g. mouse – mice , child – children
1.2.Kinds of Noun
1.2.1 Common noun - is a noun that refers to
people or things in general.e.g.
doctor,teacher ,police,lawyer,singer
1.2.2. Proper noun - is a name that identifies a
particular person, place, or thing.
e.g.Peter,John,George, Mr. Williams,Sarah
1.2.3. Concrete noun - is a noun which refers to
people and to things that exist physically and can
be seen, touched, smelled, heard, or tasted.
e.g.chair, clothes,tree,coffee,chalk,radio
1.2.4. Abstract noun - is a noun which refers to
ideas, qualities, and conditions - things that cannot
be seen or touched and things which have no
physical reality.
e.g.truth,time,danger,friendship ,love
1.2.5. Collective nouns - refer to groups of people
or things .e.g. audience,crowd,family,team,army
1.2.6. Mass Nouns – are nouns that can not be
counted, also known as Uncountable Nouns.
e.g.wind ,air,cold,heat
1.2.7. Count Nouns – are nouns that can be
counted, also known as Countable Nouns.
e.g. houses ,cars,money,clothes
1.2.8. Compound nouns - are nouns made up
of two or more words.
e.g. Backyard,Basketball,Skateboard,
1.2.9. Possessive nouns – are nouns that
shows ownership. It uses (‘s)
e.g. Vicky’s house , Baker’s recipe,
1.3. Gender of nouns
1.3.1. Masculine nouns refer to words for a male
figure or male member of a species. e.g. man, boy, actor,
father
1.3.2. Feminine nouns refer to female figures or
female members of a species . e.g. woman, girl, actress,
mother
1.3.3. Common nouns refer to members of a
species and don't specify the gender. e.g. parent, friend,
client, student
1.3.4. Neuter nouns refer to things that have no
gender .
e.g. rock, table, pencil, chocolate
2. PRONOUN - are words that replace nouns, groups of
words functioning as nouns, or other pronouns. The
word that a pronoun replaces or refers to is called its
antecedent. Every pronoun has an antecedent, even if
it's not in the same sentence.
Examples:
Robert wrote his assignment on a paper.
(antecedent) (pronoun)
Jo and Lyn gave their best.
(antecedent) (pronoun)
2.1. KINDS OF PRONOUN
2.1.1. Personal Pronouns- Personal pronouns
refer to specific people, places, things, or ideas by
indicating whether the noun is in the first person,
second person, or third person. Personal pronouns,
like nouns, can be singular or plural.
Singular Plural
First Person I, me we, us
Second Person you you
Third Person he, him, she, her, it they, them
Third-Person Singular Pronouns
Third-person singular pronouns such as "he" and
"him," "she" and "her," and "it" express gender.
The pronouns "he" and "him" are masculine.
The pronouns "she" and "her" are feminine.
The pronoun "it" is neuter.
First Person - The apple was picked by me.
"me" refers to the speaker of the sentence.
Second Person - Samira will buy coffee for you.
"you" refers to the person being spoken to.
Third Person- Aaron gave him the laptop.
"him" refers to the person being talked about.
2.1.2.Possessive Pronouns- are pronouns that
express possession or ownership. Possessive
pronouns do not require an apostrophe.
Singular Plural
First Person my, mine our, ours
Second Person your, yours your, yours
Third Person his, her, hers, its their, theirs
First Person - The pencil is mine.
"mine" refers to the ownership of the speaker.
Second Person - This calculator is yours.
"yours" refers to the ownership of the person being
spoken to.
Third Person- Her book is missing.
"her" refers to the ownership of the person being
talked about.
2.1.3. Indefinite Pronouns - refer to no particular
person, thing, or quantity. Hence the name, indefinite.
Everyone in the class needs to come up with an idea.
"everyone" refers to an unspecific person in class.
 ENGLISH 8 – FIRST QUARTER

Can someone message her?

"someone" refers to an unspecific person. The lion itself kills the elephant.
2.1.6. Relative Pronouns- is a pronoun that introduces a
How much will it cost to build a house?
relative clause. It is called a "relative" pronoun because it
"much" refers to an unspecific amount.
"relates" to the word that its relative clause modifies.
(Singular) (Plural)
e.g.Which,That,Whose,Whoever,Whomever,Who,Whom
Anybody Someone Another
Both The driver who won the race trained hard.
Anything Something Each
Few The dress that I bought yesterday is really nice.
