草の葉メソッドによる中学生のための日本英語の私塾

中学生クラスのテキスト

Part1 　音読による速読トレーニング

中学三年生の英語のテキスト、レッスン1からレッスン8までの全文を、新幹線の速度で音読しなさい。意味がぜんぜんわからなくてもかまいません。意味不明でも、とにかくものすごい速度で読みなさい。この全文を一時間で読み切るというトレーニングを毎日続けて下さい。翻訳禁止です。英文を日本語に翻訳しながら読んではいけません。英語をそのまま英語でつかみとっていくという訓練です。英語を自分の言葉にして、自由に英語がはなせるようになるには、英語脳をつくっていかねばならないのです。中学三年生が一年かけて学ぶ英語のテキストを、わずか一か月そこそこで完全読破する君の英語の成績は、クラスのトップスリーどころか、ぶつちぎりのトップになるでしょう。

PROGRAM 1
Bentos Are Interesting!

Do we have English homework today?
Yes. Mr. Oka told us to write a speech.
Ben! Please help me!
Ok. Let’s do it together.
How can I learn Japanese?
You should read Japanese books.
It’s difficult for me to read kanji.
Don’t worry! I’ll give you a helpful book.
Hello, Ben. Do you want to do something together next Sunday?
Yes! How about a picnic?
I’m afraid that it will rain.
Why don’t we go to a movie, then?

Cherry blossom are so beautiful.
Yes. Oh, it’s almost noon. Let’s eat lunch.
I’ve been waiting for that word.
Here is your bento.
Thanks. Did you make it?
No. I asked my mother to make bentos for us.
Wow! It’s so cute and colorful!
This is a Kyara-be, or a character bento.
It’s popular in Japan. Do you like it?
Yes, very much. I don’t like carrots, but I can eat them in this way.
Bentos are not only home-made. Have you heard of an ekiben?
No. what is it?
It’s a bento available at train stations.
I see. What’s special about ekibens?
They have local food, such as Kobe beef and oysters from Hiroshima.
I’ve heard there are more than 2,000 kinds of ekibens in Japan.
That many? Someday I want to travel around Japan by train and many ekibens!
Sound fantastic. It’s fun to find your favorite ekiben on a trip.

Why did Bill say, I’ve been waiting for that word?
Because he was hungry.
Who made the bento for Bill and Mao?
Mao’s mother did.
Do ekibens have anything special?
Yes, they do. They have local food, such as Kobe beef and oysters from Hiroshima.
What does Bill want to try if travels around Japan?
He want to try many ekibens.

Japanese people often use a variety of food when they make bentos. A Japanese bento is very colorful and well- to balanced in nutrition.
Today many countries have developed their own unique lunch culture. For example, Mumbai in India is famous for its lunch delivery to schools or workplace without fail.
Why don’t you try a local lunch when you travel abroad? I’m sure you can find a lunch with a different look and taste.

What do Japanese people often use when they make bentos?
They often use variety of food.
Why is the lunch delivery service in Mumbai famous?
Because hot lunches from home are delivered to school or workplace without fail.

Excuse me, I have a stomachache. Can I ask you to call a doctor for me?
Ok. Just a moment. I’ll call right now.
Excuse me, I have a fever. Can I ask you to bring some medicine for me?
Ok. Just a moment. I’ll bring right now.

It’s important for me to read books because I want to be a writer.
I’m sure you can be one. How many books do you read in a week?
At least five.
Please tell me about your favorite book!

I often relax in this room. I always play video games here. I like this room because I can go out into the yard and play with my dog. Where am I?
I can always feel easy in this room. I often do my homework here. I sometimes listen to music here. When I open the window. I can get some fresh air. From here I like to see the dog down in the yard. Where am I?
This room is very busy in the morning. I sometimes take a shower in the morning. My sister spends a lot of time here. I have to wait for a long time to wash my face and brush my teeth.

Newspapers give us better information than the internet because everything is written by professional journalist? They know the topics well and check each other’s writing before they publish. So you can trust information from newspapers.
I understand your point. However, information in newspapers can be wrong too.
Which is a better place to read books? At home or in a library?

