The Dog of Flanders
New Everyday English 3 (Showa 56) pg. 64-71
| The Dog of Flanders | |
|---|---|
| フランダースの犬 | |
| Details | |
| Word count | 594 |
| Book | New Everyday English |
| Grade | 3 |
| Year | 1981 |
Nello and his grandfather lived in a little village in Flanders. Nello's grandfather was so old that he could not work in his shop.
One day the grandfather found a dying dog on the road. He took the dog to his small house. The dog was very sick. The grandfather told Nello to take care of the dog. Nello named the dog Pat. They became good friends.
When Pat got well, he began to help Nello. Nello and the dog worked day after day. They sold milk to the people in town. They worked so hard that the grandfather did not have to work.
Usually Nello's work was over by three o'clock. After that he was free. He often went out to the fields with Pat. While it was still light, the dog liked to jump around on the green grass.
No one knew that Nello was good at drawing. Pat often saw the pictures that Nello drew on stones with chalk.
In the center of the city there was a church near the train station. Nello often went to the church to see the pictures by Rubens. He likes Rubens best.
A little girl named Ann lived near Nello's house. She often came to the fields to play with Nello and Pat.
One day Nello drew a portrait of Ann. When he was finished drawing, Ann's father came along. He stood behind Nello. He saw the portrait of his daughter. It was drawn very well.
Ann's father said, "This is quite like Ann. Please sell it to me." He took out some money from his pocket.
"Oh, no. I haven't drawn it for money. I'll give it to you," said Nello.
Now Nello had a secret which only Pat knew. He began to draw a large picture for a drawing contest. The town newspaper said that every child in Flanders could take part in the contest. Nello had to draw his picture in black, because he could not spend the money for other colors.
In the spring Nello began to draw the picture, and in early December he finished it. It was the picture of an old man sitting on a fallen tree. He took it to the City Hall.
It was December 24th. Nello said to Pat, "They will announce the winner of the contest at noon today."
They went to the City Hall. On the steps and in the hall there were a lot of people. The City Hall was too crowed for Nello to enter.
The winners's name was announced, but it was not his. His last hope was lost. He was hungry and tired. He fell down.
It began to snow. Nello opened his eyes after some time. He stood up slowly. He said, "It's all over, dear Pat. I want to see the pictures by Rubens again."
It was difficult for them to walk to the church in the snow. But Nello was very happy, when he saw the pictures by Rubens again.
The next morning people found that both Nello and Pat lay on the floor of the church. Light came in through the window and fell on Nello's face.
When people were talking, there came a famous painter. He said, "I'm looking for the child who drew the picture in black. It was a picture of an old man sitting on a fallen tree. The child has great talent. I want to take him with me and teach him art. Does anyone know where the child is?"
No one answered. Only Nello's face seemed to speak.