Everybody Somebody Either
Many Spaghetti, which we eat earlier, is my family’s favorite.
Everyone Nothing Neither Other 2.1.7.Reciprocal Pronouns- is used to express a mutual
Everything No one Much
Other Little action or relationship. There are two reciprocal
Nobody
pronouns: Each other,One another
Everybody wants to join the party.
Maria and Juan gave each other gold rings on their
(subject)(singular)(verb) (singular)
wedding day.
Everything needs to be ready.
Terry and Jack were talking to each other over the
(subject)(singular)(verb) (singular)
phone.
Nobody helps me in my project.
The students congratulated one another on their
(subject)(singular)(verb) (singular)
graduation day.
Both of them make chocolates.
The players blamed one another for losing the game.
(subject)(singular)(verb) (singular)
3. Verb - is a word that expresses an action or a state of
Few of them walk home.
being.
(subject)(plural)(verb) (singular)
Aaron danced to his favorite music. "danced" in the
2.1.4. Reflexive Pronouns- is a type of pronoun that sentence above expresses an action of the subject
refers back to a noun or pronoun within a sentence. This "Aaron."
pronoun can act as an object in a sentence. Aaron is a member of the school's dance club. "is" in
Singular Plural the sentence above expresses the state of being of
First Person myself ourselves the subject "Aaron."
Second Person yourself yourselves 3.1 Verb and Time - Using verbs, one can
Third Person himself, herself, itself themselves identify whether an action occurred in the past, is
First Person - I bought myself flowers. occurring in the present, or will occur in the future.
"myself" refers back to the subject of the sentence. Verbs express time through these tense forms.
Second Person - You help yourself with the dinner. Aaron played basketball. Past
"yourself" refers back to the subject of the sentence. Aaron plays basketball. Present
Third Person- She ordered herself a cake.. Aaron will play basketball. Future
"herself" refers back to the subject of the sentence. 3.2 Action Verbs - describes what someone or
something does. Remember that action verbs are not
(Singular) - Myself, always physical actions; they can also be mental
Yourself,Himself,Herself,Oneself,Itsel actions.
(Plural) – Ourselves,Yourselves,themselves Physical Action: Aaron read a book. -"read" expresses a
physical action done by the subject "Aaron."
Jen finished the assignment herself. e.g. run, skip,play,sing,draw,walk, eat,sleep,watch,wave
(female)(singular) (female) (singular) Mental Action: Aaron thought of an idea.- "thought"
expresses a mental action done by the subject "Aaron."
They are too young to go out by themselves. e.g.know,realize,hope,decide,believe, imagine,guess,feel
(plural) (plural) 3.3 Linking Verbs- expresses a state of being and
2.1.5. Intensive Pronouns- is a type of pronoun that also relates the subject to other parts of a sentence. Be verbs
refers back to a noun or pronoun within a sentence.
Unlike reflexive pronouns, this pronoun only emphasizes and sense verbs are considered linking verbs. Be verbs
the noun or pronoun in the same sentence. are the most commonly used linking verbs.
Aaron was a basketball team captain in high school. "was"
Singular Plural
expresses a state of being of the subject "Aaron."
First Person myself ourselves
Other be verbs are am, is, are, was, were, be,been, and
Second Person yourself yourselves
being
Third Person himself, herself, itself themselves
3.4 Sense Verb describes one of the five senses:
(Singular) - Yourself, Myself, Himself,Herself,Oneself,
sight, hearing, smell, and touch.Other verbs that can be
Itself
considered as linking verbs are the
(Plural)- Ourselves , Yourselves, Themselves
following:appear ,become, feel,stay,grow,
Remember: Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns look,remain,taste,seem,smell, sound ,turn
have different uses. Aaron became a professional basketball player. "became"
expresses a state of being of the subject "Aaron."
I, myself is beautiful.
4.Adjective- is a word that describes a noun in greater
The man himself proves the truth. detail. It modifies or describes a noun. An adjective
describes the kind, quantity, or amount of something.
You, yourself must do it.
 ENGLISH 8 – FIRST QUARTER
The flowers are beautiful. - "beautiful" describes the
subject "flowers" in the sentence above.
Rosa Maria has two gardens.- "two" quantifies the noun
"gardens" in the sentence above.
4.1 Forms of Adjectives - Adjectives have forms to
indicate the degree of comparison. The comparative
form compares two nouns or pronouns, while the
superlative form compares three or more nouns or
pronouns.
