小さな語りシリーズ2024/07/04　 Small Story Serie

2024/07/04「あこがれ」"Longing"

光り輝く日差しが差し込む朝、少年は早起きをした。今日は父親が工事現場で働く姿を見るためだ。父親は建設業に従事しており、少年にとってはヒーローのような存在だ。

朝食を済ませた少年は、母親に見送られて家を出た。小さな帽子を被り、リュックを背負って、父親の働く現場へと向かう。途中、友達に会い、短い会話を交わすが、少年の心はすでに父親の元へ飛んでいた。

現場に着くと、父親が大きな建設機械を操縦している姿が目に入った。その姿は力強く、頼もしい。少年は少し離れたところから見つめ、父親の動きを一心に追いかけた。汗をかきながら働く父親の背中は、少年にとって誇りであり、目指すべき未来そのものだった。

父親が休憩に入ると、少年はそっと近づいて声をかけた。「お父さん、すごいね！」父親は笑って、少年の頭を撫でた。「お前もいつか、こんな風に働きたいか？」少年は大きく頷いた。

その後、父親と一緒に昼食を食べる時間が訪れた。父親が作ってくれたお弁当を一緒に食べながら、少年は工事現場の話を聞いた。重機の操作方法や現場の危険について、父親は丁寧に教えてくれた。その一つ一つが少年にとっては宝物のように感じられた。

午後、再び父親は仕事に戻り、少年は影からその姿を見守った。強い日差しの中で、父親の背中はますます輝きを増していた。少年の心の中に、父親のようになりたいという「あこがれ」がますます強く刻まれていくのを感じた。

夕方、父親の仕事が終わり、一緒に帰路につく。家に着くと、少年は母親に今日の出来事を興奮気味に話した。父親の姿を見て、自分もいつか同じように働きたいと、胸を張って語った。母親は微笑みながら、少年の頭を撫でた。

その夜、少年はベッドに入りながら、父親の背中を思い浮かべた。いつか自分もあの背中のように強く、頼もしい存在になりたいと、心に誓ったのだった。

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On a summer morning, a young boy looked out the window, the sound of cicadas signaling the arrival of the season. Today, he woke up early to see his father working at a construction site. His father, a construction worker, was a hero to him.

After breakfast, the boy left home, escorted by his mother. Wearing a small hat and carrying a backpack, he headed towards the site. Along the way, he met friends and exchanged brief conversations, but his heart was already with his father.

Arriving at the site, he saw his father operating a large construction machine, a powerful and reliable figure. Watching from a distance, the boy followed his father’s every move. The sight of his father working hard, sweating under the sun, was a source of pride and inspiration for him.

During a break, the boy approached his father. "Dad, you’re amazing!" His father smiled and patted his head. "Do you want to work like this one day?" The boy nodded enthusiastically.

Later, they shared lunch, made by his father. As they ate, his father talked about the construction site, explaining how to operate the machinery and the dangers of the job. Each word was a treasure to the boy.

In the afternoon, his father returned to work, and the boy continued to watch. Under the strong sun, his father's figure shone even more brightly. The boy felt the admiration for his father growing stronger in his heart.

In the evening, after his father’s work was done, they walked home together. At home, the boy excitedly told his mother about the day, proudly expressing his desire to work like his father. His mother smiled and patted his head.

That night, as the boy lay in bed, he thought of his father's back, resolving to become as strong and reliable as him one day.