作品Free Graded Reading
梅のにおいThe Scent of Plum Blossoms
Ume no Nioi
by 夢野 久作 · Yumeno Kyūsaku
A cat tries to trick a nightingale under the guise of appreciating plum blossoms.
About this story
About this storyA cat pretends to appreciate the scent of plum blossoms to trick a nightingale.
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): 「夢野久作全集7」三一書房
1970（昭和45）年1月31日第1版第1刷発行
1992（平成4）年2月29日第1版第12刷発行
Typed in by 川山隆. Proofread by 土屋隆.
Yomimaru changed the spelling to modern kana and modern kanji. The wording is the author's.
The furigana are Yomimaru's. In the app it is split into 2 parts.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnA spotted cat tries to lure a bush warbler by pretending to admire the plum blossoms, but the bird sees through the trick and escapes.
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| 斑猫 (まだらねこ) | calico cat |
|---|---|
| 嗅ぐ (かぐ) | to sniff |
| 鶯 (うぐいす) | Japanese bush warbler |
| 猫なでごえ (ねこなでごえ) | coaxing voice |
| 蕾 (つぼみ) | bud |
| 地べた (じべた) | ground |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～てみる N5To try doing something嗅いでみました
- ～たくなる N4To want to (do) (volitional form)たべたくなる
- ～ようだ N4Seems like, appears (hearsay or conjecture)たべたくなるようですね
- ～ながら N4While (doing)躍りながら
- ～てしまう N4To finish doing, regrettably落ちてしまいました
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Ume (Plum Blossom) in Japanese CulturePlum blossoms (ume) are a symbol of spring and are often associated with the bush warbler (uguisu). Their fragrance is highly praised in Japanese poetry.
- Cat-petting Voice猫なでごえ (neko nade goe) literally means 'cat-petting voice' and refers to a coaxing, sweet tone used to persuade someone.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat is the cat's true intention when it speaks to the bush warbler?
- To become friends
- To eat the warbler
- To dance together
- To smell the plum blossoms together
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipPay attention to onomatopoeia like 'ホーホケキョ' to get a sense of the bird's actions.
Topics & grammar
Topics & grammar
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