Positive Comparative Superlative
sweet sweeter sweetest
clever more clever most clever
little less least
4.2. Descriptive Adjectives - are the most common
types of adjectives. This kind of adjective tells something
about a noun by describing a quality or trait.
Appearance – plain ,clear,clean,tall,rough
Color- red blue, yellow,white,brown
Shape - broad,narrow,round,square,wide
5. Adverb- modifies or qualifies a verb, an adjective, or
another adverb about how, where, when, or how much
something is.
5.1 Adverbs Modifying Verbs - answer questions regarding
where, when, how, and to what extent an action occurred
when they modify verbs.
Samira often travels abroad."often" qualifies the
frequency of the verb "travels." In this case, the adverb
modifies the verb.
Samira booked a ticket here. "here" answers the
question, "Where did Samira book a ticket?"
She barely managed to budget her pocket money.
"barely" answers the question, "To what extent did she
manage to budget her pocket money?"
5.2 Adverbs Modifying Adjectives - When it describes an
adjective, an adverb can answer questions about how
much the adjective describes the noun.
Samira is quite happy with her vacation. - "quite"
answers the question, "To what extent is Samira happy?"
The flights going to Japan are fully booked. - "fully"
answers the question, "To what extent are flights to
Japan booked?"
The vacation trip was very memorable.- "very" qualifies
the adjective "memorable." In this case, the adverb
modifies the adjective.
5.3 Adverbs Modifying Adverbs - When an adverb
modifies another adverb, an adverb can answer questions
regarding the extent to which that adverb modifies the
other adverb.
Samira travels quite frequently. "quite" answers the
question, "To what extent does Samira travel
frequently?"
The flights going to Japan are almost fully booked. -
"almost" answers the question, "To what extent are
flights to Japan fully booked?"
The trip yesterday ended up quite badly. - "quite"
qualifies the adverb "badly." In this case, the adverb
modifies another adverb.
6.Preposition- is a word that shows the connection
between a noun or pronoun and another word in a
sentence. They describe the relationship in terms of
sequence, space, and logic.
The apple is on the table. "on" indicates the connection
between "apple" and "table."
She took notes during the meeting. "during" indicates
the connection between "notes" and "meeting."
6.1Prepositions of Time - show the relationship of
time between the nouns and the other parts of a
sentence.
He bought a car last year. "last" indicates the time
connection between the subject and the act of buying
a "car."
School starts on Monday. We will arrive at noon.
6.2Prepositions of Place -is a preposition that is used
to describe the location of something or someone.
I am at home. "at" indicates the location of the
subject.
She knocked at the door. The bill is in my wallet.
6.3.Prepositions of Direction- describe how a person
or thing moves or is directed with respect to other
people and things.
Samira went to the mall. -"to" shows the movement of
the subject from one place to another.
The school is across the bank. She came home from
school.
7. Conjunction - is a word that links other words,
phrases, or clauses together. Conjunctions can be
classified as coordinating, subordinating, or
correlative.
7.1Coordinating Conjunction- connect words, phrases,
and sentences that are equivalent or coordinate.
Samira and Aaron are classmates.-"and" here functions
as a coordinating conjunction.
The food was delicious but expensive. "but" above
connects two adjectives: "delicious" and "expensive."
There are seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and,
nor, but, or, yet, so.
7.2Subordinating Conjunction- connect independent
clauses to dependent clauses.
She started reading when she was five. "when" above
connects two clauses: the independent clause and the
dependent clause.
Independent clause –can stand alone.
Dependent clause – cannot stand alone.
Let's stay until the show is over. -"until" here functions
as a subordinating conjunction.
Here are some of the commonly used subordinating
conjunctions: after, although, as, as if, as soon as,
because, in order that, since, than, though ,till ,unless,
when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, while
7.3 Correlative Conjunctions -are used in pairs to
connect words, phrases, and clauses.
Both Samira and Aaron were there.-"both" and "and"
here function as correlative conjunctions.
Either Samira or Aaron will continue the report. -
"either" and "or" are used in pairs and function as
correlative conjunctions.
Not only the staff but also the president joined the
meeting.- "not only" and "but also" are used in pairs
and function as correlative conjunctions.
8. Interjection - are words or phrases that
communicate emotion or exclamation.An interjection
has no grammatical relationship with any other word
in the sentence.
Yay! We won the game.
