p068-p069 ＜ LANDMARK English Communication Ⅰ｜啓林館デジタル教科書

<span class='land_readingTitle'>A</span> [four-year-old] girl, / <span class='nw'>Desiree</span>, / <span class='nw'>sobbed</span> <span class='nw'>quietly</span> /

girl was <span class='nw'>hugging</span> a photo / of her father. /

died nine months before / after a long <span class='nw'>illness</span>. /

As her mother watched, / Desiree slowly ran her

fingers / around his face / on the picture. /

she said <span class='nw'>softly</span>, / “why won’t you come back?” /

One evening, / her grandmother said, / “See

bright star / near the <span class='nw'>horizon</span>. /

daddy / shining down / from <span class='nw'>heaven</span>.” /

<span class='txtShort'>After that, / Desiree looked for her</span>

daddy’s star / in the sky / for several nights. /

When Desiree went to her father’s <span class='nw'>grave</span>, / she said, / “If I listen hard

write to Daddy / instead of trying to talk to him? / You can leave your

Desiree thought / that was a good idea / and asked her

mother and grandmother / to help write the letter. /

When they next visited, / Desiree left her letter / on his grave. /

when they came back / the next week, / her message was still there. /

not getting my letters,” / she sobbed. /

One evening, / Desiree said, / “I want to

die, / Mommy, / so I can be with Daddy.” /

<i>God</i> <i>help</i> <i>me</i>, / her mother <span class='nw'>prayed</span>. /

November 8th was her father’s birthday. / “How will I send him a
birthday card?” / Desiree asked her grandmother. / She answered, / “How
about tying a letter / to a balloon / and sending it / to Daddy in heaven?” /
Desiree’s eyes lit up. /
Desiree chose a lovely balloon. / “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” was printed
on it / with a picture of the Little Mermaid. / She is a character / from a
famous animated movie. / Desiree and her father / had often watched it /
together / on video. / He had also read the story / to Desiree. /
It was a beautiful day / with a few clouds and a breeze. / Desiree asked her
grandmother / to write down this message / to her father: / “Happy Birthday, /
Daddy. / I hope / you have a good birthday / in heaven. / I love you / and miss
you. / I hope / you get this / and can write me / on my birthday / in January.” /
Desiree’s grandmother wrote her message / on a piece of paper. / It was
then wrapped in plastic. / The letter was tied / at the end of the balloon’s
string. / Finally, / Desiree held the balloon / and released it / high in the air. /
For almost an hour, / they had been
watching the balloon. / The shining
spot of silver / became smaller / and
then disappeared. / Desiree shouted
excitedly, / “Did you see that? / It’s gone. /
Daddy reached down / and took it! / Now
Daddy’s going to write me back.” /