作品Free Graded Reading
ねことおしるこThe Cat and the Sweet Red Bean Soup
Neko to Oshiruko
by 小川 未明 · Ogawa Mimei
JLPT N3Short StoryQuiz ready
A boy wakes his sister in the night over a cat fight, then later begs for sweet bean soup.
About this story
About this storyA boy wakes his sister over a cat fight, but she scolds him for making a fuss.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese「お姉ちゃん、お姉ちゃん、たいへん。」と、まくらをならべている正ちゃんが、夜中にお姉さんを起こしました。よく眠入っていたお姉さんは、何事かと思って、おどろいて目をさまして、「どうしたの、正ちゃん。」と、いまにも立ち上がろうとなさいました。「あれ、たいへんじゃないか。」と、正ちゃんは、大きな目をあけて、耳をすましていました。「なにさ、なにがたいへんなの。」「アオン、アオンといっているだろう。あれは、黒いどらねこだよ。そして、ニャア、ニャアといっているのは、三毛なんだよ。」正ちゃんは、ねこのけんかで目をさましたのでした。小さい三毛が、大きな黒ねこにいじめられているので、たいへんだと思ったのです。「ねこのけんかでしょう。そんなことで、人を起こすものがありますか、びっくりするじゃありませんか。」と、お姉さんは、正ちゃんをしかりました。
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What you'll learn
What you'll learnSho-chan wakes his sister in the middle of the night because of a cat fight. His sister scolds him. The next morning, Sho-chan loudly announces there is oshiruko, embarrassing his sister again.
Language difficultyBeginner-Intermediate · 25/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| まくらをならべている | sleeping side by side (lit. arranging pillows) |
|---|---|
| おしるこ | sweet red bean soup |
| どらねこ | stray cat, alley cat |
| 三毛 (みけ) | calico cat |
| 境内 (けいだい) | shrine grounds, temple grounds |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～ている N5Indicates an ongoing action or state.まくらをならべている正ちゃん
- ～てあげる N4Do something for someone (giving).着せておやり
- ～てしまう N4Expresses completion or regrettable action.ねこのけんかで目をさましたのでした。
- ～てから N5After doing something.しかってから、はっとして
- ～なければならない N4Must do something.もっと、いいお点をとらなけりゃ。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Oshiruko (おしるこ)A traditional Japanese sweet dessert soup made from azuki beans and sugar, often served with mochi or dumplings. It is commonly eaten in winter.
- Shrine Grounds (境内)The grounds of a Shinto shrine, often a place for children to play. In the story, Sho-chan plays there with friends.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy did Sho-chan wake his sister up in the middle of the night?
- Because he heard a cat fight.
- Because he wanted oshiruko.
- Because he was scared of the dark.
- Because he wanted to play.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to the different speech styles: polite (desu/masu) used by the sister and mother, and casual used by Sho-chan.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammarShort Storychildrenanimalschildhoodhumorousheartwarmingaozora bunko〜ているte iru · ongoing action / state〜てからte kara · after doing〜なければならないnakereba naranai · must / have to〜てあげるte ageru · do for someone (favour)〜てしまうte shimau · ended up (regret)
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