January CROSSROADS Language StudioÊs Newsletter 2006

Hachiko, MEET “KELPIE”!
Most people are familiar
with Japan’s legendary
Akita – A.K.A. “Hachiko” –who’s loyalty and devotion
to his master earned him a bronze statue anda resting place at Shibuya Station in Tokyo.
His daily vigil for nearly 10 years after his
master, Professor Ueno Eizaburo, passed
away finally ended on March 7, 1934.
Hachiko’s death made the front pages of major
newspapers here in Japan at the time, and a
day of mourning was declared.
However, Hachiko’s story is not the only taleof a dog’s loyalty to his master. Way back in
the year 1830 the author Bowyang Yorkewrote a poem about a similarly
loyal Australian cattle dog we’ll
call “Kelpei”*. The poem is called“Where the dog sat on thetuckerbox”.
“Whatisatuckerbox?” you might ask….
Tucker is Australian slang for
food, so a “tuckerbox” is, indeed, abig (Australian size) obento-bako!
As the legend goes, it was common in thosedays for a dog to guard his master’s tuckerbox
while he was away in the bush working or offbusily shearing sheep somewhere.

One day Kelpie’s masterwent off into the bush neverto return. Some say he diedthere. Kelpie, meanwhile,
stayed put on the tuckerbox and wouldn’t letanyone near him, or the tuckerbox which heguarded with his life, until he, in turn, also
died - of starvation!
And just like faithful Hachiko, a bronze
statue stands today near the town of Gundagai
in N.S.W., Australia as a monument to theloyalty of a brave dog.
(*Actually, nobody knows his real name, so wedecided to call him “Kelpie” for this article!)
Here’s one version of the famous“ Tuckerbox” poem. We hope you like it!
My Mabel waits for me underneath the bright blue sky
Where the dog sits on the tuckerbox five miles from Gundagai
I meet her every day and I know she’s dinky-di
Where the dog sits on the tuckerbox five miles from Gundagai.
I think she’s bonzer and she reckons I’m good-oh,
She’s such a trimmer that I’ve entered her in the local show,
Yes, My Mabel waits for me underneath the bright blue sky
Where the dog sits on the tuckerbox five miles from Gundagai.
____________The teachers and staff at Crossroads wish
our students a happy New (Dog) Year!!

(These words are in color in the story)legendary 伝説
tale 話devotion 献身的帰依
slang 俗語

stay put (動かず)留まっていたmourning 服喪
shearing 毛を刈っている

starvation 飢餓

monument 記念碑

Joshua Says: This is the year of the faithful dog and, so, we havebrought you an article in this month’s newsletter about two of
history’s most faithful; and what a great example they are to us all!
Dogs also like to work in teams, so whatever you want to do this year,
do it with a friend, or two! Happy New Year Everyone!
Junko Says: Coming up soon is your chance to do the TOEIC Test at Crossroads.
This year, we are planning to hold the test at Crossroads with the support of theTOEIC Steering Committee. Please contact me in the office if you are interested as
we want to enrol at least 10 students (the minimum number we must have to start)and select a date. Also, watch next month’s Newsletter for further details.
Greg Says: Hey, what whacky weather!!!! I just got back from record high temperatures in Sydney tosee that Japan is experiencing record cold temperatures, although it isn’t that cold in Matsuyama. During
the Christmas vacation in Australia there was one sizzling hot day of 44 in Sydney. Where I live is a little
further west and the temperatures reached 47! Even with the air conditioners on full blast made little
difference, as it was still 35 inside. After an overnight HAIL storm, the temperature the next day was 25.

Steven Says: I have been busy moving house during the New Year’s holidays.
One thing I’ve noticed is the amount of possessions I have collected since living inJapan. I’ve decided my New Year’s resolution is to eliminate extraneous items
from my living space and live a more “Zen” lifestyle. Well, at least that’s my plan.
Magnolia Says: I spent a wonderful New Year’s Eve with my family atIshite temple. It was a cold night but there were open fires burning andthe amazake was hot and delicious. Some Crossroads students wereperforming that night, playing Wadaiko and San Shin. It was a lovely
way to welcome the New Year and say goodbye to 2005.
Iain Says: Over the holidays I had a great time doing very little. I spent a lot of my freetime just reading. For many years I had been reading non-fiction. I was reading books
about science, philosophy and politics. But recently I picked up Harry Potter. I wasshocked how good it actually is. After finishing all of the books I have become very
interested in the world of fantasy again. What types of fantasy stories interest you?
Marita Says: To flee the cold of Winter I went to Taiwan recently. To my surprise, it was not as warm
as I expected, but at least I caught the smell of spring. A lasting impression was how strongly East Asiancultures are related. Although Taiwan’s culture primarily derives from traditional Chinese culture,
Japan’s colonial rule left its footprints in Taiwan. Japanese words such as “obasan” are still in use. You
can find many Japanese style houses, famous Japanese departement stores, convenience stores and evenone of the top “Hundred Yen” companies. It felt like visiting Japan’s “little sister”.

Yuka Says: Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had awonderful holiday. What’s your New Year Resolution? Are you goingto start something new? My resolution is simple: eat less, sleep more
and keep fit! Good luck with whatever resolution you make!

Courses you can take at CROSSROADS
NET LESSONS:
Are you too busy to come to CROSSROADS to study? Try ourlessons on the internet! --- It’s CROSSROADS in your homeor office! You get CROSSROADS’ great teachers, teaching
programs, even classmates, all on-line! Call for details.

NET SITE OF THE MONTH:
Here’s a page with one version of the tuckerbox story:
http://www.pcug.org.au/~stmcdona/tuckrbox.html

NET NOTEBOOK: Don’t forget to take a look at the Internet
Activity Notebook in our Open-house lounge. You’ll find greatgames, news and English study sites.

GENERAL COURSES:
2 x’s 60mins / week
1 x’s 90mins / week
Private 1 x / week
Semi-Private 1 x /week

GERMAN with Marita
SPANISH with Leo
RUSSIAN with Natasha
FRENCH with Bam & Natacha
CHINESE with Noriko
KOREAN with Kim

MOTHER & CHILD, group or private
KIDS, group or private
COSMOPOLITAN COURSES:“Singing in English” with Steve
Yoga with Magnolia
Guitar with Steve“Cooking in English” with Steve & Magnolia“Magic in English” with Iain
Piano with Adrienne
Aromatherapy with Steve
NETLESSONS:
group or private

Phone: 0120-21-7594
Tel: (089) 921-7595
Fax: (089) 921-7319
E-mail:info@crossroadsco.com
Web Site: www.crossroadsco.com