とかげ

「ダンス、うまいんですね、すごく。」

私が言うといきなりとかげは、

「うん、でもあの仕事やめるの。来月で。」

と言った。

びっくりして私が、

「どうして？」

とたずねると、

「他にやりたいことがあって。」

とほほえんだ。

「何？」

私は言った。

「さしつかえなければ聞いてもいいかな？いや、だってすごく才能あるから、惜しいなと思ってさ。」

「いいわよ。あのね、鍼と灸の学校に行くの。」

ととかげは言った。

「えー？」

私はもっと驚いた。

（試訳）

"You are a good dancer. You really are."

Hearing me saying that, Lizard said abruptly,

"Yeah, but I'm quitting the job. Next month."

Quite surprised, I asked,

"Why is that?"

"I have something else to do."

She smiled.

"What's that you want to do instead?" I said.

"Do you mind me asking what it is that you want? You know, you are greatly talented. It's a waste!"

"Sure. Thing is, I am going to school where I can learn acupuncture and moxa."

So she replied.

"What?"

I was even more surprised.

（Ann Sherif 訳）

When I told her that I thought she was a good teacher, she replied, "It's fun, but I'm going to quit teaching next month."

Surprised, I asked her why.

"I have other things that I want to do."

"Like what? I know that it's none of my business, but you're so good at teaching. It seems a shame."

"I don't mind you asking. I'm going to study acupuncture."

This surprised me even more. "Acupuncture?"