Unit 2 I think that mooncakes are delicious!(同步阅读)Ako from Japan）(书籍音频+Word)-九年级英语教材同步单元主题阅读（人教版

CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD COLLECTION AKO FROM JAPAN Author: Olivier Dupin Illustrator: Adora Editor in chief: Galia van der Kar - Lami Dozo Layout: Jérémy Lurquin Translation: Joanna Neville Proofreading: Emma Peyton Stretched out in bed, Dan dozes. Although it's early, it is already light; because it's springtime. The young boy gets up and rummages around in his drawers. Today is a special day. For a special day, a special outfit! In place of his school uniform, Dan dons a traditional samurai's costume. He does this once a year, for Kodomo no hi. Kodomo no hi is a children's festival. Long ago, it was the day when fathers gave their sons a piece of samurai armour. Nowadays, there are no more samurai, other than toy ones. Dan owns the best samurai figure of all! He has named it, Takamori. Takamori reigns supreme on top of Dan's chest of drawers. Every year, Dan's father, a follower of tradition, makes by hand a piece of armour for him. Today Dan is hoping to receive a helmet. But… Takamori is nowhere to be seen. Dan is furious! He hates people touching his things. Especially things in his bedroom. He strides purposefully towards the kitchen. As he gets closer, he inhales the sweet aroma of cooked rice and red beans. Dan recognises this smell: the popular Kashiwa-mochi, rice buns filled with a delicious, sweet red-bean purée. Delicacies that Dan's mum makes just once a year. year, they are one of Dan's favourite treats. Dan sees his sister Hitomi kneeling on a cushion at the low table, wrapping the Kashiwa-mochi in oak leaves. "Hitomi, did you take my samurai?" Hitomi can be mischievous, but she never tells lies. The little girl shakes her head and continues with her work. Dan catches sight of his mother through the kitchen window. She is pushing a bamboo pole down into the lawn. Dan goes out to join her. "Good morning, Dan," his mother greets him. "Can you help me? I can't seem to attach the paper koi carp." Dan is pleased to help. This is the first time the young boy has hung the paper fish himself. Koi carp are the emblem of Kodomo no hi. Once attached to the bamboo pole, the carp fill with air and soar gracefully. "Mum, have you seen my samurai, Takamori?" "No, sorry son. I haven't seen it anywhere." Dan is upset. Takamori is without question his most prized possession. He goes back inside, takes off his shoes and runs to take refuge in his bedroom. A moment later, his mother comes to find him. "I know you're sad. I know what might make you feel better," she adds, nodding towards the bathroom. Dan understands. He follows his mother and takes off his outfit. Bathing in water sprinkled with iris leaves is a Kodomo no hi tradition. The aroma spreads, enveloping Dan. In the warm bath, the boy's anxiety begins to subside. Lunchtime approaches. Dan's father, who has been busy in his workshop, joins his wife and children. Hitomi proudly serves him one of her rice buns. Dan proudly points out the carp he hung up in the garden. Dan doesn't dare to mention his samurai. How can he admit that he's lost it? All of a sudden, Dan notices that his bun has disappeared from his plate! Dan turns around to see Bento, his dog, helping himself to the red-bean bun. What a rascal! A thought crosses Dan's mind. Could that scallywag Bento have pinched his samurai figure? Dan runs outside to search Bento's kennel. He finds a variety of objects pilfered by Bento: one of Hitomi's old cuddly toys, a half-eaten apple, a chewed wooden spoon and even one of dad's wooden sandals! But no Takamori. Dan goes back inside with a heavy heart. When he reaches the kitchen, everyone has vanished. "We're in your bedroom, Dan!" calls his father. Dan hurries there and finds his family lined up in front of the chest of drawers that usually sports his samurai. Miraculously, Takamori has returned! The figure is decked out in a magnificent shiny helmet and even – joy of joys – a katana sword! Dan had thought of everything… except for the surprise his father had been planning. Takamori hadn't been lost; he had gone to the workshop to get ready for the Kodomo no hi festival! SOME INFORMATION ABOUT JAPAN Japan is called "the country of the rising sun". It's situated to the east of the Asian continent, and the sun rises east each morning. Japan's territory is occupied by up to three-quarters of mountains. Its main peak is the famous Mount Fuji. There are also lots of volcanoes. Fighting sports play a big role in Japanese culture. Judo, karate, aikido and kendo were created in Japan. Samurai were Japanese warriors from the Middle Ages. They were equivalent to knights. Today is a very special day: it's Kodomo No Hi, the Children's Day. Indeed, Ako should receive the last elements of the armour of his little samurai that he has patiently completed, year after year. But his little samurai has gone missing! Will he manage to find it and get it back? Are you ready to go on an incredible journey in the country of the Rising Sun to find outthe day-to-day life of Ako, our little Japanese boy? 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $$null