紙コップの中の鉛筆削りカス　(英語版) ー　　　　　　　　　　　Pencil Shavings in a Paper Cup

I will play the taishogoto at a Christmas party for a welfare group.
Many of the participants are blind or have low vision.
I join as a volunteer, yet I always feel that I receive more than I give.

For the first time in a while, I practiced at home.
When I looked up, I saw a paper cup.
Inside were pencil shavings.

They were from a pencil my six-year-old grandson sharpened
during his one-month stay at a Japanese elementary school.
They lived in another apartment during that time.
It has been exactly two weeks since we said goodbye.

People say,
“When grandchildren come, you are happy.
When they leave, you are happy again.”

I did feel tired.
I had just recovered from a bad cold.
I spent my days with a six-year-old boy,
a four-year-old in kindergarten,
and sometimes held a four-month-old baby.

And yet—
those tiny pencil shavings brought everything back.
Scenes and conversations returned like a revolving lantern.

The six-year-old was welcomed into a first-grade class.
On his final day, he gave a thank-you speech—
without knowing in advance that he would do so.

His father, my son, wrote the script,
made slides, and practiced with him.
With the kindness of his teacher,
he showed paper slides to the class
and spoke in Japanese.

“Thank you for letting me be part of your class for one month.
The horizontal bar and floor mats were very interesting.
We do not have them in New Zealand.
Please come to New Zealand someday.
Thank you very much.”

He bowed.

Many children were surprised by his Japanese
and asked him to say it again.

His indoor shoes were size 21 centimeters.
Both of his parents are tall.
How tall will he grow, I wonder.

In New Zealand,
children do not use pencils or sharpeners at school.
Is he studying his favorite subject, math, right now?
Is he getting along well with his friends?

If possible,
I hope to live long enough
to quietly watch these children grow.

December 13, 2025

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#Grandchildren
#FamilyMemories
#InternationalFamily
#LifeInNewZealand
#ElementarySchool
#Volunteering
#Taishogoto
#ChristmasEvent
#GrandmotherLife
#EverydayMoments

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