作品Free Graded Reading
がちゃがちゃThe Insect Concert
Gacha Gacha
by 夢野 久作 · Yumeno Kyūsaku
JLPT N2Short StoryQuiz ready
An insect concert is ruined by a loud beetle.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnInsects gather and decide to hold a concert for the moon. They play beautifully, and the moon rewards them with dew. However, a beetle barges in, disrupts the concert with loud noise, and scares the others away. While boasting alone, he is caught by humans.
Language difficultyIntermediate · 55/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 蟋蟀 (こおろぎ) | cricket |
|---|---|
| 鈴虫 (すずむし) | bell cricket |
| 轡虫 (くつわむし) | bell cricket (or a type of katydid) |
| 合奏会 (がっそうかい) | concert (ensemble) |
| 露 (つゆ) | dew |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～ようではありませんか N3Volitional + ではありませんか: 'Shall we...?' or 'Why don't we...?' (suggesting an action).みんなで合奏会をやってお月様にきかせようではありませんか。
- ～てしまう N4Indicates an action is completed, often with a nuance of regret or finality.せっかく始めた静かな美しい音楽会がメチャメチャになってしまいました。
- ～ておやりになる N3Honorific form of ～てあげる: 'does something for someone' (respectful).虫たちが大好きな露をたくさんにそこいらの草の上に撒いておやりになりました。
- ～うちに N3While doing something; during the course of; 'while...'.とたった一人一所懸命にやっているうちに、
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- 十五夜 (Jūgoya)The 15th night of the lunar month, especially in autumn, celebrated with moon-viewing (tsukimi). People offer rice dumplings and seasonal flowers to the moon.
- 虫の音 (Mushi no ne)The sound of insects is a traditional symbol of autumn in Japan, often appreciated in poetry and literature. Insects like crickets and bell crickets are associated with melancholy and beauty.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat did the cricket propose to the other insects?
- To have a contest to see who can sing the loudest.
- To hold a concert for the moon.
- To build a nest together.
- To find food before winter.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to onomatopoeia (e.g., パチパチ, ガチャガチャ) which are often used in Japanese to describe sounds and actions vividly.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese草の中で虫が寄り合って相談を始めました。蟋蟀が立ち上って、「鈴虫さん、オケラさん、スイッチョさん。もっとこちらへお寄りなさい。だんだん涼しくなりますから、みんなで合奏会をやってお月様にきかせようではありませんか。きっと御ほうびを下さいますよ」と言いますと、皆パチパチと手をたたきました。虫たちはそれからすぐに合奏を始めました。まずスイッチョが草の天辺へ立ち上って真面目腐って、「スイッチョ、スイッチョ」と合図をしますと、オケラが土くれの蔭に坐ってしずかなこえで「リ――リリ――」と羽根を鳴らします。それにつづいて蟋蟀が草の根本から涼しい声で、「チンチロリン、チンチロリン」とうたい出します。その中へ鈴虫が又やさしい長いひげをふりまわしながら、「リーン、リーン、リーン」と鈴の音をさせます。
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