まず久太は渋谷に来ました。そこで犬の像を見つけました。
「あれが、有名なハチ公かな」
すると、突然犬の像がきゅうたに話しかけました。
「おい」
きゅうたはびっくりしました。
「もしかして、お前が話しているの？」
「そうさ、俺はハチ公の幽霊だ。俺が死んだ後、人間が俺の銅像つくってくれたから、まだ天国にいかないで、ここにとどまっているんだ」
「ふーん」
「でも、どうしてお前は、幽霊の俺の声が聞こえんだ。あ、そうか。お前、妖怪だな。だから俺の声がきこえるんだ」
「お前ってよぶな。俺は河童のきゅうただ」
「きゅうたか。子供くせに生意気なかっぱだな」
「わるかったな。それより、せっかくだからインスタ用に写真とっていい？」
「いいよ。でもかっこよくとってくれよ」
Here is the English meaning of the selected words from the provided text:
- 渋谷 (Shibuya): Shibuya
- 犬の像 (inu no zou): dog statue
- 有名な (yuumei na): famous
- ハチ公 (Hachiko): Hachiko
- 話しかける (hanashikakeru): talk to
- びっくりする (bikkuri suru): be surprised
- 幽霊 (yuurei): ghost
- 死んだ (shinda): died
- 銅像 (douzou): statue
- 天国 (tengoku): heaven
- とどまる (todomaru): stay
- 声が聞こえる (koe ga kikoeru): hear a voice
- インスタ (Insuta): Instagram
- 写真を撮る (shashin o toru): take a photo
- かっこよく (kakkoyoku): coolly
Question 1: What did Kyuta find in Shibuya?
a) Dog statue
b) Real Hachiko
c) Kyuta’s friend
Question 2: How did the dog statue approach Kyuta?
a) “Hello”
b) “Hey”
c) “Thank you”
Question 3: How did Kyuta feel when the dog statue spoke to him?
a) Happy
b) Surprised
c) Ignored it
Question 4: Why is the ghost of Hachiko still here?
a) Because humans made a statue of him
b) Because he was afraid to go to heaven
c) To play with Kyuta
Question 5: What was Kyuta called by the ghost of Hachiko?
a) Yokai
b) Dog
c) Ghost
Question 6: Why did Kyuta want to take a photo?
a) For Instagram
b) For a school presentation
c) To show his family
Question 7: Lastly, what did the dog statue ask for?
a) To play more
b) To take a cool photo
c) To bake a cake
Do you all know about the existence of “kappa”? Kappa is a yokai that has been living in Japan since ancient times. Yokai are beings with mysterious abilities that are different from ordinary humans and animals, and their existence cannot be explained scientifically. They are usually feared by humans and rarely show themselves in public. Kappa are no exception. They usually live in rivers and rarely emerge into human society. However, there are some yokai who have an interest in the human world, and the protagonist of this story, a young kappa named Kuta, is one of them. Kuta has a great interest in human society and secretly leaves the river, embarking on a journey to Tokyo.
Now, today, Kuta has arrived at Shibuya in Japan. Kuta got off the train and left Shibuya Station. Then, Kuta spotted a bronze statue of a dog. “Oh, is that the famous Hachiko? Surprisingly, it’s a small statue,” Kuta said. As Kuta was gazing at the statue of Hachiko, he heard a voice coming from the statue. “Hey, kappa,” the voice called out. “Huh? Did you just speak?” Kuta was surprised. “You can hear my voice. Impressive for a yokai,” replied the statue. “Are you Hachiko?” Kuta asked. “That’s right. I’m Hachiko. Although I passed away a long time ago,” said the statue. “So, you’re the ghost of Hachiko?” Kuta asked. “That’s right. After I passed away, this bronze statue was made, allowing me to remain in this world,” explained the statue. “I see,” Kuta nodded in understanding. “Well, in reality, I was a much more magnificent dog than this statue,” the statue murmured. “Is that so?” Kuta responded with little interest. “Yes,” the statue replied. “But that doesn’t matter. There’s something more important. I want to post on Instagram, so could you take a photo for me?” Kuta said. “You, a kappa, using Instagram?” the statue was surprised. “What’s wrong with that?” Kuta replied. “Don’t worry about it. Sure, go ahead and take the photo,” the statue kindly agreed.
