作品Free Graded Reading
がちゃがちゃThe Insect Concert
Gacha Gacha
by 夢野 久作 · Yumeno Kyūsaku
An insect concert is ruined by a loud beetle.
About this story
About this storyInsects hold a moonlit concert until an angry horsefly crashes the party.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in JapaneseSource
SourceThis text comes from Aozora Bunko (青空文庫), the volunteer-run library of Japanese writing that is out of copyright. See this work on Aozora Bunko
Base edition (底本): 「夢野久作全集7」三一書房
1970（昭和45）年1月31日第1版第1刷発行
1992（平成4）年2月29日第1版第12刷発行
Typed in by 川山隆. Proofread by 土屋隆.
Yomimaru has not changed the spelling or the wording.
The furigana are Yomimaru's.
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.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 蟋蟀 | cricket |
|---|---|
| 鈴虫 | bell cricket |
| 轡虫 | bell cricket (or a type of katydid) |
| 合奏会 | concert (ensemble) |
| 露 | 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.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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