英語読解教材：The Chairperson’s Heir 〜良心が森を救うとき〜

☀️ 1. Commonplace Days

In a commonplace village surrounded by green hills, there lived a teenage girl named Elara. She was known for her caring heart and her unusual hobby — reading an old encyclopedia she found in her late grandfather’s attic. He had once been the chairperson of the village council, a proficient leader admired for his earnest efforts.

Elara dreamed of studying biology at a top university, but her family couldn’t afford the tuition. She worked part-time delivering groceries in a carriage, saving every coin while helping her sick mother.

⚠️ 2. Growing Shadows

One day, Elara overheard a suspicious conversation near the commerce district. The new mayor, Mr. Crale, had accepted a bribe from an external developer planning to build a utility factory that would smash the village’s forest for profit.

The forest wasn’t just beautiful — it was organic land, home to rare plants and animals Elara adored. To make things worse, her home was within the planned province to be cleared.

💥 3. The Fire of Truth

One evening, a forced fire broke out near the forest border. Elara rushed to help and found clues — gasoline containers, cough masks, and a dropped contract with Mr. Crale’s name.

She reported it to the council, but they refused to act. Her voice was met with disregard, and she was accused of starting the fire herself. Her only option was to subscribe to the village’s underground newspaper and leak the evidence anonymously.

✊ 4. A Rebel’s Stand

Elara decided to act. She united with other concerned villagers, including an old rebel named Juna, who once tried to conquer the corrupt system but failed.

Together, they began holding secret gatherings in a forgotten landmark — a hollow tree that once marked the village’s founding.

“I won’t be deprived of my home,” Elara said. “I’ll protect this land, even if I must commence a war against injustice.”

⚔️ 5. Confinement and Despair

Their movement gained momentum, but Mr. Crale retaliated. Elara was falsely arrested, charged with debt evasion and discharge of illegal flyers.

In her prison cell, she struggled with her conscience. Had she gone too far? Her energy began to exhaust, and her spirit grew faint.

🪄 6. Unexpected Allies

But then came hope. The underground paper printed her story in full, including the evidence she had gathered. Villagers — once silent — blended their voices in protest. A retired judge came forward, wielding the constitution and filing a legal injunction.

Juna, still free, managed to release Elara with a legal loophole.

📈 7. Flame Within

Upon release, Elara had changed. She was no longer a girl who dreamed of fostering biology in the city. She had become a young leader — the symbolic heir to her grandfather’s will.

She took the stage at the village plaza and spoke, her voice brilliant with clarity.

“This forest is not just soil and trees. It’s the root of our hearts. To destroy it is to inflict pain upon every living memory we hold.”

🏞️ 8. The Rebuild Begins

The court ruled in favor of the villagers. Mr. Crale was discharged, his powers stripped, and the factory project was extinguished.

The new council appointed Elara as an external advisor for environmental affairs. She even received a full scholarship — her vocabulary, experience, and courage catching the attention of a university professor.

🌪️ 9. The Last Blow

Just when things seemed calm, a rogue group of rebels set fire to the town hall in retaliation. Elara was blamed again, her reputation hanging by a thread.

The entire village faced another test of unity — would they collapse under chaos?

💔 10. Fall of the Tree

The ancient hollow tree, their custom meeting place, burned that night. It was their emotional heart. And when it fell, so did morale.

Elara felt defeated.

🔥 11. Roots Beneath Ashes

But Juna, now severely ill, handed Elara one last gift: a wooden box.

Inside was her grandfather’s diary, detailing how he once derived strength from failure and how a tree’s roots go deep — even when the trunk has fallen.

Tears in her eyes, Elara stood again.

⚔️ 12. The People’s Voice

With renewed spirit, she organized a united forest replanting festival. People came from neighboring villages, bringing seeds, stories, and hope.

“Let’s not rebel in anger,” she said. “Let’s rebel with life.”

🚫 13. Clearing the Path

The criminal rebels were caught and tried. Corruption was removed. No more blend of truth and lies. No more forced silences.

🌱 14. Seeds of Tomorrow

The forest began to grow back, stronger and more diverse than before. A new encyclopedia entry was written by Elara herself, titled:

“The Plight of a Village, and the Triumph of Conscience.”

✅ Q1. Read the following and choose the best answer.

In a commonplace village surrounded by green hills, there lived a teenage girl named Elara. She was known for her caring heart and her unusual hobby — reading an old encyclopedia she found in her late grandfather’s attic.

What can we infer about Elara from this paragraph?

1. A. She disliked her grandfather’s belongings.
2. B. She was a curious and thoughtful person.
3. C. She lived in a big, modern city.
4. D. She worked in a library.

✅ Q2. Read the following and choose the best answer.

The new mayor, Mr. Crale, had accepted a bribe from an external developer planning to build a utility factory that would smash the village’s forest for profit.

What is the main concern expressed in this sentence?

1. A. A new park is being opened for children.
2. B. Mr. Crale is planning a charity project.
3. C. The village forest is in danger due to corruption.
4. D. The mayor is helping to protect the environment.

✅ Q3. Read the following and choose the best answer.

She reported it to the council, but they refused to act. Her voice was met with disregard, and she was accused of starting the fire herself.

What happened when Elara tried to report the truth?

1. A. She was praised by the council.
2. B. The council helped her collect more evidence.
3. C. She was ignored and falsely blamed.
4. D. She received legal support right away.

✅ Q4. Read the following and choose the best answer.

Upon release, Elara had changed. She was no longer a girl who dreamed of fostering biology in the city. She had become a young leader — the symbolic heir to her grandfather’s will.

What does this sentence tell us about Elara?

1. A. She gave up all her dreams after being released.
2. B. She started studying biology again.
3. C. She grew stronger and became a leader.
4. D. She decided to leave the village forever.

✅ Q5. Read the following and choose the best answer.

“Let’s not rebel in anger,” she said. “Let’s rebel with life.”

What is the best interpretation of Elara’s words?

1. A. People should seek revenge through violence.
2. B. Rebellion should come through planting and creating.
3. C. She wanted to destroy everything and start over.
4. D. She was giving up the fight.