作品Free Graded Reading
鸚鵡The Parrot
Oumu
by 福士 幸次郎 · Fukushi Kōjirō
A parrot's clever mimicry fools a hunter into thinking it's a person.
About this story
About this storyA parrot that can only say 'Who's there?' escapes its cage and encounters a hunter.
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): 「思い出の名作絵本 岡本帰一」河出書房新社
2001（平成13）年8月30日初版発行
Typed in by 川山隆. Proofread by 土屋隆.
Yomimaru changed the spelling to modern kana and modern kanji.
The furigana are Yomimaru's.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnA parrot that can say one phrase escapes its cage and flies to the forest, where a farmer mistakes it for a talking spirit and runs away.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 鸚鵡 (おうむ) | parrot |
|---|---|
| 鐵砲 (てっぽう) | gun |
| 百姓 (ひゃくしょう) | farmer |
| 櫻實 (さくらんぼ) | cherry |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～ず（に） N3Negative form of ～ない呼んでも籠へは歸らない、
- ～たことがある N5Experience of doing somethingこんなに上手にものをいふ鳥に出あつた試しなし
- ～てたまらない N3Extremely, cannot bear鸚鵡は愉快でたまらない。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Poetic ParrotThe story is written in a poetic, rhythmic style reminiscent of Japanese children's verse or folklore. The repetition of the parrot's phrase creates humor and irony.
- Hunter's ReactionThe farmer's polite apology to the 'talking bird' reflects cultural emphasis on politeness even in fear.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat does the parrot say?
- Who's there?
- Hello!
- I'm free!
- Goodbye!
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipRead the poem aloud to get a feel for the rhythm.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
同級More at N1
- Native-level Japanese newsYominews · free, furigana on every kanji
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- The full JLPT N1 grammar list72 points · free study cards
- Which kanji you need for N1Study guide · what to know
- JLPT reading comprehension strategiesStudy guide · reading strategy
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