[14] 小瓶と大格闘（上） BATTLE AGAINST A BOTTLE (1)

南山中学校　３年　日英バイリンガル通信　NO. 14　October 2, 1989

小瓶と大格闘 （上）

暑い夏の午後、私は大垣駅にいた。電車の発車まであと５分あった。のどがかわいたのでオレノマンCを買った。ふたの金具を引っ張ったが開かない。力を込めて引っ張ったが駄目だった。前に何回も飲んだことがあるので開け方はわかっていた。もう一度思いっきり引っ張ったがびくともしない。電車が到着した。あせってきた。金具を引きながらねじった。すると、あれまあ、金具だけ取れてしまった。ふたは瓶についたままだ。こいつをどうせよというんだ。爪でひっかいたり、歯でかんだり、鍵でふたの端を何回も突っついたりした。電車は今にも出発しそうだ。手は汗でぐっしょり。無念。瓶を鞄に入れて電車に乗った。中は満員でうだるようだった。
　家に着いて瓶との格闘を再開した。ふたの端を何百回となく突いたが、一滴たりとも出ない。瓶を割ってしまおうかと思ったその時、ポン!　と音がして、ふたが飛んだ。やれうれしと思って飲んだら、なんと、そのなまぬるいこと。

BATTLE AGAINST A BOTTLE　(1)

　　It was a hot summer afternoon. I was at Ohgaki Station. I had five minutes before the train started. As I was thirsty, I bought a bottle of Orenoman C drink. I pulled the flap of the cap to open it. But the cap did not come off. I pulled the flap hard again, but in vain. I knew how to open it, because I had often opened the bottles. Once again, I pulled it with all my power, but nothing happened. Then, the train arrived. I was desperate. I pulled the flap hard and moved it both ways. Alas! Only the flap came off. The cap was still tightly fixed on the bottle. What could I do with the darn cap? I used my nail and teeth. I hit the edge of the cap with my key many times. The train was going to leave at any moment. My hands were wet with sweat. I gave up. I put the bottle in my bag and got on the train. It was crowded and hot.
　　After reaching home, I started the battle against the bottle again. I hit the edge with the key hundreds o f times, but not even a drop came out. I got angry. I wanted to break it into pieces. Just then, with a big noise, the cap flew high into the air. How happy I was! I drank it. But it was lukewarm.