The Son

By Hermann Hesse
Directions: Read the short story. Answer the questions. Refer to the text to check your answers when appropriate.

Timid and weeping, the boy had attended his mother's Troubled, Siddhartha looked into his friendly face, in the
funeral; gloomy and shy, he had listened to Siddhartha, who many wrinkles of which there was incessant4 cheerfulness.
greeted him as his son and welcomed him at his place in
"How could I part with him?" he said quietly, ashamed.
Vasudeva's hut. Pale, he sat for many days by the hill of the
"Give me some more time, my friend! See, I'm fighting for
dead, did not want to eat, gave no open look, did not open his
him, I'm seeking to win his heart, with love and with friendly
heart, met his fate with resistance and denial.
patience I intend to capture it. One day, the river shall also
Siddhartha spared him and let him do as he pleased, he talk to him, he also is called upon."
honoured his mourning. Siddhartha understood that his son
Vasudeva's smile flourished more warmly. "Oh yes, he too is
did not know him, that he could not love him like a father.
called upon, he too is of the eternal life. But do we, you and
Slowly, he also saw and understood that the eleven-year-old
me, know what he is called upon to do, what path to take,
was a pampered boy, a mother's boy, and that he had grown
what actions to perform, what pain to endure? Not a small
up in the habits of rich people, accustomed to finer food, to a
one, his pain will be; after all, his heart is proud and hard,
soft bed, accustomed to giving orders to servants. Siddhartha
people like this have to suffer a lot, err a lot, do much
understood that the mourning, pampered child could not
injustice, burden themselves with much sin. Tell me, my
suddenly and willingly be content with a life among
friend: you're not taking control of your son's upbringing?
strangers and in poverty. He did not force him, he did many a
You don't force him? You don't beat him? You don't punish
chore for him, always picked the best piece of the meal for
him?"
him. Slowly, he hoped to win him over, by friendly patience.
"No, Vasudeva, I don't do anything of this."
Rich and happy, he had called himself, when the boy had
come to him. Since time had passed on in the meantime, and "I knew it. You don't force him, don't beat him, don't give
the boy remained a stranger and in a gloomy disposition1, him orders, because you know that 'soft' is stronger than
since he displayed a proud and stubbornly disobedient heart, 'hard', Water stronger than rocks, love stronger than force.
did not want to do any work, did not pay his respect to the Very good, I praise you. But aren't you mistaken in thinking
old men, stole from Vasudeva's fruit-trees, then Siddhartha that you wouldn't force him, wouldn't punish him? Don't you
began to understand that his son had not brought him shackle him with your love? Don't you make him feel
happiness and peace, but suffering and worry. But he loved inferior every day, and don't you make it even harder on him
him, and he preferred the suffering and worries of love over with your kindness and patience? Don't you force him, the
happiness and joy without the boy. Since young Siddhartha arrogant and pampered boy, to live in a hut with two old
was in the hut, the old men had split the work. Vasudeva had banana-eaters, to whom even rice is a delicacy, whose
again taken on the job of the ferryman2 all by himself, and thoughts can't be his, whose hearts are old and quiet and beat
Siddhartha, in order to be with his son, did the work in the in a different pace than his? Isn't forced, isn't he punished by
hut and the field. all this?"
For a long time, for long months, Siddhartha waited for his Troubled, Siddhartha looked to the ground. Quietly, he
son to understand him, to accept his love, to perhaps asked: "What do you think should I do?"
reciprocate3 it. For long months, Vasudeva waited, Quoth Vasudeva: "Bring him into the city, bring him into his
watching, waited and said nothing. One day, when mother's house, there'll still be servants around, give him to
Siddhartha the younger had once again tormented his father them. And when they aren't any around any more, bring him
very much with spite and an unsteadiness in his wishes and to a teacher, not for the teachings' sake, but so that he shall
had broken both of his rice-bowls, Vasudeva took his friend be among other boys, and among girls, and in the world
aside in the evening and talked to him. which is his own. Have you never thought of this?"
"Pardon me." he said, "from a friendly heart, I'm talking to "You're seeing into my heart," Siddhartha spoke sadly.
you. I'm seeing that you are tormenting yourself, I'm seeing "Often, I have thought of this. But look, how shall I put him,
that you're in grief. Your son, my friend, is worrying you, who had no tender heart anyhow, into this world? Won't he
and he is also worrying me. That young bird is accustomed become exuberant5, won't he lose himself to pleasure and
to a different life, to a different nest. He has not, like you, ran power, won't he repeat all of his father's mistakes, won't he