PROGRAM 2
Good Night, Sleep Tight

Have you ever seen my key, Ami?
No. have you lost it?
Yes. I can’t remember where I put it.
You studied at the library this afternoon, right?
Hi, Sue. I’m looking for my key.
You key? Ms. Hara may know something.
Really? Can you tell me where she is?
She’s over there.
Ms. Hara, have you seen a key?
Well, Mr. Ito found one.
What was it like?
He told me that it had a red bell.

You look sleepy today, Ken.
I sleep only four hours last night.
Only four hours? You should know how sleep affect our health. I don’t think a lot of Japanese people sleep enough.
I have no idea, but many doctors say we need to sleep at six hours a day.
Then I’ll sleep eight hours tonight.
Wait. I’ve heard you can’t make up for lack of sleep later.
Have you ever felt tired even thought you sleep long enough?
Yes, I have. On those days I can’t concentrate on anything.
When you are tired, you need a good sleep.
A good sleep? Please tell me what I should do.
You should take a bath 90 minutes before going to bed. Then your body temperature will be just right when you sleep.
Do you do it every day?
Yes, so I’m always full of energy.
I see. I’ll try it tonight.

Do you use your smartphones for a long time before going to bed? If you look at bright screen at night, your brain will believe it is daytimes. As a result, you cannot fall asleep easily. To get a good asleep, you should change this habit. People have started to see how good sleep improves our work. Some companies have introduced a short nap time early in the afternoon. The result tell us that people can work better after a nap. But you shouldn’t sleep too long.

What will happen if you use smartphones before going to bed?
Our brain will believe it is daytime. We won’t able to fall asleep easily.
Can people work better after a nap?
Yes, they can.

Excuse me. Could you tell me how to get to Haneda Airport?
Suer. We are at Shinagawa Station now.
Yes.
Go to Tokyo and change trains there.
OK. Which line should I take there?
Take the Koku Line. It’ll take about 30 minutes from here.
Thank you very much.
You’re welcome. Take care.

PROGRAM3
A Hot Sport Today]

Hi, are you a new student? I’m Ami.
Hi, Ami. I’m Alexander.
Excuse me?
Alexander. Please call me Alex.
Ami, wake up.
Oh, I’m asleep.
Why are you so asleep?
The warm weather makes me sleepy.
I’m so tired today.
You should get more rest.
Yes. I’ll go to bed early tonight.
Hot milk makes you sleep well.

I watched a B.LEAGUE game yesterday.
What’s the B.LEAGUE?
It’s the Japanese professional basketball league. We call it B.LEAGUE
I see. When I was in the U.S. I often watched NBA games.
Basketball was born in the U.S., wasn’t it?
Yes. In the U.S., some people call it the king of sports. People enjoy not only the games but also the half-time shows.
I want to watch an NBA game in the U.S. someday.

Basketball was invented by a P.E. teacher in Massachusetts in 1891. During the cold winters, the students couldn’t enjoy sports outside. He created a new indoor sport for them. They used peach basket as goals, so they named the sport basketball.
In fact, a Japanese student played in the fast basketball game. The student also drew a picture of this game. The P.E. teacher used it in the report to introduce basketball. This report made the sport famous in the U.S.

Hello Miki.
How is your life in Canada? Thanks for sending me the comic book. It made me laugh a lot. I went to see a professional basketball game yesterday. It was amazing. The arena was full of fans, and sometimes they got very excited. I didn’t know basketball was so popular here in Japan. We have the final basketball tournament next weekend. I’ll do my best. Wish me luck! Your friend. Daniel.

Let me tell you about the field trip on June 20. As you know, we are planning to go to Green Park. You can enjoy sports such as soccer, softball, basketball, and volleyball there. You have to choose two sports to play in the next meeting. Which ones do you want to play? Please decide by then.

Our field trip is just around the corner. We are going visit the National Art Museum this Saturday. You can see a lot of famous painting there. You have already chosen your favorite artist. Find your artist’s painting and write a report about them. You have to hand it in by next Friday.

He, every one. I’m Nakahara Manjiro. American call me John Mung. Today I’m happy to tell you that I’ve come back home from the U.S. When I was fourteen, a strong wind took our fishing boat to middle of ocean. However, I was lucky that an American ship saved me. I lived in the U.S. for 10 years. I back now, so I went to help people by using English. Please in the know if you need my help. Thank you.

