作品Free Graded Reading
おせっかい夫人The Meddlesome Wife
Osekkai Fujin
by 岡本 かの子 · Okamoto Kanoko
JLPT N1Short StoryQuiz ready
A nosy wife's good deed backfires when she helps a thief break in.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnOn a sunny spring day, Hanako helps a man who claims to be a neighbor's relative retrieve a bag from the neighbor's house. After letting him in through a window, he leaves with a heavy bundle without thanking her. The man is later revealed to be a burglar.
Language difficultyIntermediate · 65/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| うらうら | calmly and brightly (sunny) |
|---|---|
| ぼけ | Japanese quince (flowering shrub) |
| 空巣ねらい (あきすねらい) | burglar who targets empty houses |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～てやる N4Do something for someone (often with a sense of giving, but can also imply a favor)中位なのを一つ借りて来て男に手伝わせ国枝さんの湯殿の上部の硝子窓に届かせ、少し腰弱そうな男のために梯子の下部まで押えてやり
- ～させる (Causative) N4Make/let someone do something; here used to indicate causing the man to reach the window中位なのを一つ借りて来て男に手伝わせ国枝さんの湯殿の上部の硝子窓に届かせ
- ～てしまう N4Express completion of an action, often with a sense of regret or finality国枝さんのお姑さんのお家の方ででもおありでしょうにね
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Boke (Japanese quince)The boke (Japanese quince) is a flowering shrub that blooms in early spring. It is often grown in Japanese gardens and its bright red-orange flowers are a symbol of spring. In the story, the boke branches are mentioned as a scenic detail, contrasting with the subsequent intrusion of the burglar.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat does Hanako do when the man asks for help?
- She ignores him.
- She calls the police.
- She helps him break into the neighbor's house.
- She gives him the neighbor's key.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to descriptive words like 'うらうら' and 'ぼやけた' which set the mood and character traits.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese午前十一時半から十二時ちょっと過ぎまでの出来事です。うらうらと晴れた春の日の暖気に誘われて花子夫人は三時間も前に主人を送り出した門前へまたも出て見ました。糸目の艶をはっきりたてた手際の好い刺繍です。そこに隣家国枝さんとの境の垣に金紅色の蕾を寄り合わせ盛り合わせているぼけの枝は――だが、その蔭にうろうろしていたのは可愛ゆいカナリヤの雛ではありませんでした。黒っぽくぼやけた四十男でした。「私、国枝の親類の者ですが、至急旅に立ちますのに必要なものをこの家に預けて置いたのですが留守で困っております」若くて気の好い、そしてかなりおせっかいな花子夫人が、国枝さん一家が今朝から中野の知人へ出かけたことを知っていたのですからたまりません。国枝さんの嫁さんと姑さんが出かける時、厳重に鍵を利かせて置いた戸締りの何処かにすきがあるかと隣家の戸口という戸口を四十男とたたいて歩き廻りました。がだめでした。
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