away from riches and the city, being disgusted and fed up perhaps get entirely lost in Sansara?"
with it; against his will, he had to leave all this behind. I
asked the river, oh friend, many times I have asked it. But
Vocabulary
the river laughs, it laughs at me, it laughs at you and me, and
is shaking with laughter at out foolishness. Water wants to 1. disposition: mood
join water, youth wants to join youth, your son is not in the 2. ferryman: carries people across a river or body of water in a boat
place where he can prosper. You too should ask the river; 3. reciprocate: to give something in return or response
4. incessant: without pause; unending, to the point of annoyance
you too should listen to it!"
5. exuberant: high-spirited; extremely energetic and enthusiastic
Brightly, the ferryman's smile lit up; softly, he touched He did sense very well that this love, this blind love for his
Siddhartha's arm and said: "Ask the river about it, my friend! son, was a passion, something very human, that it was
Hear it laugh about it! Would you actually believe that you Sansara, a murky source, dark waters. Nevertheless, he felt at
had committed your foolish acts in order to spare your son the same time, it was not worthless, it was necessary, came
from committing them too? And could you in any way from the essence of his own being. This pleasure also had to
protect your son from Sansara6? How could you? By means be atoned7 for, this pain also had to be endured, these foolish
of teachings, prayer, admonition? My friend, have you acts also had to be committed.
entirely forgotten that story, that story containing so many
Through all this, the son let him commit his foolish acts, let
lessons, that story about Siddhartha, a Brahman's son? Who
him court for his affection, let him humiliate himself every
has kept the Samana Siddhartha safe from Sansara, from sin,
day by giving in to his moods. This father had nothing which
from greed, from foolishness? Were his father's religious
would have delighted him and nothing which he would have
devotion, his teachers warnings, his own knowledge, his own
feared. He was a good man, this father, a good, kind, soft
search able to keep him safe? Which father, which teacher
man, perhaps a very devout8 man, perhaps a saint, none of
had been able to protect him from living his life for himself,
these were attributes which could win the boy over. He was
from soiling himself with life, from burdening himself with
bored by this father, who kept him prisoner here in this
guilt, from drinking the bitter drink for himself, from finding
miserable hut of his, he was bored by him, and for him to
his path for himself? Would you think, my dear friend,
answer every naughtiness with a smile, every insult with
anybody might perhaps be spared from taking this path? That
friendliness, every viciousness with kindness, this very thing
perhaps your little son would be spared, because you love
was the hated trick of this old sneak. Much more the boy
him, because you would like to keep him from suffering and
would have liked it if he had been threatened by him, if he
pain and disappointment? But even if you would die ten
had been abused by him.
times for him, you would not be able to take the slightest part
of his destiny upon yourself." A day came, when what young Siddhartha had on his mind
came bursting forth, and he openly turned against his father.
Never before, Vasudeva had spoken so many words. Kindly,
The latter had given him a task, he had told him to gather
Siddhartha thanked him, went troubled into the hut, could
brushwood. But the boy did not leave the hut, in stubborn
not sleep for a long time. Vasudeva had told him nothing that
disobedience and rage he stayed where he was, thumped on
he had not already thought and known for himself. But this
the ground with his feet, clenched his fists, and screamed in a
was a knowledge he could not act upon, stronger than the
powerful outburst his hatred and contempt9 into his father's
knowledge was his love for the boy, stronger was his
face.
tenderness, his fear to lose him. Had he ever lost his heart so
much to something, had he ever loved any person thus, thus "Get the brushwood for yourself!" he shouted foaming at the
blindly, thus sufferingly, thus unsuccessfully, and yet thus mouth, "I'm not your servant. I do know, that you won't hit
happily? me, you don't dare; I do know, that you constantly want to
punish me and put me down with your religious devotion and
Siddhartha could not heed his friend's advice, he could not
your indulgence10. You want me to become like you, just as
give up the boy. He let the boy give him orders, he let him
devout, just as soft, just as wise! But I, listen up, just to make
disregard him. He said nothing and waited; daily, he began
the mute struggle of friendliness, the silent war of patience. you suffer, I rather want to become a highway-robber and
Vasudeva also said nothing and waited, friendly, knowing, murderer, and go to hell, than to become like you! I hate you,
patient. They were both masters of patience. you're not my father!"

