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Princess Mononoke Film ComicMimi and Meme's Present, a Japanese Children's Book
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This is a translation of a story from a Japanese children's book. Two sisters learn about the value of co-operation and creative solutions to conflict.
You may prefer the version with Japanese.
Mimi and Meme's Present
Mimi and Meme are rabbit sisters who are very close.
"I'm Mimi. My ears are long and cool-looking, don't you think?"
"I'm Meme. My eyes are bright and cute, don't you think?"
They are always together.
They get up together in the morning.
They play together.
They do chores together.
They take baths together.
They are going out, of course, together. Today they are going shopping in town. They are going to buy presents for their mother's birthday.
"Shall we put our allowances together and buy something?"
"Yes, if we do that we can get something wonderful."
Mimi and Meme went to the hatter.
"This hat seems just right for Mother!"
"You think so? I think this one over here is better, but..."
My, my, Mimi and Meme had a difference of opinion.
Then they went to the florist. However, there also:
"Let's get these flowers!"
"The ones over here are better."
"This kind here!"
"This kind over here!"
Once again, a disagreement.
Then they went to an accessory shop.
"This brooch is just perfect for Mother."
"This necklace is even more perfect!"
"I want to get the brooch."
"I want to get the necklace."
Even here, they disagreed.
Then they went to an imports shop.
"How about this scarf? With both our allowances we have
just enough to buy it."
"But, I think Mother would love this pouch handbag."
"Let's get the scarf. I absolutely want the scarf!"
"No way! The handbag. I absolutely want the handbag!"
Finally they came to the point of quarreling.
"I give up on combining our allowances. I'm going to
buy a present by myself!"
Mimi was furious. She ran off in one direction.
"I'm buying a present by myself, too!"
Meme was also furious....
She ran off in the other direction.
Mimi split up from Meme, going one way while Meme went the other....
But, there was not much she could buy with her own portion of allowance.
And so she reluctantly bought a straw hat from the hatter.
Meme split up from Mimi, going one way while Mimi went the other....
But, as you would expect, with only her own portion of allowance she could not get anything really good.
And so she reluctantly bought a red ribbon.
Mimi and Meme said with tiny voices:
"Umm, this is the present from me."
"This is mine. Really, we were going to get one together, but..."
Their mother heard this when she received the presents, and said with a bright smile, "Thank you very much. Just a moment, I have a good idea."
Mother went into the next room.
"I wonder what is going on with Mother?"
"I wonder what Mother is doing?"
Mimi and Meme waited a little while, and then......
Suddenly the door opened.
"Wow, what a wonderful hat!"
"Mother, it's cool!"
"I put your two presents together. I wonder how well they go together."
"Wonderful, wonderful!"
"Really wonderful!"
Mimi and Meme were delighted and spoke in loud voices.
They began the birthday party.
"Happy birthday, Mother!!" said Mimi and Meme with one voice.
