うさぎと二人のおじいさんThe Rabbit and the Two Old Men

Read a sample in Japanese

What you'll learn

Two cranky old men live next door. One raises rabbits, the other coughs loudly. When the coughing old man startles a rabbit, the rabbit starts coughing, leading to neighborhood gossip and a school drawing incident.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～ていた N4Past continuous tense. Describes an action that was ongoing in the past.
  ふたりの気むずかしい、おじいさんが、隣り合わせに住んでいました。
• ～たので N4Indicates reason or cause. Means 'because [did X]'.
  このとき、ちょうどせきをするおじいさんが、やはり、こちらで、うさぎが自分の家の方へ顔を出しているのを見つけましたので、
• ～たものだ N3Expresses a strong recollection or past habit. Often used for reminiscing.
  近所の人たちは、みょうなことがあればあるものだと、
• ～てしまう N4Indicates completion of an action, often with a nuance of regret or finality.
  うさぎは、びっくりして逃げ出しました。これを見たうさぎのおじいさんもやはり、びっくりしました。

Cultural notes

• 毛色の変わった珍しいThis phrase describes rabbits with unusual fur colors, reflecting the Japanese appreciation for rare or unique pets, similar to the concept of '珍獣' (rare animals).
• 盆栽Bonsai, the art of growing miniature trees in pots, is a traditional Japanese practice that requires great care and patience. The old man's anger at the rabbit eating his bonsai leaves shows the value placed on these plants.
• 近所付き合いThe story illustrates Japanese neighborhood dynamics, where small grievances can lead to gossip and social friction. The concept of 'うわさ' (rumor) spreading quickly is a common theme.

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Topics & grammar

Short Storyfolkloreconflictanimalshumorousnostalgic〜ていたte ita〜てしまうte shimau