2-07 Second-Year Boy
On March 11th, we were at school as usual. We went to the gym to rehearse for the third-year students’ graduation ceremony. Then, at 2:46 PM, we were struck by tragedy. It was an earthquake and soon teachers were shouting for us to evacuate. We ran and evacuated to higher ground. At once, the hometown that we loved turned to a blue tsunami. I felt like it was a dream. Then we went to Futsukaichi Community Center and soon I started to worry about my family. What had happened to my mother, older brother and grandmother? All I could do was to keep telling myself that all my family was safe.
Around the time I got hungry, people from the neighborhood made rice, takuan [1] pickles, and udon [2] for us, and I was so glad. It was so delicious because it was made with love. In times of trouble, even strangers are all in the same boat. My house still remained, so after that, I went back home and slept because I was tired. The next morning, I woke up, and realizing that it hadn’t been a dream, felt the terror of the tsunami once again. I think the Great East Japan Earthquake is an earthquake nobody anywhere will forget, an earthquake that mustn’t be forgotten. Not only did our house lack gas, electricity and running water, but it felt like our and our house’s spirit had been lost. I thought I couldn’t just let things be, so I turned over a new leaf and decided to try to do the best I could. Then food, clothes, and many other kinds of things arrived from people around Japan, which was a big help. We were able to get the bare minimum to eat and bare essentials for life. I really appreciated it.
By continuing to persevere like this, the bonds between all my family members have deepened. As our team work strengthened, I felt that my spirit was growing stronger, which made me so happy. Just as I had been thinking I wanted a way out of this unpredictable situation, I was so happy to get the news that school would start again from April 20th. However, I was worried about where we would have classes, but we were able to use a school building at Yahagi Junior High School. So, April 20th arrived and we started at a new school. When I saw the school building, it was so nice and it was the best place for us. School had started for the 27 members of the new second-year class.
I was able to have fun talking or hanging out with my friends, so I was willing to do my best this year. Four students transfered to our class, bringing the total to 31, and we had a lot of happy times, sad times, and even times when we were told off. Next year, this class will be the oldest students and represent Kesen Junior High School. I’d like to do my best so we can become third-year students who can take a central role in various events and lead others.
Never forgetting the Great East Japan Earthquake, I’ll do my best at school, and I think that it would be great if I could give something back to everyone in Japan, even if it’s just a little.
2-07 中２男子
３月１１日、ぼくたちはふつうの学校生活をおくっていました。そして、３年生の卒業式練習をするために体育館に行きました。そしたら、午後２時４６分ぼくたちは、ひげきにおそわれました。地震があり、すぐに先生たちに「ひなんしろ。」と言われました。走って高いところにひなんしました。そのすぐに、ぼくたちの愛していたふるさとが青い色の津波になっていました。それは、夢なんじゃないかと思いました。そして、二日市公民館にひなんして、すぐに家族の人が心配になりました。今お母さん、お兄ちゃん、おばあちゃんはどうなっているのだろう。自分の家族は大丈夫だと自分に言いきかせるしかなかったです。
お腹がすいてきたころ、きんじょの人たちがお米やたくあん、うどんなどを作ってくれてとてもうれしかったし、愛情がこもっていて、とてもおいしかったです。他の人でも、つらい時は、おたがいさまです。それから、ぼくは、家が残っていたので、家に帰り、つかれたので、ねました。次の朝起きてみたら夢じゃなかったことに気付き、あらためて津波のきょうふをあじわいました。どこの誰にとってもあの東日本大震災は忘れない、忘れちゃいけない震災になったと思います。
家のガス、電気、水はもちろんのこと、自分や家族の心までもが失われたような気がしました。これじゃいけないと気を入れかえてがんばろうと決意しました。そしたら、全国のみなさんからの食べ物や服さまざまなものがきてとても助かりました。最低限の食事や最低限の生活ができるようになりました。本当にありがとうございました。
こんな生活をがんばって続けると家族全員の絆も深くなりました。チームワークが強くなると自分の心もだんだん強くなっていく感じがしてとてもうれしかったです。
いつ、どうなるか分からない状態から早く抜け出したいと思っていたから、学校が４月２０日から始まると言われてとてもうれしかったです。でも場所はどこでやるのだろうと思っていたら矢作中学校さんの校舎をお借りできることになったのです。そして、４月２０日になり新しい学校生活が始まりました。校舎を見ると、とても立派でぼくたちにとって最高の場所でした。新しく気仙中学校２年生２７人の生活がはじまりました。みんなと楽しい話楽しい遊びなどできてこの一年がんばってみようと言う気になれました。４人転校してきて、３１人となったこの学級は、楽しいこと、悲しいこと、おこられることがいっぱいありました。このクラスも来年は気仙中学校を代表する最高学年です。いろいろなことを中心となって、引っぱっていける３年生になれるようにがんばりたいです。この東日本大震災のことを忘れずにこれからの学校生活をがんばっていきたいし、全国のみなさんにも少しでも恩返しができるといいなぁと思います。
1. Pickled daikon radish often served alongside other pickled vegetables as a side dish or snack
2. A thick wheat flour noodle, often eaten in a simple hot broth with toppings
