日曜の朝、姉が甥のそうたを連れてきた。On Sunday morning, my sister brought my nephew Sota round.姉は夕方まで用があるという。She said she had things to do until the evening.六歳のそうたと二人で、何をして過ごすか考えた。I thought about what the two of us, with Sota aged six, would do all day.本棚から、子ども向けの料理の本を出してみた。I took a cookery book for children down from the shelf.ホットケーキのページを開くと、そうたの目が大きくなった。When I opened it at the pancake page, Sota's eyes went wide.
私の台所は狭いながらも、二人なら並んで立てる。My kitchen is cramped, but even so two people can stand side by side in it.粉と牛乳を混ぜる係は、そうたがやりたがった。Sota wanted the job of mixing the flour and the milk.「ぼくがやる。だって、混ぜるのが一番楽しいんだもん」"I'll do it. Mixing is the best bit, after all."ボウルの中の粉が、机の上にも少し飛んだ。Some of the flour in the bowl flew out onto the table, too.フライパンに流すと、丸い形が少しゆがんだ。When we poured it into the pan, the round shape came out slightly crooked.
「まだ返さないで」と言うと、そうたは待ちきれない顔をした。When I said not to turn it yet, Sota looked as though he could not wait.「だって、もう焼けてるもん」"But it's cooked already."小さい泡が出るまで待つように教えると、そうたは真剣にのぞき込んだ。When I told him to wait until small bubbles appeared, he peered in in earnest.二枚目は、きれいな丸になった。The second one came out a neat circle.この本は初心者向きで、材料も家にあるものばかりだ。The book suits a complete beginner, and the ingredients are all things we had at home.三枚目は、そうたが一人で返した。The third one Sota turned all by himself.少し焦げたが、本人は得意そうだった。It burnt a little, but he looked rather pleased with himself.「これはおばさんの分。ぼくが焼いたんだもん」"This one's for you, Auntie. I cooked it, after all."
皿にのせて、二人で食べた。We put them on plates and ate them together.焦げたところは、思ったより苦くなかった。The burnt part was less bitter than I had expected.夕方、姉が迎えに来た。In the evening, my sister came to collect him.そうたは玄関で、作り方を一から説明していた。In the hall, Sota was explaining how to make them right from the beginning.短い時間ながらも、そうたはずいぶん自信をつけたらしい。It was only a short while, but Sota seems to have gained a good deal of confidence.来月も作ろうと約束して、二人は帰っていった。Promising to make them again next month, the two of them went home.