作品Free Graded Reading
誰かSomeone
Dareka
by スティーブンソン ロバート・ルイス · Sutībunson Robāto Ruisu
JLPT N4Short StoryClassical / archaic
A mysterious 'someone' appears when children play in the meadow
What you'll learn
What you'll learnThe poem describes an unseen presence that comes when children are happy, sings with them in the field and under the trees, joins them in digging and playing with toys, and guards their toy box at night.
Language difficultyIntermediate · 40/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 原 (はら) | field, plain |
|---|---|
| こつそり (こっそり) | stealthily, secretly |
| 桂 (かつら) | Japanese Judas tree, or a type of tree |
| 錫 (すず) | tin, pewter |
| 番してる (ばんしている) | guarding, watching over |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- 時 (とき) N5Indicates 'when' or 'at the time of' an action or state.僕等が原にゐる時は、
- ～てくる N5Indicates movement towards the speaker or change over time.誰かこつそりやつて来る。
- ～けれど N4Conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however'.けれどきつとよ、やつて来る、
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Nature Spirits in Japanese FolkloreThis poem may invoke the concept of 'yōkai' or 'kami' that inhabit natural places. The unseen presence that joins children could be a friendly spirit like 'zashiki-warashi' or a nature deity, reflecting the Shinto belief in spirits dwelling in trees, fields, and objects.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionThe mysterious presence is visible to the children.
- True
- False
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipNote the repetitive structure: each stanza begins with a time clause using '時', which helps predict the pattern.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese僕等が原にいる時は、誰かこっそりやって来る。僕等がたのしくいる時は、誰か森からやって来る。誰だかちっともわからない、どんな姿かわからない。けれどきっとよ、やって来る、僕等がたのしくいる時は。桂のなかや草の上、僕等と一緒に歌う。僕等がたのしくいる時は、きっと誰だかそばにいる。僕等が穴をほる時は、その穴のなかもぐりこむ。僕等がおもちゃで遊ぶ時、錫の兵士とならんでる。僕等が毎晩ねる時は、おやすみよっくと必ずと言う。そして僕等がねてる時、おもちゃの箱の番してる。
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