How long were you in the ocean?
Well, I was there for five days. I reached an island after that. There was no one. I survived there for another five months.
What did you enjoy the most while you were in the U.S.?
It is different to choose one, but I enjoyed fashion the most. American taught me how to dress up. Do I cool?

Faithfull Elephant
Many years ago, there were three wonderful Elephants at the Ueno Zoo. The elephants were John, Tonky. and Wanly. They could do tricks. Visitors to the zoo loved to see their tricks. Japan was at war then. Little by little the situation was getting worse. Bombs were dropped on Tokyo every day.
“If bombs hit the zoo, dangerous animals will get away and harm people,” said the Army. So it ordered the zoo kill all the dangerous animals such as lions, tigers, and bears.
Soon, it was time to kill the three elephants. The zookeepers did not want to kill them, but they to follow the order. They started with John. John loved potatoes, so they gave him poisoned potatoes together with good ones. But John was so clever that he ate only the good potatoes. Then they tried to give him an injection. But John’s skin was too hard needles to go through. Finally, they　decided to stop giving him any food. Poor John died in seventeen days.
Then the time came for Tonky and Wanly. they always looked at people with loving eyes. They were sweet and gentle-hearted. However, the elephant keepers had to stop giving them anything to eat. When a keeper walked by their cage, they stood up and raised their trunk in the air. They did their tricks because they were hoping to get food and water. Everyone at the zoo said with tears, “If they can live a little longer, the war may end and they will be saved.”
Tonky and wanly could no longer move. They lay down on the ground, but their eyes were still beautiful. When an elephant keeper came to see them they looked so weak. He became too sad to see them again. Bombs continued falling on Tokyo. And s few days later, Tonky and wanly died. When the elephants’bodies were examined，nothing was found in their stomachs not one drop of water.
Today, the three elephants rest in peace with other animals under the monument at the Ueno Zoo.

PROGRAM4
Sign language, Not Just Gesture

This is a phot of my high school days.
Oh, where are you?
I’m sitting next to the boy wearing a red cap.
Is this you? No kidding.
I like your shirt, Grandpa.
Thanks. This is a shirt made in Italy.
Really? When did you buy it?
Well, 50 years ago.

Look, Mao. They’re my friend. That girl is Sophia.
Which one is Sophia?
She is the girl using sign language.
Oh, can you understand her?
Yes. She is asking, “How are you?”
I see. It must be fantastic to communicate in sign language.
I think so too. Sophia taught me ASL. It’s American Sign Language.
American? I didn’t rearise there were different kind of sign languages.
ASL, is just one of them.
That’s interesting.

In fact, there are over 100 different sign language in the world. In some countries, sign language is used as an official language. ALS is a sign language used widely around world. According to a report, there are about half a million ALS users in the U.S. ALS is also used in Canada and some part of Asia and Africa. If you know ASL, you can communicate with many people. Would you like to learn some ASL expressions.

How do you say “My name is Mao” in ALS?
First, sign “my” and “name” like this. Then, spell your name with the sign language alphabet.
It’s like learning another language!
Right! Besides, ASL is not just gestures.
What do you mean?
When I asked Sophia “Wyhu?” she didn’t understand me. I didn’t lower my eyebrows.
I see. So facial expressions are also necessary in ASL, right?
Yes, exactly.

Every years, we have a school festival in November. It lasts for two days. Many people including elementary school students come and enjoy our festival.
Our basketball team practices four days a week. We have won the championship in the local tournament several times. Have you ever played basketball? We welcome beginners! If you practice hard, you can be a starting player.
Our brass band practice every day. We take part in a local contest every summer. If you are interested, come to the music room on the fourth floor. You don’t have to have your own musical instrument

PROGRAM5
The Story of Chocolate

Look. I think I’ve met that woman before.
Which woman are you talking about?
I mean the woman has long hair.
She’s Lisa, Joe’s sister.

Oh, there are lions!
They look very strong.
Lion. Lions are large animals which belong to the cat family. Only the male has long hair around its neck.
I see.

Have you seen movie?
No. what kind of movie is it?
It’s a movie that has many romantic scenes.
Really? I’d like to see it with Joe.

