Final answer:
Maibon's receipt of a stone from the Fair Folk symbolizes his wish to avoid aging, not to amass wealth or mark deterioration on his farm. Stones in literature often carry symbolic weight, representing permanence, memorialization, or societal structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Maibon receives a stone from the Fair Folk in "The Stone," it symbolizes his desire to avoid aging. This event does not symbolize wealth for Maibon and his family, the breakdown of things on his farm, or a sign of growing old and feeble. Instead, the stone represents Maibon's wish to be free from the natural cycle of aging, an aspect of life that is inevitable and ultimately necessary for the continuity of experiences and growth.
Stones and their significance are recurring themes in literature and lore, often used to symbolize stability, permanence, and memorialization. For instance, in the provided excerpts, stones indicate a boundary, weightiness of the past as in memorials and grave markers, and sometimes even wealth and social structure as seen through ancient monuments. Yet, in the case of Maibon, the stone he receives serves as a metaphor for the futility of his desire to remain youthful.