作品Free Graded Reading
笑いの歌Laughing Song
Warai no Uta
by ブレイク ウィリアム · Bureiku Wiriamu
JLPT N3Short Story
A joyful poem about nature and children laughing.
What you'll learn
What you'll learnNature—forests, streams, and hills—laughs joyfully, and children named Mary, Susan, and Emily sing 'ha ha hee' while spreading a treat of cherries and walnuts under a tree, then join hands and continue singing.
Language difficultyBeginner · 20/100
Key vocabulary
Key vocabulary| よろこび | joy |
|---|---|
| 小川 (おがわ) | stream |
| 常談 (じょうだん) | pleasant conversation |
| きりぎりす | cricket (insect) |
| 桜んぼ (さくらんぼ) | cherry (fruit) |
Grammar points you'll meet
Grammar points you'll meet- ～ながら N5Indicates two actions occurring simultaneously; 'while doing'.波だつ小川が笑いながら走ってゆく。
Cultural notes
Cultural notes- Western Names in Japanese PoetryThe names 'メアリ' (Mary), 'スーザン' (Susan), and 'エミリ' (Emily) are transliterations of common English names, indicating a Western influence typical of Meiji-era or early modern Japanese poetry that adapted Western nursery rhymes.
Try a comprehension question
Try a comprehension questionWhat do the children do while spreading cherries and walnuts?
- They dance.
- They sing 'ha ha hee'.
- They clap their hands.
- They run away.
Sensei's reading tip
Sensei's reading tipNotice the personification of nature (laughing forest, stream, etc.) which is a common poetic device.
Read a sample in Japanese
Read a sample in Japanese緑の森がよろこびの声で笑い波だつ小川が笑いながら走ってゆく、空気までが私たちの愉快な常談で笑い緑の丘がその声で笑い出す。牧場がいきいきした緑で笑いきりぎりすが楽しい景色の中で笑う、メアリとスーザンとエミリとが可愛い口をまるくしてハ・ハ・ヒと歌う。私たちが桜んぼとくるみの御馳走をならべるとその樹の蔭できれいな鳥が笑っている、さぁ元気で愉快に手をつなぎましょううれしいハ・ハ・ヒを合唱しましょう。
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