I’ve found a good topic for our speech.
What is it?
It’s the history of chocolate.
Sounds interesting! There are many students who love chocolate in our class.
According to a website, the original chocolate was just a bitter drink.
A bitter drink? Really?
Yes. In the old times in Mexico. It was made from crushed cacao beans and spices. It had no sugar. People regarded it as medicine.
I didn’t know that.
Chocolate was so valuable that only a small number if people could have it.

How did chocolate become popular? Cacao beans were shipped to Europe by the Spanish in the 16 th century. After that, Europeans began to drink their chocolate with sugar. The world’s first solid chocolate was made in 1847. However, it was still bitter. Then a Swiss man and his friend added milk to improve its taste. This is called “milk chocolate” today. Chocolate is enjoyed throughout the world now. Look at this figure. Let’s find the countries which consume a lot of chocolate.

Behind its popular image, the history of chocolate has its dark side. Many cacao beans are sold at an unfairly low price. So cacao farm workers are very poor. Many of their children are forced to work on cacao farms. They always see cacao, but some of them have never seen chocolate. Some people started a movement to improve farmers’lives. They buy cacao beans at a fair price and sell “fair trade” chocolate. If you want to buy it, look for chocolate that has fair trade logo on its package.

Our trip plan looked perfect. It was difficult for us to finish everything in th plan.
Electronic dictionaries are small and light, but we have to scroll to see more information. On the other hand, paper dictionaries are big and heavy, but we can see a lot of information at the same time.
LED lights are used in many places in our daily life. For example, they used for light in our houses, bicycle light, traffic light, and many other things.
What are your hobbies? My hobby is taking walks.
Going on walks is interesting. If you take a walk in your town, you can find many things. For example, you may find a temple that has an interesting history. You may find different plants in each season too. Taking walks is interesting because you can learn a lot.
It is also fun to travel by bicycle. However, if you always ride one, you may fail to see those wonderful things. So I like taking walks my town, and it is my hobby.

PROGRAM6
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

I’ve finally arrived. It was a long fright.
Well come to Washington, D.C.
I want to see a lot of things here.
Here is a plan which my father made for you.
There are many trees along the river.
They are the cherry trees that Japan gave to Washington, D.C. in 1912.
Really?
We enjoy the cherry blossoms here in spring.
There are many museums around here.
The museum I like the best is near here.
I want to go there.
Then, let’s go!

In 1997, an ocean researcher reached a new “land” when he was sailing across the Pacific Ocean. However, it was actually a huge amount of garbage floating in the ocean. The “land” was made of big and tiny plastic pieces. It is now called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. In fact, there are five patches in the world. The patch which the researcher found in the Pacific is the largest of all. It is almost four times as large as the whole land of Japan.
The garbage patches are harmful to see animals. They often get caught in fishing nets on the surface and cannot escape. They also eat small plastic pieces look like their food. The plastics that humans throw away kill many animals every year.
It is said that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch contains about 80,000 of garbage. Some researchers say that there will be more garbage than finish by 2050. We should reduce our use of plastic and gather the garbage in the sea,

When Boyan Slat was 16, he went diving in Greece. He was surprised to see so much garbage there. Two years later, he started the Ocean Cleanup project to solve this problem.
The cleanup system Boyan invented collects plastic trash in the ocean. Huge screen catch the plastic without hurting sea animals.
“Don’t we all want a future that is better than the present?” boyan said. “we can actually make things better again, and we can do this, and we must do this, and will do this.”

First hint. It’s something that we use in our daily life.
Do we use it at school?
Yes. I’ll give you another hint. It’s something that we use when we writ.
Is it a pen?
Close! The next hint. It’s something that we use to make important word.
Ah. I got it. It’s a highlighter.
What is konaihoso?
It’s an announcement which we make in the broadcasting room at school.
Can I say happy birthday to my friend?
That’s not a good idea. Private announcements are not allowed.

If you decide to go to an uninhabited island in the Pacific Ocean. No one lives on the island. You can bring only one thing to the island. What do you bring then ?
I will bring water because it is the most important to live. We cannot live without it. We use all the time for drinking, washing our hands, and so on.
I agree with your idea. I also think it is necessary to bring something to read.
I’m not sure about books. I like reding, but we need to eat. I think a cooking knife is better.

Your attention, please. A fire started in the Italian restaurant on the 12th floor.
Please move to a safe place now. Do not use the elevator. If you are on the 12th floor. use the north exit to the restroom. It is near the French restaurant. Do not use the west exit next to the ramen shop. This is not a drill.

