07 It’s not something to take for granted that we can eat meals.
/07 It’s not something to take for granted that we can eat meals.
*John was a cheerful eight-year-old boy who played happily every day and looked forward to dinner, wondering, “What’s for dinner today?” when he got hungry.
/*John was a cheerful eight-year-old boy who played happily every day and looked forward to dinner, wondering, “What’s for dinner today?” when he got hungry.
One day, during a school lesson, the teacher said, “The meals you eat every day are connected to many people’s efforts and lives.”
/One day, during a school lesson, the teacher said, “The meals you eat every day are connected to many people’s efforts and lives.”
*John raised his hand curiously.
/*John raised his hand curiously.
“Teacher, what do you mean by ‘connection of lives’?”
/“Teacher, what do you mean by ‘connection of lives’?”
The teacher gently replied, “For example, when you eat meat or fish, you are receiving the lives of animals.
/The teacher gently replied, “For example, when you eat meat or fish, you are receiving the lives of animals.
And when growing vegetables and fruits, we rely on insects and sometimes have to eliminate harmful ones.
/And when growing vegetables and fruits, we rely on insects and sometimes have to eliminate harmful ones.
So, many lives are involved in our meals.”
/So, many lives are involved in our meals.”
On his way home, *John saw a farmer working in the rice field he always passed.
/On his way home, *John saw a farmer working in the rice field he always passed.
The farmer was sweating as he worked to grow vegetables.
/The farmer was sweating as he worked to grow vegetables.
“That man is also making the food we eat,” *John thought as he walked home.
/“That man is also making the food we eat,” *John thought as he walked home.
That night, *John’s mother made his favorite curry.
/That night, *John’s mother made his favorite curry.
*John stared at the rice and curry on his plate and asked,
/*John stared at the rice and curry on his plate and asked,
“Mom, this meat and these vegetables are also lives we’ve received, right?”
/“Mom, this meat and these vegetables are also lives we’ve received, right?”
His mother smiled and replied, “That’s right.
/His mother smiled and replied, “That’s right.
Food reaches our table thanks to animals, plants, and the people who grow and transport them.
/Food reaches our table thanks to animals, plants, and the people who grow and transport them.
It’s important to eat with gratitude.”
/It’s important to eat with gratitude.”
*John said seriously, “Thank you, Mom.
/*John said seriously, “Thank you, Mom.
And thank you to the people who made it and to the lives.”
/And thank you to the people who made it and to the lives.”
The next day, *John told his friends at school, “The meals we eat aren’t something to take for granted.
/The next day, *John told his friends at school, “The meals we eat aren’t something to take for granted.
Let’s all say ‘thank you’ when we eat!”
/Let’s all say ‘thank you’ when we eat!”
His friends agreed, saying, “That’s a great idea!”
/His friends agreed, saying, “That’s a great idea!”
From then on, they whispered “thank you” in their hearts when eating.
/From then on, they whispered “thank you” in their hearts when eating.
That night, before getting into bed, *John said to his mother, “From now on, I won’t leave any food.
/That night, before getting into bed, *John said to his mother, “From now on, I won’t leave any food.
Because we’re receiving lives.”
/Because we’re receiving lives.”
His mother hugged *John tightly and replied, “That feeling is very important.
/His mother hugged *John tightly and replied, “That feeling is very important.
It’s wonderful that you feel that way.”
/It’s wonderful that you feel that way.”
Review Multiple Choice Question
/Review Multiple Choice Question
What did *John learn at school about the “connection of lives”?
/What did *John learn at school about the “connection of lives”?
a. That food involves the lives of animals, plants, and insects
/a. That food involves the lives of animals, plants, and insects
b. That food is made by magic
/b. That food is made by magic
c. That food is made by the teacher
/c. That food is made by the teacher
What did *John ask his mother at home?
/What did *John ask his mother at home?
a. He asked about how rice and curry ingredients are lives we receive
/a. He asked about how rice and curry ingredients are lives we receive
b. He asked about tomorrow’s menu
/b. He asked about tomorrow’s menu
c. He said he didn’t like rice
/c. He said he didn’t like rice
Let’s Think!
/Let’s Think!
How do you think *John felt when he realized that meals involve receiving lives? Have you ever felt thankful for your meals?
/How do you think *John felt when he realized that meals involve receiving lives? Have you ever felt thankful for your meals?
When you eat, think about the people and lives involved. Then, discuss how you can express your gratitude.
/When you eat, think about the people and lives involved. Then, discuss how you can express your gratitude.
