Mostrando resultados por autor "Nankichi Niimi" en Todas las categorías

The trumpet is a heartwarming tale by beloved Japanese children’s author Nankichi Niimi. An elderly man lived alone in the countryside. As his hearing worsened, he asked his son in the city to find a machine to help him hear again. The son searched everywhere but couldn’t afford a proper device. Instead, he sent his father a trumpet with simple instructions: “Hold it upside down to your ear and listen from the back.” What happened next? This touching story of love, creativity, and the bond between a poor father and son is perfect for reading aloud to children.

Transforming into Geta is a playful and imaginative tale by famed Japanese children’s author Nankichi Niimi. In a quiet village beside a flowing river, a mother raccoon sat beneath the alders, teaching her baby the art of transformation. “When you become a monk,” she said, “you must wear the proper robe. When you become a samurai, wear a topknot, grow a beard, and carry a sword.” But what happens when the little raccoon tries to transform… into a pair of wooden clogs? This whimsical tale brings traditional Japanese folklore to life with humor and heart. Perfect for reading aloud...

Whose Shadow Is It? is a quiet and curious story by renowned Japanese children’s author Nankichi Niimi. In the center of a town square, a mysterious round shadow appeared. Two children walking by stopped and looked at it. “What kind of shadow is this?” one asked. “I wonder what it could be,” said the other. And so begins a gentle journey of discovery. Perfect for reading aloud to spark curiosity and imagination.

One day, a green frog and a yellow frog happened to meet in the middle of a field. “You’re yellow—what a dirty color,” said the green frog. “You’re green—do you think that’s beautiful?” replied the yellow frog. Their words led to a quarrel, and soon, they were fighting. What happened next? This short, thoughtful story gently explores themes of prejudice, pride, and learning to understand one another. Perfect for reading aloud to children.

The Snail Song is a gentle and nostalgic tale by beloved Japanese children’s author Nankichi Niimi. The king noticed a snail slowly crawling along a stone wall one morning. As he watched, he remembered a song he sang as a child about snails. “Snail, snail, stalk out your horn, I think...” But try as he might, he couldn’t remember the rest of the song. So he turned to his servants and asked, “Do you know the snail song?” What happened next? This story stirs childhood memories and gentle curiosity—a perfect read-aloud for children.

The Goose’s Birthday is a charming short tale by celebrated Japanese children’s author Nankichi Niimi. Many animals lived in the backyard of a farmer’s house—a duck, a goose, a guinea pig, a rabbit, a weasel, and more. One day, the goose decided to throw a birthday feast and invited all the animals to join. Everyone was ready to celebrate—except for one thing. They weren’t sure whether to ask the weasel. Why the hesitation? Perfect for reading aloud to children.

This rare and insightful essay by renowned Japanese children's author Nankichi Niimi offers a thoughtful critique of the limitations placed on creative storytelling—particularly in broadcast media. In the essay, Niimi reflects on the rigid conditions imposed on writers when submitting radio plays: the story must be completed in 30 minutes, include a specific number of characters, be cheerful and wholesome, express national identity, and—though vaguely defined—must also be artistically excellent. Niimi questions how true inspiration can flourish under such constraints, touching on the ...

Tulips is a tender, realistic short story by celebrated Japanese children’s author Nankichi Niimi. Two young schoolgirls are walking home together. One proudly shows the tulips blooming beautifully in her yard and promises to give her friend one of the bulbs. But then—something unexpected happens. This gentle story captures the emotions of growing up and is perfect for reading aloud to children.

Tree Festival is a gentle and poetic story by celebrated Japanese children’s author Nankichi Niimi. A tree covered in beautiful white blossoms stood in the middle of a vast green field. The tree was proud of its lovely appearance—but with no one around to admire it, it began to feel lonely and unappreciated. Then, one day, the wind carried the scent of its flowers far and wide, drawing insects from all around. The tree discovered the quiet joy of nature’s connections through this unexpected gathering. A celebration of life, nature, and quiet happiness—this story is perfect for ...

The Day I Return from the Sea is a rare and introspective essay by beloved Japanese children's author Nankichi Niimi, best known for his fairy tales. In this poetic and deeply personal reflection, Niimi explores his past's uncertainties and the present's quiet clarity. He writes of the unshakable truth that one's heart and life belong to oneself alone, beyond the reach of others, even emperors like Nero. He affirms a renewed sense of hope and personal determination through vivid imagery and gentle conviction. This essay offers readers a rare window into the inner world of a writer wrestling...

