ENGLISH CHALLENGE CUP
2月15日午後、教育総合センターにて第4回目のENGLISH CHALLENGE CUPが行われました。今回は、「世界遺産登録20周年記念大会」として行われました。テーマは「○○との出会い IN NARA」でした。本校からは、2年生の仲野柊太君が参加してくれました。14番目に「Encounters with books」と題して、堂々と発表することができました。たくさんの人に見られなかなかの緊張感だったことと思いますが、とてもはっきりと発音することができていました。やり終えた後の顔は、ホッとするとともにとても充実感にあふれていました。お疲れさまでした。いい経験になりましたね。
Encounters with books
Nakano Shuta (Grade 2)
Heijo-Nishi JHS
I have had a lot of encounters in Nara. I have met many friends and family here. They are precious to me. Also, I have read a lot of wonderful books in my life. The encounters with characters in books are as precious as encounters in real life. Today, I want to talk about my encounter with books.
I started enjoying books when I was little. My mother used to read picture books to me. I liked to listen to stories. I enjoyed picture books with my mother. I was very happy and my mother looked happy too. We shared not only the stories but also our feelings. The picture books gave us a wonderful time.
At the age of ten, I read a book called “Two Year’s Vacation”. The book was one of the most special books that I have encountered in my life. There are many characters in the story. Some are brave and active, others are shy, but all of them are attractive. Brian was my favorite. I think I have something in common with him. He lives in my mind even now. When I have some troubles, I ask myself, “What would Brian do?” Then he always tells me the answer and I can decide what I should do.
Now I am a junior high student and a member of the baseball club. I practice hard every day. I don’t have enough time to read books these days. One day, however, I saw a book in a bookstore. A cat was on the cover. I picked it up because I had a cat and I love cats. I bought the book and started to read it at home. Soon, I found it was difficult to stop reading. The book drew me in. I realized that I was crying. I was moved by the story. I am busy and I don’t have time for reading like I used to, but books always remind me of important feelings.
Reading books is important to my life. When I read a book, I feel like I’m the character in the story. I can overcome difficulties there. Although it is not a real experience, it gives me power to try new things in my life.
Next year is my last year of junior high school. I am thinking of what I will do after graduating. I sometimes feel nervous. At the same time, I got excited because great encounters with new friends and new books are waiting for me. I believe they will help me and broaden my horizons.