『マルコの冒険』（「母をたずねて三千里」）
”Heart From the Apennines to the Andes"
（Cuore Dagli Appennini alle Ande）
NHKラジオ「エンジョイ・シンプル・イングリッシュ」2023年12月29日放送よりディクテーション
（番組ナビゲーター）関根麻里さん：
『マルコの冒険』の最終話。それでは聞いてみましょう。
Marco didn't know, but at this time his mother was very sick and needed surgery to save her life. But Marco's mother didn't want to have the surgery. Then Mequínez family tried to persuade her.
”Even if I have the surgery. I know that I will die anyway."
(Mr. Mequínez: )"Don't say such a thing."
(Mrs. Mequínez: )"Yes, you came here all the way from Italy for your family. Have the surgery for your sons and live."
"Oh, my sons. I have not heard from them for a long time. Maybe they are dead. So, I wish to die too."
Marco's mother cried and fell asleep. The Mequínez family felt so sorry for her.
Meanwhile, Marco finally arrived at Tucuman. Tucuman was a young town full of energy with long beautiful streets filled with magnificent plants. It was all very different from Italy. Marco found a hotel with an Italian name.
"Can you please tell me where the Mequínez family lives?"
"I know them. They live 15 miles from here."
Hearing this, Marco cried out loud. He felt like he could not walk anymore. The people came to see who had made such a sad sound. "It's not the end of the world. You can get there in a few hours, but you look very tired. Go there tomorrow."
"No. I have to go now. Please tell me the way. Marco walked through the forest all through the night. Sometimes he felt like he couldn't walk anymore. But he thought about his mother and put his feet forward one step at a time.
The eastern sky turned bright again, and morning came. Marco's mother spoke quietly from her bed.
"Thank you for everything you have done, Mr. Mequínez."
"You can't give up."
"I am not afraid to die. But I have one last wish. Please send my things and the little money that I have to my family in Italy. I wanted to see them again so much."
Just then, Mrs. Mequínez came running into the room.
"I have good news. God has sent you a gift. Someone has come looking for you."
Marco's mother looked toward the door, and Marco was there. His clothes were torn and dirty, but it was Marco, her son.
"My Marco!"
"Mother!"
Marco ran toward his mother and hugged her tightly as his mother kissed him many times.
"Is it really you? How did you get here? Oh, am I dreaming? Wait. Doctor, I want to get well. Do the surgery, please."
The surgery was a success. Marco looked at the doctor with tears in his eyes.
"Thank you, doctor, for saving my mother."
"No, it wasn't me. You saved your mother. You are the hero.
（番組ナビゲーター）関根麻里さん：
いかがでしたか？会えて本当に良かったです。この物語の原作は、Cuore（クオーレ）といい、イタリア人作家のエドモンド・デ・アミーチスが1886年に書いた子供向けの本です。『マルコの冒険』はそのクオーレの一部で、Cuore（クオーレ）という言葉には「心」や「思いやり」という意味があるそうです。
Good for you, Marco!
※現実の世界に目を向けると、今も子供たちが苦しんでいます。自分にできることなんだろうか・・・
まずは、これまで続けてきた1か月1,000円の寄付を続けようと思います。日本の子供たちへの寄付なんですが、きっと彼らがこの世界をよりよくしてくれると信じて。
先日フォロワーになっていただいたTacoさんのブログを見て、映画の『ペイ・フォワード』を思い出しました。
