Neko

It is some time ago now, nevertheless, while I was in school I had one elective class each week that was devoted simply to writing. Even though I like to write in English I was surprised to find that I liked writing in Japanese too. Sometimes it is frustrating in that you want to express something but lack the ability, but generally I enjoyed it. I remember working through this exercise, (we were given the pictures and had to make up the story), chuckling here, smirking there, thoroughly enjoying my astonishing wit and the prose I was weaving. I thought I would post a sample of something I wrote in class and you my faithful readers can enjoy my brilliance for yourself. I must admit something may be lost in the translation, so for anyone who can read Japanese I will include the original text as well, in case you find my chicken scratch on the pictures difficult to read.

ピンポン
おばあさんは「はい、何にか」といいました。
雄猫くんは「今日は、わたくしは山田雄猫ですけど、あなたのせんたくとそうじのしごとにおうぼをします」と答えました。
「でもあなたわ猫ですね」といいました。
「はい。しかしだいたい猫はせんたくとそうじが上手です。」
「どうぞ」
Ding Dong
"Yes what is it?" said Ms Oldlady.
"Good Day, I am Little boy Tomcat Yamada and I am applying for your washing and cleaning job" Little boy Tomcat replied.
"But you are a cat aren't you?" she said.
"Yes. But generally cats are very good at washing and cleaning"
"Please come in"


「インタビューをはじめますか」
「はい、お願いします。」
「なんさいですか」
「四十さい猫年です」
「ああなるほど。　あなたは結婚していますか」
「いいえ、まだですが、こいびとがいます。」
「血液型は何型ですか」
「私はA型です」
「ええ、自分のエプロンがありますか」
「もちろん。ポケットの中です。」
「じゃ今からしごとをはじめましょう」
"Shall we begin the interview?"
"Yes, please."
"How old are you?"
"Forty, cat years."
"Ahh I see. Are you married?"
"No not yet, but I have a girlfriend."
"What blood type are you?"
"I am A type"
"Ahh, Do you have your own apron?"
"Of course, it's in my pocket."
"Well you can start work right away."

山田雄猫はニコニコをしています。
「信じられない」自分に言います。
「ぼくはメイドです」
Tomcat Yamada　is chuckling to himself.
"I don't believe it" he said to himself.
"I am a maid."


雄猫くんはせんたくとそうじはあまり上手ではありません。　雄猫たからです。　しかし、お金がほしいです。人とビールのようにぎゅうにゅうを飲みます。高いちゅうどくですが。
Little boy Tomcat is not very good at cleaning. He is a tom cat after all. But he wants money. Like people and beer he drinks milk. It is an expensive habit.

There you have it. Upon giving it a second reading with a little perspective, I find it akin to something I wrote in grade three. Well no where to go but up I suppose.