PROGRAM7
Is AI a Friend or an Enemy?

There are too many things here!
I have to clean up this room.
If I were you, I would ask someone to help.
Can you help me?
I’m tired. Can we have a break?
Yes. We have been working hard.
I want something to eat.
If I had some snacks. I would feel better.
Look. Something bright is flying in the sky.
Is that UFO? I wish I had a camera with me.
I don’t see anything. You must be tired.

What are you searching for, Mom?
I want to buy s new vacuum cleaner but cannot decide which one to buy.
If I were you, I would buy a robot vacuum cleaner.
That sound good.
By the way, how can it clean rooms of different shapes?
It has AI inside, so it remembers the maps of the rooms.
Wow! AI is amazing.
Yes. AI ca also keep your online shopping records and suggest what to buy next.
But it makes you buy too much.

Today AI has developed to level that is different for humans to imagine. Shogi is an excellent example. The computer program Ponanza and studies 50,000 games played experts. It also played seven million more game against another Ponanza. By doing so, it found how to select the best move from millions of choices. In 2013, Ponanza finally beat an expert.
AI can store and process a lot of information quickly. If humans had the same abilities, they would have a chance to beat Ponanza. Now humans learn shogi from AI.
AI makes our lives more convenient. Some people wish AI would do everything for them. However, we should know both the good and bad point of it. In the medical field, for example.
AI may find diseases like cancer better and faster than humans.
AI may do operations more correctly than humans.
On the other hand;
Human doctors may lose their jobs.
AI may not understand patient’s feeling.
AI has been developing at an unbelievable speed.　How can we live together with AI from now on?

I had Doraemon’s “Time Machine.” I would go to Egypt about 4,500 years ago. I want solve the mystery of the pyramid because nobody knows how they were built. I wish could learn this secret.
I had Doraemon’s “Anywhere Door.” I would go to Australia in august. I like skiing, but we can ski only for two or three months in Japan. I wish I could enjoy skiing all year.
If there wear a stadium in this town, we could enjoy various events like soccer game and music concerts. What do you think?
I think so do. Beside, if it had a roof, we could enjoy many events even on rainy days.

Malala’s Voice for the Future

“One child, one teacher, on book, and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first.” One July 12, 2013, Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani schoolgirl, spork at the United Nations for the rights of children’s education in the world.
All the people listening to her speech were deeply moved by her word. The U.N. called the day Malala Day. It was her 16th birthday. About nine months before her speech, Malala was shot by a gunman. Why was she attacked?
Malala was born in the Swat Valley of northern Pakistan. It was a very beautiful place. One day a Taliban group came to her town. After that, her life changed very much. People had no freedom. Girls could not go to school freely. “what we went to school, we had to hide our books under our shawls,” said Malala.
Malala wrote about the miserable life there in her blog. That made the Taliban very angry. Later, on October9, 2012, a gunman shot her on a school bus.
The attack on Malala became big news throughout the world. Immediately she was taken to a hospital in U.K. and recovered miraculously. After that, her voice was a stronger than ever. “We raised our voices for the rights of education. When the whole world is silent, then even one voice become powerful,” said Malala.
In 2014, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Malala. She became the youngest person in history to receive the prize.
In her speech, Malala said, “A war can never be ended by a war.” “Instead of sending guns, send pens. Instead of sending tanks, send books. Instead of sending soldiers, send teachers.” Malala continued to speak out:
“let us dream today. A dream of a bright future. There every girl and every boy are going to school. We are going to be the future and let us make our future now, and let us make today’s dreams tomorrow’s reality.”

A girl named Malala Yousafzai was born in 1997 in the Swat Valley, Pakistan.
After a Taliban group came to her town, people had to live a miserable life there. They were not free to get an education, but Malala was not afraid. She kept writing about the life in her town in her blog. Because of that, she was almost killed on a school bus, but many people worked hard to save her life.
Ever since, she has expressed her opinions throughout the world. She became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. Her dream is to make today’s dream tomorrow’s reality.

