ABSTRACT
What is an elder? I have heard that question posed by friends of every age, disposition and ethnicity. What constitutes elderhood? How will I know it when I get there, if I get there, or am I there? Is it a question that needs asking? Is it a question of who or what or where? Does the answer transcend the question? Perhaps, in quest of elderhood, we are wise to begin in that which itself transcends apprehension, a good story, from a reteller of tales:
Once upon a Japanese moment, two mature frogs, one living in Osaka and one living in Kyoto, happened upon the same thought at the same time. Both felt a need to get out and see a bit of the country. Surely there was much more to life than the small creek home in Osaka or the winding ditch in Kyoto. And so both creatures, in 224the same moment, set out for a visit to the other’s town. It was indeed a long and arduous journey but in good time both frogs reached the mountain which separated their respective villages. Both frogs climbed slowly to the top of the mountain and there introduced themselves to the other. They stretched out luxuriously on the shaded green grass, cooled their round frog bellies and passed the time of day.
“You know this travelling is a difficult matter, being frogs and all,” complained the frog from Osaka.
“I have an idea, my friend!” suggested the frog from Kyoto. “Why don’t we both stand up on our tippy toes, supporting each other the while, and each study the objects of our destination from this mountain top?”
They did just that, standing as tall as possible, holding on to the other, and each staring off into the intended horizon.
“Nothing new there,” grumbled the frog from Kyoto.
“Yes,” agreed the frog from Osaka, “your town of Kyoto is really no different than my own village…might as well return home!”
And so both frogs, believing that the object of their travel was no different than the town they were leaving, shook hands and bowed each to the other and returned home. All the length of their days they each believed it. However, what we must remember is that the eyes of frogs are situated well back on their heads. Although each thought that they were looking ahead to their destination, each was only looking back to the town they had left. In fact, Kyoto and Osaka are as different as can be. (Lang, 1951, p. 213)
