The Miraculous Calf 

*Picture I : 
Narration: My name is Genki. I am going to tell a true story which happened to 
me. 
It all took place 8 years ago. It was the day that the terrible typhoon hit Okayama 
prefecture. I was just a young calf - only 6 months old at the time. Because of 
what happened on that fateful day, I am now called the Miraculous calf„ Children 
from all over the world have come to see me and to listen to my story. Now, I 
would like to share what happened on that day with you. 
Hajimari, hajimari. 

*Picture 2: 
Genki: Dad, Mum...it is a lovely day, isn't it? I would like to take a walk. 
Mother: In good time, son. It will be walking time soon enough. Be patient 
please. 

*Picture 3: 
Mother: Well, it's time for our daily walk. 
Father: Oh dear, don't you think the wind is blowing too fiercely for a walk? 
And, now, it is starting to rain, too. 
Genki: This is very odd to have such strong wind and rain while the sun is 
shining. 

*Picture 4 
I rushed back to the barn to get out of the storm. Because the rain was so heavy, it 
began to pour into the barn. "Woosh, woosh!" The sound of the wind was 
growing stronger and stronger. ' 
Genki: Oh no, I think I hear a ghost coming. I am really scared. Please help 
me! 
I was trembling with fear but trying to stay as calm as I could. 

*Picture 5: 
"Woosh, woosh! Patter, patter, patter! Crack! Shhhh! " 
Genki: Oh my goodness! What am I going to do, the barn will soon be flooded 
with water. 
The water quickly rose above my neck, and as I tried to breath water filled my 
mouth. 
Genki: I cannot breath. Mum, Dad, help me! 
Mother and Father: Baby, we are here ! 
I could barely hear their voices over the sound of the rushing water. 

*Picture 6: 
Mother: Baby, try to escape through the fence. 
Father: You are small enough to squeeze through. Hurry, son ! You must try! 
Mother: I am sorry, dear, but you are going to have to go alone. Your father and 
I are too big to escape from the fence, but you can do it. Be brave! 
These were the last words I ever heard from my mother before she was swallowed 
up by the raging, dark water. 

*Picture 7: 
However, my father managed to break the fence and escape with me. We decided 
to swim the furious waters of the Yoshii River. 
Genki: The current is too strong. I can't swim! I can't breath! Dad, I 
can't. . .1 can't make it. Help! 

*Picture 8: 
I began to sink under the water. My arms and legs felt as heavy as stones and as 
stiff as tree trunks. All I could see was darkness around me. 

*Picture 9: 
At that moment, I thought I heard the familiar voice of the farmer my friend and 
caretaker. 
I Iifted my head slowly. Then I saw the gentle, cheerful face of the farmer. I~:e 
had come to our aid with a flashlight. 

*Picture 10: 
My spirits were lifted when I saw him, and I felt strong again strong enough to

 
reach him. I swam with all my strength, but the river became too furious and 
swept me away. "Woosh, woosh!" The wind roared above my ahead. 
Genki: I am scared, Mr. Farmer! Ahhh! Help me! 

*Picture 11 
Father: Hang on to this, son! 
It was my father's voice. He was desperately clinging to a big tree. 
Genki: Okay, I'm trying. 
I held on to the tree with all of the strength that I had left in my tired body. 

*Picture 12 
"Crash, bam! " 
The tree shook as big rocks collided with its trunk. This caused my father and me 
to lose our grip on the tree, and we were thrown away from its safety. 
I was swept up in the current and couldn't see my father anywhere. I tried 
screaming for him. 
Genki: Dad, dad where are you? 
He did not answer. It was completely dark and fat raindrops continued to pour 
from the sky. The broken tree rushed towards me. I could hear the horrible 
roaring of the wind. 
Woosh, woosh! Crack, creek! Rushhh! 
Genki: It's hopeless. I can't swim any longer! 

*Picture 13 
I was completely exhausted, and I could not hold on to the tree anymore. My grip 
failed, and I started to slip away from the tree. After a few moments, I began to 
feel sleepy, and I could no longer keep my eyes open. As I dozed off, my body 
gradually sank below the surface of the water. As if in a dream, I noticed that a 
lot of river fish were swimming around me. 

*Picture 14 
I gasped in shock because I thought I heard my parents' voices from afar. 
Father: Stand up, my boy! Have courage! 
Mother: Don't give up, son!
I thought to myself, "Yes! I will do my best, and I will see my loving father and 
mother again. No, I won't give up yet. I will swim to safety with these kind and 
gentle fish." 

*Picture 15 
To my amazement, the fish surrounded me as if they were protecting me. We 
became fast friends. 
Genki: I was very lonely and sad. Thank you for giving me strength! 
I don't know for certain how long I swam, but the sun was high in the sky. I saw 
a yellow island in the distance, and swam in its direction as hard and as fast as I 
could. After that, I don't remember what happened. When I woke up, I found 
myself lying on the sandy beach of the island. 

*Picture 16 
Veterinarian: Hey; boy, are you alright? 
The friendly veterinarian had come to the island to help me. 
Genki: I think so. Yes, I am fine 
Because I was glad to be alive, I began to wag my tail very hard. Then, 1 Iet out a 
loud, joyful "Moo!" The next day, I went back to my farm. 
I began to search for my parents and friends. But no one was to be found. No 
matter how hard I called out to them, nobody answered my cries. My mother and 
father did not return that day or any day after that. I was the only one who 
survived the flood. When my parents and friends did not return, I felt a great 
sadness. Tears began to flow from my eyes, and my sorrow would not go away. 
The farmer felt sorry for me. One day; he decided to take me to a place where 
many calves lived. A group of young schoolchildren came to visit me there, and 
we became close friends. They gave me the name "Genki." After that, I was a 
special guest on many TV shows. From that day I was called the miraculous calf 
Genki. Everyone, please be my friend ! 

(The End)