The lord of a small village in Japan decrees that all people over the age of 71 must be banished to the mountains to die. The villagers are all upset, but must obey or be fearfully punished. A young farmer tries to take his mother, but loves her too much and so he hides her in his floor instead. Lord Higa wants to conquer the village and sends over the impossible task of making 1000 ropes out of ashes. No one can solve the riddle, until the farmer asks his mother, who tells him to soak a rope in saltwater and then burn it. The farmer tells the lord and saves the village. Lord Higa sends over two more tasks, one after another. The second task is to wind a piece of silk through a log with holes and curves, the mother solves this by telling the farmer to tie a piece of silk to an ant, and put some sugar at the end, the ant will lead the piece of silk through. The third task is to find a drum that sounds without being beaten. The mother tells the farmer to make a drum out of paper, and trap a bee within. When the bee tries to escape, it beats against the paper. The village is saved, and the lord asks the farmer how he knew the answers. The farmer confesses he is hiding his mother, and the lord realizes his mistake. He decrees that old people will not be banished and instead will be valued. Lord Higa decides such wise people should be allowed to live in peace. And they do.
