作品Free Graded Reading
二ひきの蛙Two Frogs
Nihiki no Kaeru
by 新美 南吉 · Niimi Nankichi
Two frogs argue about colors and learn a valuable lesson after winter.
About this story
About this storyTwo frogs quarrel over their colors and agree to settle their fight after winter hibernation.
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): 「ごんぎつね 新美南吉童話作品集1」てのり文庫、大日本図書
1988（昭和63）年7月8日第1刷発行
Typed in by めいこ. Proofread by 鈴木厚司、もりみつじゅんじ.
Yomimaru replaced classical grammar with its modern form.
The furigana are Yomimaru's. In the app it is split into 2 parts.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnTwo frogs, one green and one yellow, meet in a field and argue about their colors. They fight, but then a cold wind reminds them winter is coming. They hibernate, and in spring they wake up, bathe, and reconcile, realizing each other's color is beautiful.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 蛙 | frog |
|---|---|
| けんか | fight, quarrel |
| 冬 | winter |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～ている N5Indicates an ongoing action or state.
こんなふうに話しあっていると、よいことは起こりません。
- ～てしまう N4Indicates completion of an action, often with a sense of regret or finality.
するとそのとき、寒い風がふいてきました。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Frogs in Japanese FolkloreFrogs (蛙) are often seen as symbols of good luck and safe travel in Japan, due to the word 'kaeru' meaning both frog and 'to return'. This story is a simple fable illustrating how sleep can improve mood.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhy did the two frogs start fighting?
- Because they both wanted to eat the same food.
- Because they insulted each other's colors.
- Because a cold wind blew.
- Because they wanted to hibernate.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to dialogues between characters to understand the conflict and resolution.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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