My favorite memory of junior high school was our school trip to Hiroshima. The three days I spent there meaningful because I learned a lot. Especially, at the Hiroshima Peace memorial park. I learned about important of world peace.
I helped at a supermarket for our work experience program. When I was learning how to put goods on the shelf. I dropped a pack of eggs on the floor. The staff members were very kind and did not blame me. I’ll forget their kindness, and it’s my favorite memory.
The chorus contest was my favorite memory. We practiced every day for about a month. At first, it was difficult for us to sing the different part. However, we could sing well at the end. I will remember our beautiful harmony and our victory.
These three years so special! I was in the shogi club and practiced hard with other member every day. When I joined the club, I didn’t know to play shogi well. However, I learned how to play it. Now shogi is mu hobby and my favorite memory of junior high school.

The Ig Nobel prize

Have you heard of the Ig Nobel Prize? It stared in 1991 as a parody of the Nobel Prize. The awards go to “improbable research”; in other words, they celebrate the un usual in science. Those studies look silly at first, but they are all serious studies.
Over the years, the Prize has become popular throughout the world.
Surprisingly, Japanese scientists have been very successful in winning the awards. For example, in 20004, the IG Nobel Prize was given to Mr. Inoue Daisuke for invention Karaoke. Many other Japanese people have received the awards in the recent past. Actually, Japanese scientists have been winning the Ig Nobel Prize for more than 10 years in a new.
Every September, the award ceremony is held at Harvard University in the U.S. The winners receive the award and make a speech in a big hall at the university. It is filled with scientists and students. They all love science. Afterwards, the audience sees scientific presentations by the winner.
In 2016, two Japanese scientists won the prize. They made the following discover: Things look smaller when you bend over and view them between your legs. It is called matanozoki in Japanese.
In the ceremony, one of the winners, Mr. Higashiyama made a short speech about his research. Later, he made a demonstration of his study matanozoki by himself. Then a group of Ig Nobel winners joined him and they all performed his study on the stage.
At first, the discovery by the Japanese scientists may look silly. However, their study has something humorous and serious too. The Ig Nobel award group says, “ This research makes people laugh and then think. We hope to increase people’s curiosity. We also to ask; what is important and what is not in science? How do you decide?”
By the way, do you know how much money the scientist get by winning the award? Winners of the Nobel Prize receive 9 million Swedish krona. On the other hand, the Ig Nobel Prize winners receive no money. Indeed, they 60 seconds to talk about their research.

Library Lion

One day, a lion came to the library. He walked right past the circulation desk and up into the stacks. Mr. McBee ran down to the head librarian’s office “Miss Merriweather1” he called. “No running,” said Miss Merriweather, without looking up. “But there’s a lion!” said Mr. McBee. “In the library!” “Is he breaking any rules?” asked Miss Merriweather.” “Well, no,” said Mr. McBee. “Then leave him be.”
No one was sure what to do. There weren’t any rules about lions in the library. Soon it was time for story hour. The story lady seemed a little nervous. But she read out the first book’s title in a good, clear voice. The lion looked up. The story lady keep reading. The lion stayed for the next story. And the story after that. He waited for another story, but the children began to walk away. “Story hour is over,” a little girl told him. The lion looked at the children. He looked at the story lady. He looked at the closed books. Then he roared very loud.

Miss Merriweather came out of her office. “who is making that noise?” she demanded. “It’s the lion.” Said Mr.MCBee. Miss Merriweather marched over to the lion. “If you cannot be quiet, you will have to leave,” she said in a stern voice. “Those are the rules!” can he come back for story hour tomorrow?” she asked. Miss Merriweather said, “Yes, A nice, quiet lion would certainly be allowed to come back for story hour tomorrow.”
The next day, the lion came back. “You are early.” Said Miss Merriweather. “Story hour is not until three o’clock.” The lion did not budge. “very well,” said Miss Merriweather. “You might as well make yourself useful.” She sent him off to dust the encyclopedias until it was time for story hour. Soon the lion began doting things without being asked. He dusted the encyclopedias. He licked the envelopes. He let small children sand on his back to reach books on the highest shelves.