"Gon the Fox" is Nankichi Niimi's most famous children's book. It is often included in textbooks at elementary schools in Japan. He published this work at 18, and like Gon, he had a lonely childhood. Therefore, it is thought that he may have depicted the meaning of his existence through this little fox.

The Fox’s Messenger is a whimsical short story by beloved Japanese children’s author Nankichi Niimi. In Japanese folklore, foxes are magical creatures capable of transforming into humans, often appearing as beautiful women. They can be clever tricksters, mysterious visitors, or even kind-hearted protectors. But the fox in this story is slightly different—perhaps a bit foolish and certainly amusing. Filled with charm and gentle humor, this tale is perfect for reading aloud to children and offers a lighthearted take on one of Japan’s most famous mythical animals.

This is a heartwarming micro-story by beloved Japanese children’s author Nankichi Niimi. Three stars quarreled high in the sky on a cold winter night as the wind howled around them. Though they were usually the best of friends, the middle star kept saying, “It’s cold, it’s cold,” which led the other two to start teasing him. Down below, in a frozen rice field, a night heron cried out. Then, without a sound, the middle star quietly began to fall. What happened next? It is a gentle, imaginative tale perfect for bedtime reading. Ideal for young children, this very short fairy tale ...

The Found Trumpet is a very short fairy tale written by beloved Japanese author Nankichi Niimi. Once upon a time, there was a lonely young man. He had no family—no father, mother, or siblings—and lived quietly alone. But deep inside, he longed to do something remarkable, to become someone great. One day, he discovered a trumpet. And then... what happened next? This touching, imaginative tale is perfect for reading aloud to children, inspiring dreams of hope and purpose.

"Mandarin Ducks" is a fairy tale by Nankichi Niimi that likens true love between a man and a woman to a pair of Mandarin ducks. A haggard young man gazes upon the loving Mandarin duck couple every day, and then, suddenly, by a spring in the forest, an old man with a white beard appears and speaks to him. The old man is a spring hermit. This book is a fantastical story reminiscent of an old Chinese legend.

Written by renowned children's author Nankichi Niimi, Bamboo Shoots is a gentle and whimsical tale perfect for reading aloud to children. The story follows a curious young bamboo shoot growing underground, eager to explore the world. But its mother, the tall bamboo, warns it gently: "Don't go too far. If you leave the bushes, you'll be trampled by horses." What will the bamboo shoot do next? A charming, brief fairy tale with a touch of wisdom—ideal for young readers and bedtime storytelling.

Written by renowned Japanese children’s author Nankichi Niimi, The Butterfly That Followed is a gentle, poetic tale . On a street corner, an old man sells colorful balloons—red, blue, yellow, and purple—swaying softly in the wind. Every day, a little white butterfly visits the balloons and spends the whole day with them. Among them all, it shares a special friendship with the tiniest red balloon. What happened next to the red balloon and the white butterfly? This simple, heartwarming story invites children and adults alike to imagine and dream. Ideal for reading aloud to children.

It is a gentle and poetic story by beloved children’s author Nankichi Niimi. Spring had arrived in the countryside—cherry blossoms and birds were singing. But deep in the mountains, winter still lingered, with snow remaining on the peaks. There, a deer family lived quietly. The fawn, not yet a year old, had never seen spring. “Father, what is spring-like?” the little deer asked. It is a tender, thoughtful tale about the changing seasons and a child’s curiosity. Perfect for bedtime reading and sharing with young children.

Bear Cub is a heartwarming mini-tale by beloved children's author Nankichi Niimi. A hunter suddenly realizes he's forgotten his hat—perhaps he left it under the tree where he rested? But when he looks back, what he sees is not what he expected… This very short fairy tale, filled with quiet surprise and charm, is perfect for reading aloud to children.

In this gentle story by Nankichi Niimi, young Taro catches a rhinoceros beetle and sets off to visit his friends, hoping they can teach him fun ways to play with it. As he goes from house to house, he experiences moments of growing up—encountering minor pains, quiet loneliness, and the bittersweetness of a summer day. It is a tender tale of childhood and change, perfect for reading aloud to children.