ケネスのとんとん英文速読教室
目次
- Their Graduation Trip -卒業旅行の思い出
- A Real Japanese Man -本当のニッポン男子
- His Tremendous Kindness -”究極”の親切
- The Spirit of Challenging Something -このチャレンジ精神
- The Popularity of Brown University -ブラウン大学の人気の秘密
- The Shower and the Bucket -シャワーと風呂桶
- A Girl's Death -ある少女の死
- "Teki Juku" -適塾の青春
- My Unforgettable Musical Experience -忘れ得ぬ音楽体験
"Their Graduation Trip" － 卒業旅行の思い出
いつだって、僕たちは仲間だった。足のけがなど、僕たちみなにまかせておけ。
イラスト 西岡周造
When Hitoshi Yoshioka was in the 11th grade of Ichikawa Senior High School in Chiba, his class decided that they would go to Kyushu for their graduation trip. Hitoshi looked forward to it very much but four days before the class was to leave for Kyushu, he seriously hurt his foot in physical education class. Hitoshi was rushed to the hospital and the doctor took X-rays. Hitoshi had broken bones in his foot and his foot had to be put in a plaster cast. He had to walk with crutches and when he told his doctor that he wanted to go to Kyushu with his classmates, the doctor said, "No, that is not a good idea. It will take longer for your foot to heal if you go on that trip."
---そして、その翌日...
Hitoshi went to school the next day with a heavy heart and told his homeroom teacher, Mr. Shimizu that he would not be able to go on the trip to Kyushu. Hitoshi's best friend, Akira Kaji, was standing nearby and heard Hitoshi's conversation with Mr. Shimizu. Akira rushed up to them and said, "Yoshioka, let's go on the trip. This graduation trip is important for all of us. We have been class- mates for three years and this trip will be the last time we can all travel together. Let's go." Hitoshi Yoshioka said, "I'd like to go but I know that it would mean so much trouble for so many people. First of all I won't be able to carry my own bags. Someone else must do it. Also, I won't be able to walk very fast. I must always walk slowly and it will mean all the students must wait for me." After a pause Hitoshi said, "Everyone has his own work to do on the trip and I won't be able to do my share. So it's better if I don't go."
---うれしかった、アキラのひとこと
Akira still didn't give up. He said, "Yoshioka, if you don't go, it means that we are not a complete group. We've been together as a class, so we want to remember this graduation trip as a real group trip with everyone participating in it. Let's go." Hitoshi felt glad that Akira Kaji was such a good friend and so encouraging. But Hitoshi also didn't want to be a heavy burden to his friends. He didn't want to cause any trouble but at the same time he wanted to go very much. Akira Kaji's next words deeply moved Hitoshi. Akira said, "Yo- shioka, let's go. Don't worry about your bags, don't worry about your jobs. We'll all help you and we'll do them for you because we want you to go. Yoshioka, I'll take you with us, even if I have to carry you on my back !" Hitoshi was deeply moved. He said, "Okay, I'll ask my doctor once more if I can go." Hitoshi went to the hospital and consulted his doctor, who said that Hitoshi could go if he took his medicine and was very careful.
----さあ、九州へ出発
Hitosh{ Yoshioka went on the graduation trip. His classmates carried his bags, they waited for him and Akira Kaji helped to lift him onto the bus and carried him on his back when they had to go up the steep stairs of the temples. Hitoshi knew that he had caused his classmates a lot of trouble but he also was deeply thankful that he had classmates who took care of him. Hitoshi Yoshioka is a college student now. He told me that he couldn't forget Akira's words, and I too felt deeply moved by the love and friendship behind Akira's words, "Let's go. I'll take you even if I have to carry you on my back."