At one time, when the boy's face reminded him very much of Rage and grief boiled over in him, foamed at the father in a
hundred savage and evil words. Then the boy ran away and
Kamala, Siddhartha suddenly had to think of a line which
only returned late at night.
Kamala a long time ago, in the days of their youth, had once
said to him. "You cannot love," she had said to him, and he But the next morning, he had disappeared. What had also
had agreed with her and had compared himself with a star, disappeared was a small basket, woven out of bast of two
while comparing the childlike people with falling leaves, and colours, in which the ferrymen kept those copper and silver
nevertheless he had also sensed an accusation in that line. coins which they received as a fare. The boat had also
Indeed, he had never been able to lose or devote himself disappeared, Siddhartha saw it lying by the opposite bank.
completely to another person, to forget himself, to commit The boy had ran away.
foolish acts for the love of another person; never he had been
"I must follow him," said Siddhartha, who had been
able to do this, and this was, as it had seemed to him at that
shivering with grief since those ranting speeches, the boy had
time, the great distinction which set him apart from the
made yesterday. "A child can't go through the forest all
childlike people. But now, since his son was here, now he,
alone. He'll perish. We must build a raft, Vasudeva, to get
Siddhartha, had also become completely a childlike person,
over the water."
suffering for the sake of another person, loving another
person, lost to a love, having become a fool on account of Vocabulary
love. Now he too felt, late, once in his lifetime, this strongest
6. Sansara: chasing power and pleasure
and strangest of all passions, suffered from it, suffered
7. atone: to make amends
miserably, and was nevertheless in bliss, was nevertheless 8. devout: warmly devoted; hearty; sincere; earnest
renewed in one respect, enriched by one thing. 9. indulgence: tolerance; catering to someone's every desire
10. bast: a fibrous rope or cord
"We will build a raft," said Vasudeva, "to get our boat back, Kamala's song-bird in the cage, lived through all this once
which the boy has taken away. But him, you shall let run again, breathed Sansara, was once again old and tired, felt
along, my friend, he is no child any more, he knows how to once again disgust, felt once again the wish to annihilate
get around. He's looking for the path to the city, and he is himself, was once again healed by the holy Om12.
right, don't forget that. He's doing what you've failed to do
After having been standing by the gate of the garden for a
yourself. He's taking care of himself, he's taking his course.
long time, Siddhartha realised that his desire was foolish,
Alas, Siddhartha, I see you suffering, but you're suffering a
which had made him go up to this place, that he could not
pain at which one would like to laugh, at which you'll soon
help his son, that he was not allowed to cling him. Deeply,
laugh for yourself."
following the runaway son, there was now emptiness. Sadly,
Siddhartha did not answer. He already held the axe in his he sat down, felt something dying in his heart, experienced
hands and began to make a raft of bamboo, and Vasudeva emptiness, saw no joy any more, no goal. He sat lost in
helped him tie the canes together with ropes of grass. Then thought and waited. This he had learned by the river, this one
they crossed over, drifted far off their course, pulled the raft thing: waiting, having patience, listening attentively. And he
upriver on the opposite bank. sat and listened, in the dust of the road, listened to his heart,
beating tiredly and sadly,
"Why did you take the axe along?" asked Siddhartha.
That this wound did not blossom yet, did not shine yet, at
Vasudeva said: "It might have been possible that the oar of
this hour, made him sad. Instead of the desired goal, which
our boat got lost."
had drawn him here following the runaway son, there was
But Siddhartha knew what his friend was thinking. He now emptiness. Sadly, he sat down, felt something dying in
thought, the boy would have thrown away or broken the oar his heart, experienced emptiness, saw no joy any more, no
in order to get even and in order to keep them from following goal. He sat lost in thought and waited. This he had learned
him. And in fact, there was no oar left in the boat. Vasudeva by the river, this one thing: waiting, having patience,
pointed to the bottom of the boat and looked at his friend listening attentively. And he sat and listened, in the dust of
with a smile, as if he wanted to say: "Don't you see what the road, listened to his heart, beating tiredly and sadly,
your son is trying to tell you? Don't you see that he doesn't waited for a voice. Many an hour he crouched, listening, saw
want to be followed?" But he did not say this in words. He no images any more, fell into emptiness, let himself fall,
started making a new oar. But Siddhartha bid his farewell, to without seeing a path. And when he felt the wound burning,
look for the run-away. Vasudeva did not stop him. he silently spoke the Om, filled himself with Om. The monks
in the garden saw him, and since he crouched for many
When Siddhartha had already been walking through the
hours, and dust was gathering on his gray hair, one of them
forest for a long time, the thought occurred to him that his
came to him and placed two bananas in front of him. The old
search was useless. Either, so he thought, the boy was far
man did not see him.
ahead and had already reached the city, or, if he should still
be on his way, he would conceal himself from him, the From this petrified13 state, he was awoken by a hand
pursuer. As he continued thinking, he also found that he, on touching his shoulder. Instantly, he recognised this touch,
his part, was not worried for his son, he knew deep inside this tender, bashful touch, and regained his senses. He rose
that he had neither perished nor was in any danger in the and greeted Vasudeva, who had followed him. And when he
forest. Nevertheless, he ran without stopping, no longer to looked into Vasudeva's friendly face, into the small wrinkles,
save him, just to satisfy his desire, just to perhaps see him which were as if they were filled with nothing but his smile,
one more time. And he ran up to just outside of the city. into the happy eyes, then he smiled too. Now he saw the
bananas lying in front of him, picked them up, gave one to
When, near the city, he reached a wide road, he stopped, by
the ferryman, ate the other one himself. After this, he silently
the entrance of the beautiful pleasure-garden, which used to
went back into the forest with Vasudeva, returned home to
belong to Kamala, where he had seen her for the first time in
the ferry. Neither one talked about what had happened today,
her sedan-chair. The past rose up in his soul, again he saw
neither one mentioned the boy's name, neither one spoke
himself standing there, young, bearded, hair full of dust. For
about him running away, neither one spoke about the wound.
a long time, Siddhartha stood there and looked through the
In the hut, Siddhartha lay down on his bed, and when after a
open gate into the garden, seeing monks in yellow robes
while Vasudeva came to him, to offer him a bowl of
walking among the beautiful trees.
coconut-milk, he already found him asleep.
For a long time, he stood there, pondering, seeing images,
listening to the story of his life. For a long time, he stood
there, looked at the monks, saw young Siddhartha in their
place, saw young Kamala walking among the high trees.
Clearly, he saw himself being served food and drink by Vocabulary
Kamala, receiving his first kiss from her, looking proudly 11. Brahmanism: aspects of Hinduism as practiced by the Brahmin
and disdainfully back on his Brahmanism11, beginning caste of India
proudly and full of desire his worldly life. He saw the 12. Om: a sacred, mystical syllable used in prayer and meditation
servants, the gamblers with the dice, the musicians, saw 13. petrify: to become very rigid; to become like stone
 Name: ____________________________________
The Son | Reading Quiz
1. Which statement is false?
a. Siddhartha is poor and lives in a hut the woods. b. The boy's mother has passed away.
c. The boy grew up in a wealthy home with servants. d. Siddhartha has raised his son since infancy.

