A Trip to a Hot Summer – Tetsuko Kuroyanagi

Totto‑Chan and her schoolmates went on a three‑day trip to a hot spring resort in Toi. Her mother allowed her to go after receiving the Headmaster’s letter. The children behaved well during the journey because Tomoe School had taught them good manners through daily life. They enjoyed travelling by train and ship, swimming in the sea, and sitting in the unusual hot spring. They explored the village, listened to ghost stories, and watched a man build a boat. The group photo and all these happy moments made the trip unforgettable.

Conversations

Totto‑Chan Asking Her Mother About the Trip

• Totto‑Chan: Mom, may I go for the school trip?
• Mother: A trip? Where are you going?
• Totto‑Chan: To a hot spring in Toi. Everyone is going.
• Mother: I already got the Headmaster’s letter.
• Totto‑Chan: So… can I go?
• Mother: Yes, dear. It will be a good experience.
• Totto‑Chan: Really? Thank you, Mom!
• Mother: Just be careful and listen to your teachers.
• Totto‑Chan: I will! I’ll behave well.
• Mother: I know you will. Have fun.

Children on the Train

• Headmaster: Children, stay together. Don’t get lost.
• Student 1: Yes, Headmaster!
• Student 2: Look, the train is moving!
• Totto‑Chan: Let’s sit quietly.
• Student 3: We can talk softly, right?
• Student 4: Yes, but no running.
• Totto‑Chan: Tomoe students behave well everywhere.
• Student 1: We don’t want to disturb others.
• Student 2: This trip is already fun!
• Headmaster: I’m proud of all of you.

On the Ship – The “Oops Boy”

• Student 1: The ship is rocking!
• Totto‑Chan: Oh no… I feel a little sick.
• Student 2: Me too…
• Older Boy: Oops!
• Students: (laughing)
• Totto‑Chan: Why are you running like that?
• Older Boy: I’m trying to balance the ship!
• Student 3: That’s so funny!
• Totto‑Chan: I feel better when I laugh.
• Older Boy: Oops… now I feel sick!

Discovering the Hot Spring in the Sea

• Teacher: Children, this is the hot spring.
• Totto‑Chan: But it looks like normal sea water!
• Student 1: Where is the boundary?
• Teacher: There is no boundary. It’s natural.
• Student 2: Let me crouch down…
• Student 2: Wow! Warm water!
• Totto‑Chan: It feels like a hot bath!
• Student 3: This is amazing.
• Student 4: I’ve never seen anything like this.
• Totto‑Chan: This is the best part of the trip!

The Group Photo Trouble

• Headmaster: Everyone, get ready for the photo.
• Student 1: Wait! I need to go to the toilet!
• Headmaster: Hurry, please.
• Student 2: Oh no, my shoes are on the wrong feet!
• Headmaster: Fix them quickly.
• Student 3: I’m tired of standing still.
• Totto‑Chan: Don’t lie down now!
• Student 4: Is the camera ready?
• Headmaster: Almost… is everyone in place?
• All Students: Yes! Finally!

Diaries

Totto‑Chan’s Diary

Dear Diary,

Today was the first day of our trip to Toi, and it was wonderful. I was so happy when Mom allowed me to go. We travelled by train and then by ship. The ship rocked a lot, and I felt sick, but the “Oops boy” made us laugh. When we reached Toi, the sea was shining and the village was quiet. The best part was the hot spring in the sea. When I crouched down, warm water came up to my neck. It felt like a big natural bathtub. At night we listened to ghost stories, and I got scared but also excited. I think this is going to be the best trip of my life.

A Student’s Diary (Older Boy)

Dear Diary,

Our school trip to Toi started today, and I had a great time. On the ship, the sea became rough, and many children felt sick. I tried to make them laugh by running from one side to the other and saying “Oops!” It worked, and everyone laughed even though they felt bad. When we reached Toi, I loved the quiet beach and the warm hot spring in the sea. I had never seen anything like that before. In the evening, we all slept in one big room. The younger kids cried during the ghost stories, but they still wanted to hear more. I feel happy being with all my friends. This trip is full of fun moments.

A Teacher’s Diary

Dear Diary,

Today we took all fifty Tomoe students to Toi for the summer trip. I was a little worried at first, but the children behaved wonderfully. On the train they sat quietly, and on the ship they explored happily until the sea became rough. Even then, they laughed because one boy kept saying “Oops!” The hot spring in the sea amazed everyone. It was lovely to see their excitement. In the evening, their fingers were wrinkled from staying in the water too long. At night they told ghost stories and cuddled into their quilts. Taking a group photo was difficult, but it was fun too. Watching their joy made me feel proud of our school.

