Reading lesson: White Day

Today is March 14th. It is White Day in Japan.On White Day, boys give girls white chocolate, cookies, or jewelry. In Japan, Valentine’s Day is when boys get gifts, and White Day is when girls get them. White Day comes one month after Valentine’s Day. On February 14th, girls give chocolate to boys, but on March 14th, it is the boys’ turn to give. This is the tradition.

So today, Akiko is riding her bicycle to the train station to meet her boyfriend, Kenji, before school. It is a sunny day with a bright blue sky, but Akiko is not thinking about the weather. She is thinking about Kenji. She hopes that he has not forgotten White Day.

Akiko sees Kenji standing outside the train station. He is standing beside the bicycle rack. He is waving, but he doesn’t have anything in his hands. Akiko gets off her bicycle and walks over to Kenji. She tries to smile. Kenji sees that Akiko is worried. He opens his backpack and takes out a large blue box. “Happy White Day,” he says. “Open it.” Inside the box, there are white chocolates and white cookies. Akiko smiles. “Thank you, Kenji,” she says. He smiles too. “Happy White Day, Akiko.” 

_{This publication was made possible by the PDXOpen publishing initiative Published by Portland State University Library Portland, OR 97207-115}