KAPIL, THE BOOKLOVER
Written by Manorama Jafa
English text by Yuko Saito and Lawrence Schimel
A long time ago, in India, there lived a boy named Kapil, who loved reading more than anything else. Each morning when he awoke, he would pick up a book and start reading. And once he started reading, he completely forgot the world around him. Therefore, his mother made him promise not to open a book before finishing his share of the household chores.
One morning, Kapil noticed a new book lying on the table. He became very excited and reached for it―but he remembered his promise to his mother. He hurried through his duties as fast as he could, all the while thinking about the new book. When his chores were finally completed, he ran to the table and picked up the new book. He opened it and began reading it right away, still standing in front of the shelf. He didn't even wait to sit down!
"Kapil! Kapil!" his mother called to him from the kitchen, again and again. But of course he did not hear, he was so absorbed in reading. Kapil's mother found him standing before the table and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Oh, did you call me?" Kapil asked, looking up at her.
"Of course I called you, my dear bookworm. A hundred times. Go tell your father that breakfast is ready."
"Yes, mother," Kapil said.
He tucked the book beneath his arm and headed for the fields where his father was working.
―― 以下略 ――
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