ジェミイの冐険Jemmy's Adventure

What you'll learn

Jemmy Freel, a dutiful son, lives with his mother. On Halloween, he decides to visit a nearby fairy castle. He joins the fairies on a magical ride to Dublin where they kidnap a sleeping princess. Jemmy cleverly steals the princess and brings her home, but a fairy curses her to be deaf and mute. Despite this, Jemmy's mother cares for her, and over a year she adapts to their life. The next Halloween, Jemmy returns to the castle, overhears the fairies discussing a cure, and boldly takes a cup with healing water. He gives the princess three drops, restoring her speech and hearing. She writes to her parents in Dublin, but they don't believe her. Jemmy and the princess walk to Dublin, and after convincing her parents, they marry and live happily.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～てしまう N4Indicates completion of an action, often with a nuance of regret or finality.
  妖精たちは失望してさってしまうと、ジェミイは家のかけ金をはずしてはいった。
• ～ている N5Indicates ongoing action or state.
  ジェミイは遠くから小さい人たちのすがたをながめ、美しい音樂をきいてしろの内部はどんなようすだろうと考えてみたりしたが、ある萬聖節の前夜、かれはぼうしを手にして母にいった。
• ～てあげる N4To do something for someone (giving benefit).
  みんなが代りばんこにおじょうさんを乗せているね、ぼくも、ちょっとでも乗せてあげたい。

Cultural notes

• 萬聖節 (Halloween)In Irish folklore, Halloween (Samhain) is a time when the boundary between the human world and the fairy realm is thin. Fairies are said to be active on this night. In the story, Jemmy visits the fairy castle on Halloween, and the fairies ride out to steal a human bride.
• 妖精たちの馬の旅The fairies ride magical horses through the air, flying over Ireland from town to town. This reflects the Irish folk belief that fairies travel in ghostly processions on Halloween night.

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Topics

Short Storyfolklorefilial pietymagical encounterheartwarmingnostalgicaozora bunko