The interjection used in the sentence above is "Yay!",
which expresses excitement.
 ENGLISH 8 – FIRST QUARTER
Cheers! You did very well.
The interjection used in the sentence above is
"Cheers!", which expresses joy.
8.1 Some interjections are capable of standing on their
own. As long as the emotion attributed to these
interjections is appropriate for the situation, they are
acceptable.
Awesome! Wow! - amazement and excitement.
Yes! Absolutely! Okay! -different levels of
agreement.
8.2. Some interjections are derived from the sounds
associated with the emotions they evoke.
Ugh! Grrr! - annoyance and anger.
Awww! Ouch! - displeasure or pain.
8.3.Some interjections can be used to introduce a
sentence, but the sentence can still make sense
without them.
Hello! How are you? "Hello!" introduces the sentence,
"How are you?"
Hey! You look good today. - "Hey!" introduces the
sentence, "You look good today."
Some of the Commonly Used Interjections
Bravo!,Aha!,Eureka!,Hurray!,Gee,Phew!,Oh!, Ah!
LESSON 2: TENSES OF VERBS
2.1 Simple Verb Tenses - describe actions without
specifically stating whether the actions are completed or
ongoing.
2.1.1Simple Past Tense – it indicates an action that
was started and ended in the past.
Clues in time:Yesterday,Last week,Few minutes ago,
Earlier,
An English verb can be regular OR irregular.
Examples : Brush - Brushed,Cook - Cooked Open -
Opened,
Note : Regular verbs ending in “consonant” form their
past tense by adding–ed and adding the last letter of
the word and –ed at the end.
Close - Closed ,Taste -Tasted , Smile -Smiled, Care -
Cared
Note :Regular verbs ending in “e” form their past tense
by adding –d at the end.
Apply – Applied,Carry -Carried,Bully -Bullied
Note :Regular verbs ending in “y” form their past and
past participle forms by changing y into –ied, end of
the verb.
Write - Wrote ,Break - Broke Bring - Brought
Note : Irregular verbs form their past tense in different
patterns.
Cut -Cut, Hit – Hit, Beat – Beat, Cost – Cost, Hurt - Hurt
Note : Some Irregular verbs don’t change in their past
tense form
Examples used in the sentences:
Carla dropped her cellphone on the floor.
She forgot to do her assignment.
2.1.2 Simple Present Tense- it indicates an action that
is still happening.In simple present tense, the verb ends
with /s/ /es/ /none/
Danny catches the ball. Maria writes a letter to a friend.
They catch the ball.
2.1.3 Simple Future Tense- – it indicates an action
that is about to happen in the future.
Clues: Soon,Tomorrow,Later,Someday
Next time/day/week/month/year
After few minutes/few hours/ few days
In simple future tense, use the word “will” or “shall”
and the verb must not be changed.
My dad will be late at work. Hanna shall see you
soon.
Negative sentences: (not) She will not return what she
stole.
Let’s try using a shortcut.Will + Not = Won’t
Examples used in the sentences:
I won’t let you hurt me. Our best friend won’t tell a lie
on us.
2.2. Progressive Verb Tenses – show continuous or
repeated action. – on-going action
2.2.1 Past Progressive Tense =Helping verb
(was/were) + main verb + -ing
✔ A past activity in progress while another activity
occurred.
At 6:00 yesterday I was eating dinner.
✔ Two past activities in progress at the same time.
While I was answering the phone, my wife was cooking
dinner.
2.2.2 Present Progressive Tense =Helping verb
(am/is/are) + main verb + -ing
✔ A planned activity.
Sofia is starting school at BSANHS tomorrow.
✔ An activity that is occurring right now.
Jan is watching TV right now.
✔ An activity that is in progress, although not
actually occurring at the time of speaking.
Sara is learning English at TSU
2.2.3 Future Progressive Tense = will be + main verb +
-ing
✔ An activity that will be in progress.
Tomorrow Sam will be studying for the test on
English.
Next week, I will be going to Cebu.
I will be visiting my Grandmother later.
LESSON 3: Phrases, Clauses and Sentences
A phrase is a group of words meaning something.
A phrase is any group of related words that has no
subject predicate combination.
The words in a phrase act together so that the phrase
itself functions as a single part of speech.
