Respect for the Aged Day Story: The Wise Old Woman
A traditional Japanese story for elementary students to read aloud on Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi). Includes beats, characters, and questions.
- Lengths
- 324w · 588w · 993w
- Aloud
- 2 min · 5 min · 8 min
- Beats
- 8 to retell from
- After it
- 4 questions · 4 words
Minasan, ohayou gozaimasu. Today is Respect for the Aged Day, Keiro no Hi. I would like to tell you a traditional Japanese story about the deep wisdom of our elders and why we must honor them.
Then: Let us all express our sincere thanks to our grandmothers, grandfathers, and senior citizens today. Happy Respect for the Aged Day!
The moralTrue wisdom comes from a lifetime of experience, and we must always love, honor, and protect our elders.
The beats, to tell it from memory
Hide them, then tell the story beat by beat. Tap a card to check you had it right.
The characters, and a voice for each
Questions after the story
Ask, wait for three hands, then tap for a model answer.
Words from the text
An official order or law given by a ruler.
Serious and immediate danger.
Filled with overwhelming surprise or wonder.
To officially put an end to a rule, law, or custom.
So the room leans in
Worth knowing
- Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi) is a national holiday in Japan celebrated on the third Monday of September.
- The holiday originated in 1947 in Nomadani-mura, Hyogo Prefecture, as Old Folks Day to seek guidance after World War II.
- Japanese elementary school students celebrate by writing cards, making handmade gifts, and performing songs or dances for elders.
- Traditional Japanese folktales (mukashi banashi) highlight the wisdom, kindness, and experience of senior citizens.
- The story of The Wise Old Woman shows how a village was saved from danger through the careful advice of an elderly mother.
- Expressing gratitude (kansha) and wishing elders long life (chouju) are central values taught during school events.
Where it is told, and why
Today is Respect for the Aged Day, known in Japan as Keiro no Hi. This page gives you a traditional Japanese folktale called The Wise Old Woman to read aloud or present to your class. It shows how the wisdom and life experience of our elders protect and guide the entire community.
You can choose from three different text lengths depending on how much time you have. The short version works well for a quick reading, while the standard and long versions give you more details to share. Use the beats to practice telling the story from memory, or follow the delivery tips to sound confident and expressive.
About this piece
- Respect for the Aged Day is a national holiday in Japan celebrated on the third Monday of September.
- The holiday began in 1947 in a Japanese village to seek guidance from elders after World War II.
- Students across Japan celebrate by writing thank-you cards and performing songs or stories for grandparents.
- Traditional Japanese folktales, or mukashi banashi, often teach lessons about honoring elders and valuing their wisdom.
- This traditional tale shows how a wise elderly mother saved her entire province by solving difficult riddles.
How it is done
- Students in Japan open their storytelling with a polite seasonal greeting and a respectful bow before sharing traditional tales.