英語読解教材: The Fairy and the Stolen Formula 〜小さな勇気が世界を変える物語〜

この記事は約 24 分で読めます

Reading: The Fairy and the Stolen Formula 教材版

Level: 大学入試 | Genre: Mystery / Fantasy | Length: ~700 words
English Passage

In a quiet prefecture, people lived simple but happy lives. Farmers brought their harvest to the market, students admired paintings in the local gallery, and children played until sunset. Among them lived a tiny fairy named Lira, who spent her days flying among flowers and polishing petals until they sparkled with perfect symmetry. Life felt safe and full of welfare.

One morning, this peace was broken. A nasty rumor spread: the secret nuclear formula had been stolen from the university. Created by top graduates and scientists, the formula was said to have the potential to change mankind. The minister rushed onto TV and declared a national mission to identify the thief. Shops closed, parents called their children home, and even the mayor’s dog refused to go out.

People whispered about the danger. The formula could increase or lessen human mental strength. Used wisely, it might heal damaged organs; abused, it could poison the sea and kill coral reefs. Police searched the university facility day and night, but the only clue was a small patch of strange moisture near the lab door.

Lira felt isolated—just a small fairy in a big crisis—but her size let her go where humans could not. Staring at the dark overhead pipes, she whispered, “Nonetheless, I must try,” and flew into the shadows.

Inside the pipes, she spotted dusty footprints no one else could see. With sharp insight, she followed the trail to a hidden notebook revealing a fake profile used for hotel reservations. Realizing she could not succeed alone, she formed a joint mission with a young statesman who believed in her. They agreed to share every clue and specialized in following each lead.

The investigation was difficult, but each challenge helped Lira expand her courage. She used flower pollen to reveal fingerprints and even tested chemicals with petal protein. Her journey became a theme of growth—if a fairy would fight for them, the townspeople could stand strong, too.

For weeks, things went smoothly. Suspects were questioned, evidence was gathered, and public sentiment shifted from despair to hope. But the thief was clever. On festival night, he hid the formula inside a row of fireworks that would release toxic light when launched.

Lira arrived in time. She flew into the fireworks tower and used her magic to uncover a weak spot in the formula. Mixing it with flower extracts, she created a desperate but brilliant breakthrough. The fireworks burst not into destruction, but into glowing petals. The crowd gasped—then cheered.

In the confusion, the thief tried to escape. Lira beat her wings and spilled the last of her magic pollen on him. Sneezing uncontrollably, he slipped on his own nasty chemicals and was seized by the statesman and the police. People finally saw that victory came not only from magic but from Lira’s grit and wit.

The formula did not vanish; it evolved into harmless energy that could power crops, heal sickness, and bring lasting welfare. What had once been a weapon became a gift—because a small fairy refused to give up. In the end, the thief was jailed, the people were safe, and Lira was hailed as a new legend. Her solution was safety for all—and the lesson that courage and persistence can change the world.

和訳(参考)
Vocabulary Check
prefecture:県
harvest:収穫
gallery:美術館・画廊
fairy:妖精
polish:磨く
symmetry:対称性
welfare:福祉・幸福
nasty:嫌な、たちの悪い
formula:(秘密の)式・フォーミュラ
identify:特定する
mission:任務・使命
potential:可能性・潜在力
mankind:人類
organ:臓器
reef:サンゴ礁
facility:施設
isolated:孤立した
nonetheless:それでもなお
overhead:頭上の
insight:洞察
profile:プロフィール
reservation:予約
joint mission:共同任務
share:共有する
protein:タンパク質
theme:主題・テーマ
smoothly:順調に
sentiment:感情・世論
row:列
uncover:暴き出す
breakthrough:大発見
evolve:進化する
lasting:永続的な
legend:伝説
solution:解決策
Reading Comprehension

Q1. Where did the story take place at the beginning?

A. In a large city
B. In a quiet prefecture
C. In a foreign country
D. In a dark cave
▼ Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. In a quiet prefecture
Explanation: Paragraph 1 explicitly states “In a quiet prefecture.”

Q2. What was stolen from the university?

A. A magical crown
B. A secret nuclear formula
C. A treasure map
D. A powerful sword
▼ Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. A secret nuclear formula
Explanation: The passage says “the secret nuclear formula had been stolen.”

Q3. Why was the formula dangerous?

A. It could increase or lessen human mental strength.
B. It could cause endless rain.
C. It could control people’s dreams.
D. It could awaken monsters.
▼ Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A. It could increase or lessen human mental strength.
Explanation: It could strengthen or weaken mental ability and harm nature if abused.

Q4. How did Lira use her small size to help?

A. She entered overhead pipes humans could not reach.
B. She hid in books at the library.
C. She disguised herself as a child.
D. She talked to animals for clues.
▼ Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A. She entered overhead pipes humans could not reach.
Explanation: She flew into the dark overhead pipes above the laboratory.

Q5. What clue did Lira find about the thief?

A. A broken sword
B. A fake hotel profile
C. A piece of jewelry
D. A hidden camera
▼ Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. A fake hotel profile
Explanation: A hidden notebook revealed a false profile used for reservations.

Q6. What did Lira do to the formula during the fireworks?

A. She destroyed it completely.
B. She mixed it with flower extracts to change it.
C. She returned it to the minister.
D. She hid it underground.
▼ Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. She mixed it with flower extracts to change it.
Explanation: Her breakthrough turned the destructive formula into harmless energy.

Q7. How was the thief finally captured?

A. He confessed voluntarily.
B. He slipped after sneezing from Lira’s magic pollen.
C. Villagers chased and caught him.
D. He was trapped in a cave.
▼ Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. He slipped after sneezing from Lira’s magic pollen.
Explanation: The pollen made him sneeze uncontrollably; police and the statesman seized him.

Q8. What did the formula become after it was changed?

A. A weapon for the military
B. A harmless energy for crops and health
C. A new kind of fireworks
D. A treasure hidden in the reef
▼ Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. A harmless energy for crops and health.
Explanation: It evolved into energy that supports farming and healing.

Q9. What lesson did people learn from Lira’s actions?

A. Magic is stronger than science.
B. Even a small being’s courage can change the world.
C. Only humans can solve serious problems.
D. Legends matter more than reality.
▼ Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B. Even a small being’s courage can change the world.
Explanation: The ending emphasizes courage and persistence changing fate for all.
TOP