 ENGLISH 8 – FIRST QUARTER

For example, some phrases act as nouns, some as verbs, noun include prepositional phrases, adjective
some as adjectives or adverbs. clauses, participle phrases, and infinitives
Remember that phrases cannot stand alone as sentences. Example:
Kinds of Phrase The spotted puppy is up for adoption.
a.) Prepositional Phrase- Each prepositional phrase (Noun phrase as a subject)
begins with a preposition (in, of, by, from, for, I want a cute puppy for Christmas.
etc.) and includes a noun or pronoun that is the (Noun phrase as an object to the verb "want")
object of the preposition. LESSON 4: MODALS
E.g. in the room, from the teacher, by the river Modal Verbs are auxiliary or helping verbs which modify
Adjectives -The woman in the trench coat pulled or change the meaning of the main verbs. You use modal
out her cellular phone. ( The prepositional phrase verbs in giving advice or suggestions, in making requests,
here acts as an adjective describing the noun or in giving predictions and prohibitions.
woman.) List of Modal Verbs with sample sentences:
Adverbs-Most of the audience snoozed during the
tedious performance. ( The prepositional phrase
USE Modal Sample Sentence
here acts as an adverb modifying the verb snoozed.)
b.) Phrases Containing Verbals really certain will, shall, must Jahna’s debut party will
Participial Phrase -begin with a past or present won’t/will not, be planned
participle and is followed by its objects and shan’t/shall secretly.
modifiers not, can’t/cannot
used as adjectives. very likely Should The traffic is not heavy.
Example: ought to We should be there
Sniffing the fresh air, Jim realized he had found before
paradise.( In the preceding sentence, the present
participle sniffing introduces the participial phrase, Possibility May, might, could It may rain today.
which includes the participle’s object (air) and its Strong Must,have to, The plan must be
modifiers (the, fresh). This participial phrase acts as obligation need to accomplished without
an adjective modifying the subject of the sentence her
(Jim).)
weak should, ought to I should see a dentist. I
The soldiers, trapped by the enemy, threw down
obligation have a bad breath even
their guns.( Here, the past participle trapped though I brush my teeth
introduces the participial phrase trapped by the regularly.
enemy. The entire phrase acts as an adjective
modifying the subject of the sentence (soldiers). no needn’t/need not I need not brush my
Notice the phrase-within-a-phrase here. By the obligation don’t need to/ teeth now. I will just do
do not need to, it later.
enemy is a prepositional phrase modifying the
don’t have to/
participle trapped. Remember that phrases can act
do not have to
as modifiers in other phrases)
Gerund Phrase- At first, it may look like a participial permission can, may, could, May I borrow your pen?
phrase because gerund phrases begin with the -ing might
form of a verb (riding, seeing, talking, etc.) and have
no can’t/ cannot, may You cannot go out
objects and modifiers. But a gerund phrase always permission not, without a quarantine
acts as a noun in a sentence, not as an adjective. It must not pass.
can serve as the subject of a sentence, the object of a
verb or preposition, or the complement of a linking offer will, shall I will bring your things
verb. here.
Example: request will, would, could Will you open the
Riding the black stallion terrified Hugo.( The gerund windows?
phrase Riding the black stallion acts as a noun and is
the subject of the verb terrified.) promise Will I will come back after
sunset.
The police officer reported seeing the suspect.(The
gerund phrase seeing the suspect is the direct object decision Will I will eat now.
of the verb reported. Notice that the entire phrase,
not just the word suspect, is the direct object.) advice and shall, should, You should wear
suggestion shouldn’t/ appropriate attire for
Noun Phrase- are groups of words that function like a
should not your
noun. Typically, they act as subjects, objects, or job interview.
prepositional objects in a sentence. Noun phrases are
simply nouns with modifiers. Just as nouns can act as ability can, could The students can sing
subjects, objects, and prepositional objects, so can harmoniously.
noun phrases. The modifier can come before or after general truth can, may We can avoid the
the noun. If it comes before the noun it's likely to be truth COVID-19 by following
an article, possessive noun, possessive pronoun, health protocols.
adjective, or participle. Modifiers that come after the
 ENGLISH 8 – FIRST QUARTER
LESSON 5: CONTEXT CLUES
Context clues are words that appear in sentences to
help understand the meanings of difficult words.
Context clues are of different types:
1. Definition or restatement - the unfamiliar word is
defined in a sentence .
Example : A treasure hunter is a person who searches
for treasures from sunken ships and ancient tombs to
obtain valuable relics and artifacts.
