Most of Japanese really love fairy tales. Because we read so many times with parents in childhood.
And the fairy tale still continues to be read from one generation to another.
Today let me share famous fairy tale with picture book. Let's try to read it.
This article was produced by General Incorporated Association of International Digital E-hon.
Once upon a time, there lived a very poor, old couple.
One cold snowy day, the old man went to town to sell firewood, and on his way home he found a crane struggling in a trap.
"Oh dear, you poor thing! Let me set you free, and be careful never to get caught again."
The old man said as he kindly let the crane go.
Several days later on another snowy night, the old man heard a knock on his door.
When he opened the door, he found a young girl standing there.
" I got lost in this snow. Could I please stay here just for tonight?"
she asked.
" You certainly can. Now, come right in and rest."
replied the old man.
From that day the girl lived with the old couple as their grand-daughter.
She said to them one day,
"I want to weave at the loom. But please promise me you will never watch me weave."
Ton-ton karari, ton-karari,ton-ton karari, ton-karari
The rhythmical sound of weaving kept on and on and never stopped from early morning until late at night behind closed doors.
After several days had passed, the girl came out of the room with a roll of woven cloth.
It was the most beautiful cloth the old couple had ever seen.
" Please sell this in town, Grandpa. It should bring a good price."
The people in town admired the beauty of the cloth and it was sold at a surprisingly high price.
Being so pleased with the result, the old couple asked the girl to weave another roll of cloth.
A few days later the girl came out of the room looking very tired and said,
" I can not weave any more. "
The cloth having been sold at a high price again, however, the old couple requested the girl to weave one more roll.
" I will, but I beg you this really must be the last one."
Ton-ton karari, ton-karari,ton-ton karari, ton-karari.
The continuing sound of weaving made the old couple very curious.
" How could she weave such beautiful cloth, I wonder.
Why don't we take just a peep at her?"
They forgot the girl's warning never to watch her and peered into the room.
They were startled by what they saw!
There was a crane weaving at the loom using its own feathers.
They were so shocked, they shut the sliding door in a hurry.
The next day the girl came out of the room with a roll of cloth in her arms.
" You didn't listen to me. You watched me weave.
Yes, I am the crane Grandpa saved.
Now that you have seen what I really am, I can not live with you any longer.
I must leave you now."
Just as she spoke, she transformed herself into the crane ….
a shabby, skinny crane with missing feathers. Then the crane gave one long cry as it flew away.
The end
Is there any similar story in your country? Some fairy tales were introduced by other countries and mixed with own culture. I hope that you enjoy reading famous fairy tale.
What do you think of this fairy tale?
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