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.