2. Which best describes how Siddhartha treats his son?

a. He is firm but loving. b. He is understanding and kind.
c. He is impatient and demanding. d. He is too busy working to give his son attention.

3. Which best describes Vesduva's position on the boy?

a. The boy needs discipline, so Siddhartha should treat him more firmly.
b. The boy doesn't work and he steals, so he should be sent to live elsewhere.
c. The boy has to experience life for himself, so Siddhartha should let him go.
d. The boy needs an education to succeed, so he should be sent to a teacher.

4. Which statement about the boy is false?

a. He is afraid of Vasudeva.
b. He makes Siddhartha happy.
c. He is disrespectful and ungrateful.
d. He is spoiled and troublesome.

5. What effect does Siddhartha's approach have on the boy?

a. It makes the boy laugh at his father's weakness. b. It makes the boy angry with his father.
c. It makes the boy sad about the way that he acted. d. It makes the boy concerned for his father's health.

6. Which character trait does not apply to Vesduva?

a. possessive b. patient c. tactful d. clever

7. Which is the correct sequence of events?

a. The boy runs away; Siddhartha stands by the garden and thinks; Vesduva tells his friend to listen to the river
b. Vesduva makes an oar for the boat; the boy runs away; the boy yells at his father
c. The boy yells at his father; the boy steals the boat; Siddhartha stands by the garden and thinks
d. The boy steals the boat; Vesduva tells his friend to listen to the river; the boy runs away

8. Which figurative language technique is used in the following?

"Your son is worrying you, and he is also worrying me. That young bird is accustomed to a different life, to a different nest."
a. Simile b. Metaphor
c. Personification d. Hyperbole

9. Which statement about Siddhartha is false?

a. He learns that he cannot protect his son. b. Siddhartha learns that love can be selfish.
c. He learns that children bring suffering and worry. d. He learns that children need structure and rules.

10. Based on how the story concludes, which would be most likely to occur next if the story were to continue?
a. Siddhartha would take his anger and grief out on Vesduva.
b. Siddhartha and Vesduva would continue living as they once did.
c. Siddhartha would search for his son with greater intensity.
d. Siddhartha and Vesduva would establish a list of rules for their hut in the woods.
Extended Response: Answer the following question in complete sentences on a separate sheet of paper.

What is a theme, message, or lesson that the author of this text is trying to communicate to the reader?
Put it into your own words and explain how this story attempts to teach this theme, message, or lesson to readers.
Support your argument with two examples from the text. Explain your argument completely.