課題部門

最優秀賞

中完喜 さん（北海道２年）

優秀賞

石阪かおり さん（東京都３年）

優良賞

三堀翔子 さん（東京都２年）

会話部門

最優秀賞

太期壮太郎 さん（千葉県３年）

山口昭彦 さん（千葉県２年）

優秀賞

古川あずさ さん（佐賀県２年）

古澤貴子 さん（佐賀県２年）

優良賞

長嶋春樹 さん（東京都３年）

竹内克宏 さん（東京都２年）

自由スピーチ部門

最優秀賞

石垣由美 さん（宮城県３年）

優秀賞

佐藤秀美 さん（東京都２年）

優良賞

嵯峨菜月 さん（北海道３年）

最優秀賞　石垣由美さんの作品

Thank You, Mom

About 15 years ago, my mother came down with a very high fever. The doctor told my parents, "It's even chances that she will get well, and I'm afraid for the unborn baby. Before long, I was born premature.

My mother is a very bright and cheerful woman. She is kind to everyone, and she always smiles. I am lucky to have such a nice mother. But I didn't always feel this way.

I still remember Parents' Day when I was a first-grade elementary student. I felt troubled, and wondered, "Why is my mom different from other moms? Why isn't she Japanese, like them?"

Once when I asked her questions about my language homework, she only said, "I'm sorry, I don't know that." I thought, if only my mother were Japanese, I could ask her lots of questions about my language class. If only we could converse together happily in Japanese, like other families. I actually felt that a Japanese mother would be better.

Then, when I was a sixth grader, my mother became sick again. She suffered dizzy spells, and often fainted. My father and I took her to the hospital, where she received a complete check-up. The result was bad. The doctor said, "She needs an operation if she is to live." My mother had cancer.

I cried and cried after we returned home. "My mother may die, and I can't do anything for her. Why did I ever wish my mother were Japanese? How could I think such a thing?" A sense of guilt, mixed with sadness, weighed heavy on my mind. I couldn't concentrate on my studies. I felt so lonely at home.

I had to do the housework my mother usually did. Soon, I realized how much housework she does. It was very hard work. Every day, I cleaned the house, cooked dinner, and did the wash. Of course, my father helped me, but it was still difficult. I thought, "Mom has done so much for us. But I didn't appreciate her at all." Tears ran down my face.

On the day of my mother's operation, we prayed for her. When we heard the news that it was a success, I jumped for joy. "We can live together as a family again," I thought. I was so happy.

Looking back, I realize that my mother's hospitalization taught me three important things. First, how precious my mother is, and how much I have to appreciate her. Second, how hard my mother works for us. Finally, I learned that it doesn't matter where she is from. My mother is my mother, and she is very dear to me.

I nearly lost my mother. I want to help her in any way I can. And I am thankful for every day we have together.

But some of my friends told me they don't speak to their parents much. Today, I would like to ask my friends and everybody here, "Please take the time to speak with your parents, because they are your treasures. Please respect them and help them as much as you can."

I hope I can continue to learn many things from my mother.

"Thank you, mom."

優秀賞　佐藤秀美さんの作品

Reading Rocks!

Do you like to read books? I love reading, but I know many kids my age who don’t like to read. I heard of a survey taken of junior high school students on how many books they read in a month. I was shocked when I heard that they read an average of only 2.5 books a month.

I lived in the United States for seven years, and came back to Japan three years ago. What really caught my eye then were young people reading comic books or magazines, or playing video games on trains. Hardly any of them were reading books.

When I started going to school in Japan, I was stunned to see a small shelf in the classroom only about half filled with books. I was also disappointed when I learned that there was no reading time at school every day. In the U.S., I remember having a shelf filled with hundreds of books in every classroom. The teachers encouraged us to read whenever there was time.

Back then, I had much time to read and sometimes spent the whole evening just sitting on the couch reading. But now, I leave for school early in the morning and return late after my club activities, so I hardly have enough time to even sleep!

What I do is to always keep one book of mine in the bathroom and read. There is one problem, however. If I get too absorbed, I spend too much time and the next person who wants to use the bathroom gets pretty upset with me.

I think reading books is very important. President Ikeda says that by using your imagination, books can take you to any time or to any country. He says books are one of the greatest inventions in history.

I really agree. Whenever I feel lonely, I can make friends with the characters inside the story. Whenever I feel bored, books take me on a thrilling adventure. I think it’s even better than the time machine or “Doraemon’s Door to Anywhere” put together!

People who don’t like to read, should at least try, starting off with books about things that interest them. President Ikeda advises that you need to “practice” reading to really enjoy it. Then, the small black letters in the book will transform into green trees, red and yellow flowers and into beautiful white snowflakes. I really think so, too.

When I grow up, I want to work in foreign countries and use my English skills. Since returning to Japan, my English level has dropped. When I tell this to my English teachers, they all say, “Keep reading English books!” So I will keep reading to make my dream come true.

President Ikeda says that the “world is our stage.” What I can do now so that I can work for people throughout the world some day is to continue studying English.

The theme for this speech contest is “Toward the next 50 years.” In the next 50 years, we will be the leaders of world peace. What each of us can do now is to study hard and read many good books…and be winners 50 years from now!

優良賞　嵯峨菜月さんの作品

Thank You, Hanako

Hanako died two years ago. It was as though she had gone to sleep, under the warm, spring sunshine.

My family and I are dog lovers. When I was born, Hanako was already part of our family. And now, we have another dog, Koume. But it was Hanako, a small, white dog, who touched me with her courage, vitality and gentleness.

I became aware that Hanako was growing old when she turned 17. A dog's life span is about 12 years. Hanako ran around with vigor, and was spry for an old female dog. But before we knew it, her condition declined. My family soon became tired of taking care of her, and our attitude toward her cooled. Finally, we started arguing about Hanako.

I wondered what Hanako?who no longer had use of her legs?thought about our fights, or about our attitude toward her. As I held her tight, Hanako seemed to say, "I am sorry. I am sorry to cause so much trouble." I felt miserable about how we were treating her. Until then, Hanako had helped and supported us. But we were treating her harshly. Hanako, you really wanted to run and play, didn't you? And yet, you always stood by me even when I had a bad day at school and argued with mom.

I decided that this time, I would care for Hanako.

I stared into the yard where we used to play together and held her tight. Hanako grew colder and colder in my arms. I said to myself, "I won't cry, because I did the best I could for you." But memories of Hanako caused my eyes to fill with tears.

We decided to bury her in the yard with her favorite dog food, her orange cloth, her collar and her towel. I couldn't stop crying as we watched Hanako slowly being buried. My mother rarely cries. But she stood crying while calling out, "Thank you, Hanako, thank you."

Today, when I look into the yard, I still find myself talking to her, "Hanako, are you at peace now?" When I see pictures of her, my eyes fill with tears. But it may be a good thing, because it means in my heart, Hanako still lives.

Hanako, I will never forget you. Her small, yet warm life lived and died beside me. Hanako lives on in my heart. Hanako, you still want to play with us, don't you? When we are reborn, we can be together again. Until then, please watch over me closely.

Thank you, Hanako.