Let's read a story in Japanese! Introducing Heaven and Hell!
Hello everyone!
Let's continue our Japanese reading today!
If you are studying Japanese, you may have various worries such as difficulty with particles, difficulty in speaking honorifics and humble expressions, difficulty in memorizing kanji, and so on.
In such a case, let's study using the Japanese reading on this blog!
It is important to read and speak a lot!
Let's read today's story "Heaven and Hell"!
"Heaven and Hell"
Once upon a time there was a young man.
The man always wondered whether he would go to heaven or hell when he died.
Man: "Oh, what kind of places are heaven and hell? I wonder which way I'm going..."
The man was worried about it, and he couldn't sleep at night.
One day, an angel appeared before the man,
Angel: "Oh dear, you seem to be very troubled."
Man : "Yes, I want to know what heaven and hell are like..."
Angel: "If you want to see Heaven and Hell so much, come with me. I'll show you."
Man : "Eh! Thank you for that!"
And so the man flew into the sky with the angel.
It climbed higher and higher beyond tall buildings and clouds.
The angel first took me to hell.
Angel: "Here comes hell. Let's see what hell is like."
Man: "I'm a little scared..."
The man was frightened, but went on.
In Hell, it looks like it's time to eat, and everyone is sitting around a round table preparing food.
Angel: "Look at the people here."
Man : "Okay."
The food lined up on the table smells so good and looks delicious.
The man's stomach became goo.
But if you take a closer look, you'll find that everyone in Hell is using chopsticks that are as long as 1m.
Everyone tried to put the rice in their mouths, but their chopsticks were too long and they couldn't eat it.
A lot of meat and fish fell on the floor, and the dining room became dirty in no time.
What's more, everyone can't eat well, so they're frustrated and complaining, and trying to take the next person's food.
After a while the bell rang.
Mealtime is over.
Everyone went back to their rooms without eating their fill.
The table top and the dining room floor were a mess, and I thought that this kind of life was disgusting for a man.
Angel: "Okay, then let's go to heaven next time."
Accompanied by an angel, the man passed through the gates of Heaven.
Heaven just seems to be eating time.
It's getting better and better.
Round tables are lined with the same delectable feasts as hell.
Angel: "Look at the people here."
Man : “Yeah, the atmosphere is different from before.”
Everyone in heaven eats rice with 1m long chopsticks.
But it looks better than hell.
If you look closely, you can see that the people in heaven were using long chopsticks to feed the people sitting across from them.
Everyone is feeding others, so everyone can eat to their heart's content.
It seems that the long chopsticks are not inconvenient while eating while talking happily.
When the man saw it, he felt very happy.
Angel: "Well, that's enough. Shall we go home?"
Man : "Yes. Thank you."
The man and the angel returned to the man's house.
Angel: "I've seen heaven and hell, which do you prefer?"
Man : "Of course I'd rather go to Heaven. But I get it. It doesn't matter whether you go to Heaven or Hell. You don't work for yourself, you work for someone else and help others." It's important to please."
Angel: "That's right. Heaven and hell used the same chopsticks and served the same delicious food. What's important is what's inside the people who live there."
Man : "Thank you very much for today."
When the man said so, the angel disappeared somewhere.
From that day on, the man worked for others and helped many people.
And after many decades, the man was able to go to heaven safely.
How was your talk?
The important thing is not where you go or where you live, but how you live in that place.
I think it was a very informative and interesting story.
What do you think heaven and hell are like? Also, if you were to be reborn, what would you like to be?
Imaginative stories like this are fun!
We would love to hear about your imaginary world!
Well, I think there are many people who are studying for the JLPT in July.
Of course, reviewing the grammar in the textbook one by one is a good way to study, but once in a while, reading a voluminous story like this is also a recommended study method.
Also, if you read today's story and think it's easy, don't look at this story next time and try to talk to someone about "Heaven and Hell" in your own words!
It's easy to read, but it suddenly becomes difficult when you try to speak for yourself.
Please try it!
See you in the next blog!
