Storybook

https://gemini.google.com/share/d98f1ee7a758

Check Noriko's website

https://www.japanesewithnoriko.com/

1) Discussion and Reflection Questions

1. Why do you think Ken tried to keep working even though he wasn’t feeling well?
2. Do you think Sato’s words made Ken stop and think about his health?
3. Why do you think Ken felt a little relieved after deciding to take time off and rest?
4. Even when work is busy, what kind of mindset do you think is necessary to prioritize your health?
5. In the long run, how do you think “pushing yourself to keep working” and “taking proper time to rest” affect your work differently?
6. In your country or workplace, is it easy to take time off when you’re not feeling well? Why or why not?
7. What do you think we can learn from Ken’s experience about balancing health and work?

2) vocabulary list

• 先日 / せんじつ / the other day, recently
• 風邪をひく / かぜをひく / to catch a cold
• 熱が出る / ねつがでる / to develop a fever
• 喉 / のど / throat
• 体中 / からだじゅう / throughout the body
• 主人公 / しゅじんこう / main character
• 会社員 / かいしゃいん / company employee
• 涼しい / すずしい / cool, refreshing
• 大切 / たいせつ / important
• 昼休み / ひるやすみ / lunch break
• 薬 / くすり / medicine
• 具合 / ぐあい / condition, state of health
• それどころか / それどころか / on the contrary, far from that
• だんだん / だんだん / gradually
• 画面 / がめん / screen
• 顔色 / かおいろ / complexion, facial color
• 頑張る / がんばる / to do one's best
• 集中する / しゅうちゅうする / to concentrate
• 結局 / けっきょく / in the end, eventually
• 状態 / じょうたい / condition, state
• 結果 / けっか / result
• 気づく / きづく / to notice, realize
• 携帯電話 / けいたいでんわ / mobile phone
• 手に取る / てにとる / to pick up, take in one's hand
• 連絡する / れんらくする / to contact
• 目を閉じる / めをとじる / to close one's eyes
• 穏やか / おだやか / calm, peaceful
• 二日後 / ふつかご / two days later
• 無理をする / むりをする / to overdo it, push oneself
• 届ける / とどける / to deliver