At first, the people in the library were nervous about the lion. But soon they got used to having him around. His big feet were quiet on the library floor. He made a comfy backrest for the children at story hour. And he never roared in the library anymore. “What a helpful lion,” people said. “How did we ever get along without him?” Mr. McBee scowled when he heard that. No lions were needs! Lions, he thought, could not understand rules. They did not belong in the library.
One day, Miss Merriweather stepped up onto the step stool. A book was just out of reach. Miss Merriweather stood on her toes. She stretched out her fingers. “Almost..,..there……” she said. Then Miss Merriweather stretched a little too far. “Ouch,” said Miss Merriweather softly. She did not get up. “Mr. McBee!” she clled after s minute. “Mr. McBee!” But he could not hear her. “lion,” said Miss Merriweather. “Please go and get Mr. McBee.” The lion ran down the hall. “No running.” Miss Merriweather called after him.

The lion put his big front paws up on the circulation desk and looked at Mr. McBee. “ Go away, Lion,” said Mr, McBee. “ I’m bisy.” The lion whined. He pointed his nose down the hall toward Miss Merriweather’s office. Mr. McBee ignored him.
Finally, the lion did the only thing he could think of to go. He looked Mr. McBee right in the eye. Then he opened his mouth very wide. And he roared the loudest roar in his life.
“You’re not being quite!” Mr. McBee said to the lion. “you’re breaking the rules!” Mr. McBee walked down the hall as fast as he could. The lion did not follow him. He knew what that meant.
Mr. McBee did not notice. “Miss Merriweather!” he called as he walked. “Miss Merriweather! The lion broke the rules! The lion broke the rules!” He burst Miss Merriweather’s office.

She was not in her chair. “Miss Merriweather?” he asked. “Sometimes,” said miss Merriweather from the floor behind her desk, “ there is a good reason to break the rules. Even in the library. Now please go call a doctor.” Mr. McBee ran to call a doctor. 2No running1” miss Merriweather called after him.
The next day, things were back to normal. Almost. The lion did not come to the library that morning. He did not come the next day, either. Or the day after that.
“Can I do anything for you before I go, Miss Merriweather?” Mr, McBee asked her one evening. “No . thank you.” said Miss Merriweather. Her voice was very quiet. Even for the library. Mr. McBee thought there probably was something he could do for Miss Merriweather, after all. He left the library. But he did not go home. He walked around the neighborhood. He looked under cars. He looked behind bushes. He looked in backyards and trash cans and tree houses. Finally he circled all the way back to the library. The lion was sitting outside, looking in through the glass doors.

“Hello, lion,” said Mr, Mcbee. The lion did not turn around. “ I thought you might like to know, ” said Mr, McBee, “that there’s a new rule at the library. No roaring allowed, unless you have a very good reason---say, you’re trying to help a hurt friend, for example.” The lion turned around. But Mr. McBee was already walking away.
The next day, Mr, Mcbee walked down the hall to Miss Merriweather’s office. “ what is it. Mr, McBee?” asked Miss Merriweather in her new, sad, quiet voice. “I thought you might like to know,” said Mr. McBee, “ that there’s a lion. In the library.
Miss Merriweather jumped up from her chair and ran down the hall. Mr. McBee smiled. “No running!” he called after her. Miss Merriweather didn’t listen.
Sometimes there was a good reason to break the rules. Even in the library.

Why did Miss Merriweather let the lion stay in the library?
Because he didn’t break any rules.
Why are there no rules about lions in the library?
Because no one thinks that a lion will visit the library.
What did Miss Merriweather want the lion to do if he wanted to stay?
She wanted him to be quiet.
How did the lion help people in the library?
He dusted the encyclopedias. He licked the envelopes. He let small children stand on his back to reach hooks on the highest shelves.
What happened to Miss Merriweather in the office?
She fell from the step stool.
If you were Mr, McBee, how would you feel about the lion?
If I were Mr. McBee, I would feel happy about the lion.
Why did the lion roar the loudest in his life?
Because Mr. McBee ignored him. Because he wanted to help Miss Merriweather.
What did breaking the rules mean for the lion?
It meant that the lion had to leave the library.
Why did Miss Merriweather say, “there is s good reason to break the rules?”
Because the lion broke the rulers to help her.
Why did Mr. McBee walk around the neighborhood?
To look for the lion.
What did Mr. Mcbee want to tell the lion?
He wanted to tell the lion to come back to the library.
What is the most important things you learned from this story?
I learned that it is the most important to help friends.

日本の英語教育を根源的に変革する「中学生のための草の葉メソッドによる日本英語の私塾」が間もなく開塾する。入塾する生徒はたった一人だろう。