下のスクリプトは事前提出されたものですので、ビデオの音声とは一部異なる場合があります。

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A Big Ginkgo Tree

ISHIHARA, Aoi (Anan National College of Technology)

It has a thick trunk and deep roots.
It is lush green in summer and shining gold in autumn.
This is the symbol of my old elementary school, the ginkgo tree.

Ai Elementary School was founded in the Meiji Era, but, during my second year of junior high, the school was closed and since then we have never seen students playing under the ginkgo tree.

I had spent one-third of my life with the ginkgo tree.
In autumn, the school ground was covered with fallen leaves like a golden carpet. We swept them every morning, in vain. The carpet was back by the afternoon. Because it was our favorite playground, we threw and scattered the leaves that we had piled neatly in the morning. Do you think our teacher scolded us? Don't worry about that. Our headmaster was romping around with us. I still keep the picture taken then in my room.

In the season when ginkgo nuts fell on the ground, all the students tried to gather as many as possible. During one class, I smelled something very stinky but familiar. Suddenly, somebody shouted “Ryosuke!” and I looked at Ryosuke. There was a mark of crushed ginkgo nuts around the seat of his pants. Our teacher said to him “It is always you who does this.” with a wry but loving smile.

In lower grades, I often didn't want to go to school. I played sick or locked myself in my room. My mother has never allowed me to stay home on such occasions. I had to go to school, crying. However, as soon as I joined my friends around the ginkgo tree, I would lose my. blue mood.
Everyone in my hometown grew up being watched over by the ginkgo tree during their elementary school days.

However, Ai Elementary had to be closed because of our shrinking town population. At the closing ceremony, everyone sang the school song for the last time, and took photos in front of our beloved tree. There were too many people to fit in the frame.
When I received the commemorative photo of my friends, neighbors, and teacher, a kaleidoscope of memories brought tears to my eyes.

These days, many young people are attracted by city life, including me. Actually, I decided to attend Anan-kosen, and was the only one from my hometown to do so. I didn't know anybody, and was lonely and miserable. I couldn't adjust to the new environment. Back home, I would complain “I don't want to go school. I should have entered the same high school as my friends,” and my mother would always remind me “You said the same thing when you went to Ai Elementary.”

Unintentionally, my feet led me to the ginkgo tree. “I must make a friend. I must keep up with study.” Sitting under it for some time, such pressure on me gradually disappeared. The ginkgo tree helped me again, tenderly whispering to me, “I am always watching over you from here.”

When I left, I had a clear understanding of what my hometown means to me.
I'm sure you all have a place that is dear to your heart?
Returning to your spiritual hometown brings you great peace, and revitalizes you when your spirit is down.

I dream of the day when many children can play around the ginkgo tree again.

A sports festival is held at Ai Elementary School every year. Of course, I never fail to attend. All the participants enjoy and appreciate the time. At the end of the day, we all gather under our big beautiful gingko friend for photos, and say, “Thanks.” embraced by its gracious arms.

I will live upright like the thick trunk, and be stable and strong like the deep root.
Today, the ginkgo tree watches over me from the place that is dearest to my heart: the playground of Ai Elementary.