お父さんのお寝坊Father's Oversleeping

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What you'll learn

Mitzuko is tasked by her mother to wake her father on a Sunday morning. Despite numerous attempts and clever arguments, her father resists until her mother intervenes, finally getting him up. Mitzuko is moved to tears by the experience.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～なければいけません N4Must do; indicates obligation.
  もうお起ししなければいけませんわ。
• ～かと思ふと N2Just when I thought... then; indicates an action immediately followed by another unexpected action.
  「未だ早いよ。」と、お父さんは夢中でさう云つたかと思ふと、今度は反対の方を向いてグウ〳〵眠つてしまひました。
• ～くせに N3Even though; despite the fact that (often with a negative connotation).
  「そんなにも眠いものかなア、お父さんのくせに――」
• ～てはいけません N5Must not do; prohibition.
  自分で起きなければいけない、今朝起されて起きた方は誰と誰ですか？
• ～たら N4If (conditional); after something happens.
  これまで苦心して失敗したら、取り返しがつかないと美津子は思ひました。

Cultural notes

• Japanese Family Morning RoutineIn traditional Japanese households, it was common for children to wake their parents, especially on weekends. This story reflects the respectful yet playful dynamic between parent and child, highlighting the cultural value of filial responsibility and gentle persuasion.

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Topics & grammar

Short Storychildrencomedyfamilymorning routineheartwarminghumorous〜てはいけませんte wa ikemasen · must not / may not〜たらtara · if / when