Page 114 - English Expedition Class 4

Reem’s mother put her paintbrush
down and said, ‘Sure. Come sit down.’
The children sat on the sofa while
Reem’s mother continued, ‘Sadako’s

story is so touching. She has a memorial 5
in her honour at a park in Japan. At the
memorial people still fold paper cranes
in the memory of those who died due

to radiation sickness.’
‘But why cranes?’ asked Taher
curiously.
‘In Japan, cranes are considered
6
auspicious . Like the dragon or the
tortoise, they are believed to live for a
thousand years. Some say that a person
who successfully folds a thousand paper

cranes is granted one wish. Some others
say that folding cranes brings good luck,
health and recovery from illness to the
person who folds them,’ said Revathi.

‘A thousand paper cranes are so many! Where do they keep them?’ asked Taher,
concerned.
‘The paper cranes are first folded and then tied together with strings. They are also
used as decorations in homes and are popular gifts in Japan,’ said Revathi.

‘Do paper cranes really bring good luck, Mother?’ asked Reem.
‘I would like to believe that they do,’ replied her mother. ‘Today they are also a
7
symbol of world peace and harmony .’
8
The conversation was interrupted by Revathi’s father who asked the children to
have lunch.
‘Come children – Revathi, you too – let’s hear more of your stories over lunch.’
‘Yes, Papa,’ said Revathi, ‘come children, I’ll tell you about a very famous origami
master next.’

The excited children washed their hands and ran to the table immediately.
Revathi began, ‘There was a man in Japan called Akira Yoshizawa. He worked at
a factory and his job was to teach his juniors basic geometry. To make teaching and

5 memorial: (here) a statue constructed to remind people 7 harmony: a situation in which people live without any
about a person or an event violence or disagreement
6 auspicious: lucky 8 interrupted: made to stop for a short period
104