The Kaki Tree Parent and Child
Produced by Anken Kidani
1.
Once upon a timein Nagasaki prefecture,
there was a healthy kaki treethat had sweet, delicious kaki fruit.
This kaki tree
loved watching overhappy children.
However, something terrible happened
about 70 years ago
on August 9th.
There was a big flash of lightand then ka-boom,
there was a loud sound.

12.
Fire broke out
all over the place,and it burned and burnedand burned.
The kaki tree was frightened
and didn’t knowwhat was happening.
After a while
the fires went out.
The kaki tree
was burnt badly
and was no longer able
to bear any fruit.

2

3.
One day many years later,a tree doctor named Doctor Jumoku
came to the kaki tree.
“I can’t believe it, kaki tree.
You were a victim of the atomic bomb,
but you are still so healthy.
You are a symbol of peace,” the doctor said.
“Not at all,” the kaki tree responded.
“Because of that war,
I can’t bear fruit any more.
I’m not a symbol of peace;
I’m just a treethat will soon wither up and die.”“Don’t say that,” said the doctor.
“I am a tree doctor.
I don’t know if it will work,
but I will perform surgery on you
and try to make you better.”3

4.
The surgery took a long time
because the kaki tree’s injury
from the atomic bombwas very bad.
Doctor Jumoku worked long and hardand finally finishedtreating the tree.
“Thank you very much,” said the kaki tree.

Doctor Jumoku
felt that he heard a prayer
in those words
saying,“Please don’t ever create
a tree like me again.”
Then fall came.

4

5.
“Oh, good,” said Doctor Jumoku.
“You have so many
delicious-looking fruit.”“Thank you, doctor.
I’m glad I’m alive,” said the kaki tree.
“You’re exaggerating,kaki tree.
Oh, I have a great idea.
Will you let me
grow your children?
I want all the childrenof Nagasaki
to know about you,”said Doctor Jumoku.
The kaki tree smiledand nodded
and then gave the doctor
its seeds and branches.

56.
Doctor Jumoku
very carefully raised
the kaki tree’s children.
(Doctor Jumoku)“Grow healthily,baby kaki trees.
Grow up quickly and healthily
and be strong.”“Grow healthily,baby kaki trees.
Grow to bear
sweet, delicious kaki fruit.”
Until now it was unthinkablethat children of a kaki treethat was a victim of the atomic bomb
could grow up
and bear fruit.
Doctor Jumoku took
the baby kaki trees that were growing
and began planting themin many places throughout Nagasaki.
And each time he planted a baby kaki tree
he thought “Life is amazing.”

6

7.
One day, a young man who drew pictures
heard about Doctor Jumoku
and came to see him.
“Doctor Jumoku, you are amazing.
“I want to help,” he said.
“That is so kind of you,” replied the Doctor.
“But how can you help?”“I have a good idea,” he said.
“How about if everyone gets together
and draws pictures,sings songs and dances
when the baby kaki trees are planted?
“That sounds like fun,” said the kaki tree.
“But can you do all that by yourself?”“Actually,I’m sure lots of friends
will gather to join us,” he replied.
This group of friends,
called “The Kaki Tree Friends”
began planting baby kaki trees
all throughout Japan.

78.
(Young man)“This is a baby kaki tree.
Before we plant it,
let’s all draw picturesof kaki trees.”
Let’s draw
Let’s draw
Let’s draw our feelings now
Let’s draw
Let’s draw
Let’s draw the feelings of the kaki [kaki tree]
Both children and adults
looked carefullyat the baby kaki tree.
They also thought quietly
about the kaki tree in Nagasaki.
(Young man)“Everyone,please raise this baby kaki tree
to grow up big in your hearts.”
Let’s draw
Let’s draw
Let’s draw our feelings now
Let’s draw
Let’s draw
Let’s draw the feelings of the kaki [kaki tree]89The time
finally cameto plant the baby kaki tree.
Each of the children
carefully placed dirt
around the roots of the baby kaki tree.
Then the baby kaki tree
and everyone there
promised to gather
in 10 years
at the same timeon the same day.
Soon,
people from many different countries
wanted to meet
the baby kaki trees.

910.
So Doctor Jumoku
and the young mandelivered baby kaki trees
to children throughoutthe world.
Even in these other countries
they drew pictures,sang and danced.
And in each place
where a baby kaki tree was planted,
everyone made a promise
to come back in 10 years
at the same time on the same day.
11.
As you can see here,
there are many “Kaki Tree Friends”
gathered around the kaki tree
in Nagasaki.
“Kaki tree, kaki tree.
Thanks to you
and the baby kaki trees
we have made many friends,”
said Doctor Jumoku.
“Yes,” said the young man.
“Children from all around the world
are playing alongside
the baby kaki trees.”
Thenthe kaki tree friends,filledwith gratitude,

1012.
sent balloons
floating up into the sky.
(Kaki tree)“Everyone,Thank you
for making my children
bear fruitin so many places.
There is no greater happinessfor a parent.”
This kaki treethat was a victim of the atomic bomb
now has many friends.
And now this kaki tree
most of all enjoys
talking about many things
with each of its friends that comes by.
The End11