Character Sketches

1. Totto‑Chan
   Totto‑Chan is a curious, lively, and cheerful little girl. She loves exploring new places and enjoys every small experience. Earlier, she used to be restless in her old school, but at Tomoe she becomes attentive and well‑behaved. She is sensitive, easily excited, and full of wonder. During the trip, she feels seasick but still laughs with her friends. She enjoys the hot spring, ghost stories, and watching the man build a boat. Her innocent joy makes the trip unforgettable for her.
2. Totto‑Chan’s Mother
   Totto‑Chan’s mother is caring, understanding, and supportive. She worries about her daughter but also trusts the Headmaster and the school. After reading the Headmaster’s letter, she decides to let Totto‑Chan go for the trip. She wants her daughter to learn and enjoy new experiences. Her calm and thoughtful nature helps Totto‑Chan feel confident and happy.
3. The Headmaster
   The Headmaster of Tomoe is kind, wise, and gentle. He believes in giving children freedom and teaching them through real experiences. He gives only simple instructions, yet the children behave well because they respect him. He plans the trip carefully and enjoys watching the children learn from nature. He also tries to take a group photo, even though it becomes difficult. His warm personality makes Tomoe a special school.
4. The Tomoe Students
   The students of Tomoe are polite, responsible, and friendly. They are not taught strict rules, but they naturally learn good behaviour through school life. They never bully others, never disturb people, and always keep their surroundings clean. During the trip, they behave well on the train and enjoy the journey together. They laugh, play, listen to stories, and explore the beach. Their unity and good manners show the values of Tomoe School.
5. The “Oops Boy” (Older Boy on the Ship)
   The “Oops boy” is an older student who brings humour to the trip. When the ship rocks, he runs from side to side saying “Oops,” making everyone laugh even though they feel seasick. He is playful, cheerful, and full of energy. His funny actions help the younger children forget their discomfort. Ironically, he becomes sick only after everyone else recovers, which adds more humour to the story.

✅ 6. The Man Building the Boat

The man on the beach is hardworking, patient, and skilled. He works alone on a large wooden boat, shaping it slowly day by day. The children admire his dedication and check his progress every morning. He is friendly and kind, giving Totto‑Chan a long curly wood shaving as a souvenir. His quiet work becomes an exciting part of the children’s trip.

Textbook Questions with Answers

1. What made her mother let Totto‑Chan go for the trip?
   Totto‑Chan was unsure whether her mother would allow her to go for the school trip. But her mother had already received a letter from the Headmaster explaining the plan and arrangements. She trusted the Headmaster and believed the trip would be a good experience for Totto‑Chan. So she decided to let her go. Her mother also understood how important the trip was for the children at Tomoe. Because of this confidence and trust, she happily allowed Totto‑Chan to join the trip.
2. The children were amazingly well‑behaved. Why?
   The children behaved very well even though the Headmaster gave only one simple instruction. At Tomoe, they were never directly taught rules of behaviour, but their school life naturally taught them good manners. They learned to respect others, stay calm, and act responsibly. They never bullied anyone, never created trouble, and always kept their surroundings clean. These values became part of their character. So, during the journey, they behaved politely, spoke softly, and did not disturb anyone. Their behaviour showed the positive influence of Tomoe School.
3. What made her mother let Totto‑Chan go for the trip?
   Totto‑Chan’s mother had already received the Headmaster’s letter describing the trip and its arrangements. She trusted the Headmaster and believed the trip would be safe and enjoyable. She also knew that Totto‑Chan would learn many new things from the experience. Because of this trust and confidence, she decided to allow Totto‑Chan to join the trip without hesitation. Her mother understood how important the trip was for the students and felt it would make Totto‑Chan happy. So she agreed to let her go.
4. What were the values cultivated by the students at Tomoe?
   The students at Tomoe learned many good values through their daily school life. They learned to be kind, responsible, and respectful. They never bullied others or behaved rudely. They did not disturb people in public places and always spoke politely. They also picked up litter wherever they saw it, showing care for the environment. They behaved calmly and thoughtfully without being forced. These values became part of their character. Tomoe School helped them grow into disciplined, considerate, and well‑mannered children.
5. The hot spring in the sea was most unusual. Why?
   The hot spring in the sea was unusual because it was not enclosed like a normal hot spring or pool. There was no wall or boundary separating the hot spring from the rest of the sea. The hot water rose naturally from beneath the sea. When the children crouched down in the right spot, the warm water came up to their necks. It felt like sitting in a hot bath while being in the open sea. This rare combination made it very special and exciting.
6. How was the stay at the spa a real‑life experience for the children?
   The stay at the spa was a real‑life experience because the children explored many things outside their usual school environment. They saw a quiet village, a forest full of cicadas, and a shop selling popsicles. They met a man building a wooden boat all by himself and watched its progress every morning. They swam in the sea, enjoyed the natural hot spring, and listened to ghost stories at night. These activities gave them real experiences of nature, people, and daily life, making the trip unforgettable.
7. Why did the photo session take a very long time?
   The photo session took a long time because the children could not stay ready at the same moment. When the Headmaster prepared to take the picture, one child went to the toilet. Another child had worn his gym shoes on the wrong feet and had to change them. Some children became tired of holding their poses and lay down on the ground. With fifty children, it was difficult to keep everyone still and prepared. All these small delays made the photo session very long.
8. Totto‑Chan never forgot the first summer vacation. Comment.
   Totto‑Chan never forgot this summer vacation because it was full of joy, adventure, and new experiences. She travelled by train and ship, enjoyed the unusual hot spring in the sea, and played with her friends. She listened to ghost stories, explored the forest, and watched a man build a boat. The group photograph with the sea in the background became a precious memory. Everything about the trip felt exciting and special. These happy moments stayed in her heart, making it a vacation she remembered forever.