政ちゃんと赤いりんごMasa-chan and the Red Apple

What you'll learn

Two brothers, Masachan and Yuuchan, argue over apples sent by their grandmother. The older brother snatches the larger apple, prompting a fight. Their mother intervenes and suggests Masachan sketch the smaller, red apple. The next day, Masachan takes the apple to school, where classmates fight over it and are punished. Later, Masachan gives the apple to a passing monkey performer, bringing the story to a peaceful end.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～てしまう N4Indicates completion or regret of an action.
  兄の勇ちゃんは、政ちゃんの小さな手でつかんだ、りんごを奪ってしまいました。
• ～そう（様態） N4Indicates appearance or seeming; 'looks like'.
  勇ちゃんは、手に、青い大きなりんごをしっかりと握っていました。そして、お母さんの裁判を、不平そうな顔つきをして、うつむいて聞いていました。
• ～てもいい N4Indicates permission; 'may do'.
  学校で、先生が、こんどなんでも持ってきて、図画の時間に写生してもいいと、おっしゃったことを思い出しました。
• ～てあげる N4Indicates doing something for someone else's benefit.
  この赤いりんごから、たいへんなことが起こったものだと、りんごを拾って、かばんの中に入れてしまいました。

Cultural notes

• 写生 (Sketching from Life)In Japanese elementary schools, students often bring objects from home to sketch during art class. This practice, called 'shasei', emphasizes careful observation and drawing from real life.
• さるまわし (Monkey Performance)A traditional street performance where a trained monkey performs tricks, often accompanying a performer who plays a drum. This was a common form of entertainment in Japan's past, though rare today.
• 学校の罰 (School Punishment)In early 20th-century Japanese schools, common punishments included standing in front of the class or being sent to the girls' section, which was considered shameful for boys. Teachers used physical reprimands like tickling (こそぐる).

Try a comprehension question

Read a sample in Japanese

Topics

Short Storychildrenfamilygreedhumorousnostalgicaozora bunko