Ken finds a hidden forest temple and a treasure with a difficult choice.
JLPT N4 stories are longer and bring in te-form, casual speech, conditionals, and chained verbs. The narratives start adding slight twists — family, hobbies, work, and school told with more nuance.
ある日、ケンは家の近くの森を散歩しています。細くて長い木がたくさんあって、とても涼しいです。ケンが歩いていると、細い道を見つけました。
One day, Ken is taking a walk in the forest near his house. There are many thin and long trees, and it is very cool. As Ken is walking, he found a narrow path.
細い道を進むと、大きな木があって、その中に古い石の扉がありました。扉に、面白そうな絵があります。
When he goes along the narrow path, there was a big tree, and inside it there was an old stone door. On the door, there are interesting-looking pictures.
ケンは、扉を強く押しながら、ゆっくりドアを開けました。ドアを開けると、黒い階段が見えました。ケンは、階段を降りてみます。
Ken, while pushing the door strongly, slowly opened the door. When he opened the door, he could see black stairs. Ken tries going down the stairs.
階段を降りると、小さなお寺を見つけました。お寺の入口に、箱があって、箱の中はキラキラしています。宝物があるようです。
When he goes down the stairs, he found a small temple. At the entrance of the temple, there is a box, and inside the box it is sparkling. It seems there is a treasure.
宝箱の中に、金のコインやアクセサリー、きれいな石があります。ケンは、初めて宝箱を見たので、ワクワクしています。
Inside the treasure box, there are gold coins, accessories, and beautiful stones. Since Ken is seeing a treasure box for the first time, he is excited.
ケンは宝物を持ち帰ろうとします。けど、重かったので、諦めました。ケンは、出口を探します。
Ken tries to take the treasure home. But, since it was heavy, he gave up. Ken looks for the exit.
ケンは、石の扉を開けて、外に出ました。「また今後、ここに戻って、宝物を取りに来よう」とケンは思いました。
Ken opened the stone door and went outside. “I’ll come back here again in the future and come to get the treasure,” Ken thought.
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