動物たちの、あつい一句

リスのリッキー、ウサギのウーちゃん、クマのクーちゃんは、暑さと戦います。

リッキーは、「木の上で　風をあつめて　くるみ冷やす」木の高い枝にくるみを並べ、風通しの良い場所で自然冷却を試みます。しかし、昼を過ぎる頃には、くるみの表面がじんわり熱を帯び、触ると「あちっ！」と跳ねるほど。「風よりも　日差しが強くて　くるみ焼けた」

ウーちゃんは、「耳ひろげ　風をあおいで　みんな冷やす」広場の真ん中で耳を左右にぱたぱたと動かし始めた。まるでうちわのように、風を起こそうと必死に耳を振る。風はほんのりぬるく、むしろ耳の根元が熱を持ち始めた。氷を耳に当てながら、ぽつり。「あおいでも　風はぬるくて　耳が熱い」

クーちゃんも、「川に立ち　サーモン待ちながら　足ひやす」 朝から川に立ち、冷たい水に足を浸していた。水の流れが心地よく、サーモンが来れば、夕飯も涼も一石二鳥！ しかし、日が傾いてもサーモンは現れず、川の音だけが静かに響く。「涼しいが　サーモン来なくて　腹が鳴る」

今日8月25日は、川柳発祥の日。動物たちはそれぞれの“失敗川柳”を胸に、“秋の川柳大会”を楽しみに、新たな知恵を練るのでした。



The Animals’ Hot Senryu Poems


Ricky the squirrel, Woo the rabbit, and Ku the bear are trying to beat the summer heat.

Ricky said: "Up in the tree, I gather wind to cool my walnuts." He placed his walnuts on a high branch, hoping the breeze would cool them down. But by noon, the shells were warm and shiny. When he touched one—“Ouch!” he jumped. "The sun was stronger than the wind. My walnuts got roasted!"

Woo said: "I flap my ears to make wind and cool everyone." In the middle of the field, Woo flapped his big ears left and right like a fan. He tried so hard to make a breeze, but the wind was only warm. His ears started to feel hot. He pressed an ice cube to one ear and whispered, "Even when I flap, the wind is warm and my ears are hot."

Ku said: "I stand in the river, waiting for salmon, cooling my feet." Since morning, Ku stood in the cool water, hoping a salmon would swim by. If one came, he’d have dinner and stay cool—two wins! But even as the sun went down, no salmon appeared. Only the sound of the river flowed quietly. "It feels cool, but no salmon came. My tummy is growling."

Today is August 25th—the day senryu poems were born. Each animal holds their “funny little poem” close to their heart. They are already thinking of new ideas for the Autumn Senryu Contest.


Today's Key Word: senryu
senryu (川柳 / Senryū): A short, funny Japanese poem with 3 lines. Each line has a rhythm of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. Senryu poems are often about everyday life and silly moments.

Example: "Ricky wrote a senryu about hot walnuts!"
例文: 「リッキーは熱いくるみについて川柳 (Senryū) を書きました！」