02 Protecting Yourself from Tough Work
/02 Protecting Yourself from Tough Work
*Ayu admired people who worked.
/*Ayu admired people who worked.
His father woke up early every morning, put on a suit, went to work, and came home late at night.
/His father woke up early every morning, put on a suit, went to work, and came home late at night.
*Ayu thought his father was “really cool.”
/*Ayu thought his father was “really cool.”
One day after dinner, his father suddenly spoke with a serious expression.
/One day after dinner, his father suddenly spoke with a serious expression.
“Today, a friend at work suddenly stopped coming. It seems his mind and body had reached their limit…”
/“Today, a friend at work suddenly stopped coming. It seems his mind and body had reached their limit…”
*Ayu was surprised.
/*Ayu was surprised.
“Huh? What does it mean to not be able to go to work?”
/“Huh? What does it mean to not be able to go to work?”
His father quietly replied,
/His father quietly replied,
“He worked late every day, had few days off, and kept pushing himself. But he pushed too hard and broke down both physically and mentally.”
/“He worked late every day, had few days off, and kept pushing himself. But he pushed too hard and broke down both physically and mentally.”
*Ayu had always thought working was important. But he had never imagined it could be so hard.
/*Ayu had always thought working was important. But he had never imagined it could be so hard.
“Is work really that tough?”
/“Is work really that tough?”
His father nodded.
/His father nodded.
“Work is about helping others and supporting your life. But protecting yourself is just as important.”
/“Work is about helping others and supporting your life. But protecting yourself is just as important.”
That night, *Ayu thought in bed.
/That night, *Ayu thought in bed.
“Working isn’t just about trying hard. I need to think about how to protect myself too.”
/“Working isn’t just about trying hard. I need to think about how to protect myself too.”
The next day at school, the teacher talked about “the meaning of work.”
/The next day at school, the teacher talked about “the meaning of work.”
*Ayu raised his hand and said,
/*Ayu raised his hand and said,
“Working is important, but I think protecting your body and mind is important too.”
/“Working is important, but I think protecting your body and mind is important too.”
The teacher nodded happily.
/The teacher nodded happily.
“Exactly. Working is part of being a member of society. But if you push too hard, it causes trouble for yourself and others.”
/“Exactly. Working is part of being a member of society. But if you push too hard, it causes trouble for yourself and others.”
That weekend, *Ayu walked in the park with his father. His father smiled and asked,
/That weekend, *Ayu walked in the park with his father. His father smiled and asked,
“*Ayu, have you been thinking about that talk?”
/“*Ayu, have you been thinking about that talk?”
“Yeah. Working is really important, but pushing too hard is dangerous.”
/“Yeah. Working is really important, but pushing too hard is dangerous.”
His father nodded.
/His father nodded.
“That’s right. So companies and society need to make sure people can work without overdoing it. Taking breaks, having places to talk—those systems are necessary.”
/“That’s right. So companies and society need to make sure people can work without overdoing it. Taking breaks, having places to talk—those systems are necessary.”
*Ayu thought for a moment and said,
/*Ayu thought for a moment and said,
“So creating that kind of society is also part of the job of people who work.”
/“So creating that kind of society is also part of the job of people who work.”
His father laughed.
/His father laughed.
“Exactly. *Ayu, you’re already a fine ‘global citizen.’”
/“Exactly. *Ayu, you’re already a fine ‘global citizen.’”
*Ayu was beginning to understand the meaning of work.
/*Ayu was beginning to understand the meaning of work.
“When I work in the future, I want to take care of myself and help others too.”
/“When I work in the future, I want to take care of myself and help others too.”
And *Ayu made up his mind.
/And *Ayu made up his mind.
“Working isn’t just about trying hard. Protecting yourself and improving society are all important.”
/“Working isn’t just about trying hard. Protecting yourself and improving society are all important.”
Review Questions (Multiple Choice)
/Review Questions (Multiple Choice)
① Why did *Ayu’s father’s friend stop coming to work?
/① Why did *Ayu’s father’s friend stop coming to work?
A. Because he moved away
/A. Because he moved away
B. Because his favorite celebrity got married
/B. Because his favorite celebrity got married
C. Because his mind and body had reached their limit
/C. Because his mind and body had reached their limit
② What did *Ayu’s father say was important about working?
/② What did *Ayu’s father say was important about working?
A. Working without taking breaks
/A. Working without taking breaks
B. Working while protecting yourself
/B. Working while protecting yourself
C. Earning a lot of money
/C. Earning a lot of money
Let’s Think!
/Let’s Think!
① Have you ever felt like you were trying too hard? What could you have done to protect yourself?
/① Have you ever felt like you were trying too hard? What could you have done to protect yourself?
② What kind of ideas do you think are needed to create a society where everyone can work safely? What can you do to help?
/② What kind of ideas do you think are needed to create a society where everyone can work safely? What can you do to help?
③ Let’s take some time to explore how the International Labour Organization defines labor, if time permits.
/③ Let’s take some time to explore how the International Labour Organization defines labor, if time permits.
