Les enfants d'Hiroshima

Toshiko, former pupil: [Takako is visiting her in a church, where she lies critically ill with radiation sickness] Ah, Teacher.

Takako Ishikawa: You still remember me.

Toshiko, former pupil: I didn't at first but it came to me.

Takako Ishikawa: Have you live here all this time?

Toshiko, former pupil: Yes, for six years. The priest saved me the day of the bomb. I've been here ever since.

Takako Ishikawa: And your mother and father?

Toshiko, former pupil: Everyone was killed. And I decided to stay here. Here I can say prayers for them. I ask God to grant us peace forever.

Takako Ishikawa: That is a very good thing to do.

Toshiko, former pupil: Now I understand that war is the greatest evil. War is hell.

Toshiko, former pupil: [continues] Teacher, will you sing for me?

Takako Ishikawa: What shall I sing?

Toshiko, former pupil: The one you always sang at lunch. About the red ship.

Takako Ishikawa: You remember very well!

Toshiko, former pupil: I want to hear it just once more.

Takako Ishikawa: Alright, then...

Takako Ishikawa: [starts to sing] Dear Mother, go to sleep and don't cry. Father will come home tomorrow in a red boat.

Toshiko, former pupil: Is it nice on your island?

Takako Ishikawa: Beautiful. I wish you could visit me. The sun rises out of the eastern sea, and sets in the west.

Toshiko, former pupil: I'd love to, but I don't think I will. I'm going to die. But I don't mind because I'll go and join my mother and father.

[turns away, folds her hands on her chest in prayer]