Four Seasons: Spring
Part of a quartet of very short stories, "Spring" follows a family of birds and the joys and challenges of new life. Featuring short sentences, desu/masu verb endings, and easy vocabulary, this series is perfect for students just getting started reading in Japanese. (10 episodes)
Episode 1
The arrival of spring means a change for two small birds.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a phenomenon that frequently happens when creating compound words, a breakdown of a potentially tricky sentence, and more.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers |  |
| With Sound Effects | Unread | 30224 | |
| Voice Only | Unread | 7334 |
Episode 2
The chicks take a big step in their development.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a word that means "through-and-through," one on a word that means "to make up one's mind," and more.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| With Sound Effects | Unread | 11001 | |
| Voice Only | Unread | 2324 |
Pro
Episode 3
The new fliers get better with practice.
Notes: This episode contains a note on relative clauses, one on a pattern that means "to become able to (verb)," and more.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| With Sound Effects | Unread | 5858 | |
| Voice Only | Unread | 1122 |
Pro
Episode 4
The chicks receive an important lesson from their mother.
Notes: This episode contains a note that briefly explains verb nominalization, one on an intensified version of sugoi, and more.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| With Sound Effects | Unread | 3314 | |
| Voice Only | Unread | 621 |
Pro
Episode 5
The bird family confronts the threat.
Notes: This episode contains a note on two different ways to use the word hisshi, a note on distinguishing two meanings of the -you to suru pattern, and more.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| With Sound Effects | Unread | 2861 | |
| Voice Only | Unread | 530 |
Pro
Episode 6
The father bird desperately attempts to evade the hotly pursuing hawk.
Notes: This episode contains a note on a word that can be combined with direction words to mean "right (below, behind, above, etc.)," and one on a pattern that means that something nearly happens but does not.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| With Sound Effects | Unread | 2672 | |
| Voice Only | Unread | 492 |
Pro
Episode 7
A possible safe harbor appears.
Notes: This episode contains a note that looks at why the same word can sometimes be written in different kanji, one that discusses a pattern that means that it looks like something will happen at any moment, and more.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| With Sound Effects | Unread | 2478 | |
| Voice Only | Unread | 486 |
Pro
Episode 8
The chicks are relieved when their father arrives home safely. But the mother bird notices cause for concern.
Notes: This episode contains a detailed breakdown of a sentence that beautifully illustrates verb nominalization, a note on a pattern for expressing relief, and more.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| With Sound Effects | Unread | 2424 | |
| Voice Only | Unread | 442 |
Pro
Episode 9
After the father recovers, the chicks continue to grow toward independence.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the traditional word for "goodbye," one about why the same word can be written using different kanji, and one on a pattern that means "as (big, tall, delicious, etc.) as..."
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| With Sound Effects | Unread | 2348 | |
| Voice Only | Unread | 412 |
Pro
Episode 10
The time comes for the chicks to embark on their next stage of life.
Notes: This episode contains a note on the origins of the mimetic helper particle to, one on a verb that means "to give; to grant," and more.
| Editions | Status | Total Readers | |
| With Sound Effects | Unread | 2377 | |
| Voice Only | Unread | 399 |