(treasure hunter definition: a person who searches for
treasures)
2. Synonyms- a similar word is placed in the same
sentence to know the meaning of the unfamiliar word.
Example : It is common for Filipinos to feel compassion
or pity for the suffering of their fellowmen.
(synonym of compassion : pity)
3. Antonyms- an opposite word is placed in the same
sentence.
Example: Among the siblings of thin body structure, Isabel
is the only one who is portly.(antonym of portly : thin)
4.Example- samples are provided in the sentence to
understand the meaning of the unfamiliar word
Example : In ancient times, some of our forefathers
believed in amulets, such as pearl of the crocodile, pearl of
the ax, bullet necklace, and bag of herbs to protect them
from harm.(Amulets examples: pearl of the crocodile, pearl
of the ax, bullet necklace, bag of herbs)
5. Inference or inferring meaning- to understand the
meaning of the unknown word, one has to make a guess
based on the description given in the sentence
Example : When one shows belligerence, harsh words,
disruptive actions, and offensive behaviors can be
observed.(belligerence: harsh words, disruptive action,
offensive behavior)
LESSON 6: “THE STORY OF THE AGED MOTHER”
 A Japanese Folktale written by MATSUO BASHO.
 He was recognized as the greatest master of Haiku.
Summary
Long, long ago there lived at the foot of the
mountain a poor farmer and his aged, widowed mother.
They owned a bit of land which supplied them with food, and
they were humble, peaceful, and happy.
Shinano 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 of
abandoning old people 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.
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 re-crossed by many
paths made by the hunters and woodcutters. In some places,
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.”
The eyes of the old mother were not so dim but that
they noted the reckless hastening from one path to another,
and her loving heart grew anxious. Her son did not know the
mountain’s many paths and his return might be one of
danger, so she stretched forth her hand and snapping the
twigs from brushes as they passed, she quietly dropped a
handful every few steps of the way so that as they climbed,
the narrow path behind them was dotted at frequent
intervals with tiny piles of twigs. At last the summit was
reached. Weary and heart sick, the youth gently released his
burden and silently prepared a place of comfort as his last
duty to the loved one. Gathering fallen pine needles, he
made a soft cushion and tenderly lifted his old mother onto
it. He rapped her padded coat more closely about the
stooping shoulders and with tearful eyes and an aching heart
he said farewell.
The trembling mother’s voice was full of unselfish
love as she gave her last injunction. “Let not thine eyes be
blinded, my son.” She said. “The mountain road is full of
dangers. LOOK carefully and follow the path which holds the
piles of twigs. They will guide you to the familiar path farther
down.” The son’s surprised eyes looked back over the path,
then at the poor old, shriveled hands all scratched and soiled
by their work of love. His heart broke within and bowing to
the ground, he cried aloud: “oh, Honorable mother, your
kindness breaks my heart! I will not leave you. Together we
will follow the path of twigs, and together we will die!”
Once more he shouldered his burden (how light it
seemed now) and hastened down the path, through the
shadows and the moonlight, to the little hut in the valley.
Beneath the kitchen floor was a walled closet for food,
which was covered and hidden from view. There the son
hid his mother, supplying her with everything she needed,
continually watching and fearing she would be discovered.
Time passed, and he was beginning to feel safe when again
the governor sent forth heralds bearing an unreasonable
order, seemingly as a boast of his power. His demand was
that his subjects should present him with a rope of ashes.
The entire province trembled with dread. The order
must be obeyed yet who in all Shining could make a rope of
ashes? One night, in great distress, the son whispered the
news to his hidden mother. “Wait!” she said. “I will think. I
will think” On the second day she told him what to do.
“Make rope of twisted straw,” she said. “Then stretch it
upon a row of flat stones and burn it on a windless night.”
He called the people together and did as she said and when
the blaze died down, there upon the stones, with every twist
and fiber showing perfectly, lay a rope of ashes.
The governor was pleased at the wit of the youth
and praised greatly, but he demanded to know where he had
obtained his wisdom. “Alas! Alas!” cried the farmer, “the
truth must be told!” and with deep bows he related his
story. The governor listened and then meditated in silence.
Finally he lifted his head. “Shining needs more than strength
 ENGLISH 8 – FIRST QUARTER

of youth,” he said gravely. “Ah, that I should have forgotten

the well-known saying, “with the crown of snow, there
cometh wisdom!” That very hour the cruel law was abolished,
and custom drifted into as far a past that only legends remain.