3rd standerd english lesson no 1 : THE STORY OF LITTLE SADAKO

 

In 1945, japan and the United states of America were fighting against each other in war.on 6 August 1945, the unites states of America dropped an atom bomb on the city of Hiroshima in Japan it was a huge bomb that killed thousands of people.

Little Sadako Sasaki was only two years old when the bomb was dropped the bomb fell 3km feom her home. many of her neighbours were killed by the bomb. Luckily, little Sadako survived. but in november 1954 when Sadako was 11 years old little bumps developed on her legs. Doctors found that Sadako had leukemia, a terrible disease that kills people. many children who were affected by the atom bomb were also found to be suffering from leukemia. Leukemia was given the name the atom bomb disease.

Sadako was admitted toa hospital she had to stay there for many months her mother said 'Sadako,we japanese believe that cranes can live up to a thousand years. and if you fold a thousand origami cranes, your wish will be fufilled.' Sadako said is that true, Mama? her mother replied, 'it is true, dear I shall bring paper for you tomorrow.'

from then on Sadako spent all her time making origami cranes she said to he cranes, i will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world. when she had made 644 origami cranes she became very sick and weak. she could not make any  more cranes her friends and family said, Dear Sadako don't worry. we will make the remaining cranes for you they tried to help her by making the remaining origami cranes but Sadako died in October1955 she was only 12 years old 

After her death Sadako's schoolmates began to make paper cranes they said we want to remember Sadako forever they wrote letters to other Japanese school chikdren and collected money let us build a monument in memory of our beloved Sadako and all the children who died directly from the atomic bomb or from its effects let us call it childrens peace monument they said

on 5 may 1958 the japanese children day a bronze statue of Sadako sasaki holding a wire crane high abouve her head, was set up in the Hiroshima peace memorial park. this statue reminds us of all the children who deid in the Hiroshima atomic bombing 

the following lines are carved on the black marble slab below the monument this is our prayer. for building peace in the world 

these lines talk of hope and a bright future for all children in the world even today many children from all over the world send handmade papere cranes that are placed at the foot of the statue.