Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Masao is a junior high school student. One day Ms. Tanaka, his homeroom teacher, said
to the students, "Next week well talk about our town together. I want you to find something
you don't know about our town." After the class Masao said to Taro. "Let's explore our
town next Sunday." Taro agreed. That evening Masao told his father about his idea. Masao's
father said, "Why don't you walk from the station to Minami Park?" Masao said, "That's
a good idea."
The next Sunday Masao met Taro at the station. When they were walking, they saw many new
houses. Masao said, "When I was a little child, there were not many houses around here. I'm
surprised." Then they saw a lot of beautiful flowers along the road. A woman was giving
water to the flowers. Taro said to her, "Hello. These flowers are beautiful." She said, "Thank
you. People living around here take care of the flowers every day." Masao asked, "Is it
hard for you to take care of them?" She answered, "Yes, but it's nice for us to live in a town
which has a lot of beautiful flowers." Taro thought, 'She really likes this town."
When they got to Minami Park, Masao said, "Look! That's a big pine tree. Let's go near
it." Some men were doing something near the tree. Mr. Sato, one of the men, spoke to Masao
and Taro. He said, "Are you interested in this tree? It's been here for about three
hundred years." Taro said, "Oh, it's a very old tree! I didn't know that. By the way,
are you cleaning this park ?" Mr. Sato said, "Yes. We are members of a volunteer group
and clean this park every week." Taro said, "Now I know why this park is very beautiful."
Mr. Sato said, "Thank you. I hope people will enjoy Minami Park for many years, so I work
as a member of this volunteer group." Masao said to Mr. Sato, "That's great! You are working
for the future of this park."
That evening Masao said to his father, "I think our town is wonderful." His father asked,
"Why do you think so?" Masao answered, "Because people love this town and enjoy doing something
for other people." His father said, "I'm glad to hear that. I want you to talk about it
with your friends in Ms. Tanaka's class." "OK. I want to cooperate with my friends to
do something for our town," said Masao with a smile.