My First Errand (はじめてのおつかい)

Old Enough!

FILMED IN 1991

FUSSA, TOKYO

In Fussa City, in Tokyo,

there was a boy proud to have just turned five.

I'm hungry.

You haven't eaten, Ken.

- It's lunchtime. -Okay.

Go shopping for me at Izumiya.

He's listening,

even though he doesn't appear to be so.

Huh?

Can you remember this?

We need Yakisoba and bean sprouts.

-Bean sprouts? -Do you know those?

-I do. -You do?

The white things.

That's right. Do you know Yakisoba?

-Yeah. -You do?

The brown things.

That's right.

Ken, the second son, is well-known in town.

He's a famous playboy

who always talks to cute girls.

KEN - 5 YEARS OLD

Also, I want to eat some bread.

Do you know the baker?

What about money for the bread?

This is it. This is for Yakisoba,

bean sprouts, and a small curry bread.

You want one too, right?

It's about a 300-meter walk to the supermarket and baker.

It's the perfect course for going on a little errand.

NARRATOR - SHINSUKE CHIKAISHI

The cameraman is ready.

There are two crosswalks.

-Where's the money for the bread? -Mom...

This will be enough.

-For all of it? -Yes, for all of it.

Even if you buy three curry breads,

you'll still be able to buy jam bread or Anpan.

Okay!

He's always in such good spirits. Will he be okay?

Be careful!

Be sure to look both ways.

Understand?

Put that money away!

-It'll blow away! -Yes.

Even though it is just 300-meters,

it's an adventure filled with uncertainties for the mother.

Will he be able to do it?

He's an energetic five-year-old.

Ken is very nimble when he runs.

He walks across the crosswalk with a confident attitude.

He arrived at Izumiya.

Bean sprouts and Yakisoba.

He comes here with his mom every day.

He's confident in where the ice cream and snacks are.

That's right. That's the vegetable shelf.

Bean sprouts.

I got it.

Now, I just need to buy Yakisoba.

Ken loves Yakisoba.

But he's never seen his mother making it.

Where is it?

Which Yakisoba should I buy?

Since he's getting bean sprouts,

I don't think she wants instant Yakisoba.

She can clearly see the traffic light from her balcony.

But still...

He's taking a lot of time.

...she just can't sit still.

After circling the store five times...

...he put the bean sprouts back.

It would appear Ken's first errand has ended in failure.

Well, he's back.

But he's not holding anything.

What happened, Ken?

What kind of Yakisoba?

Any of them is fine.

Any Yakisoba is fine?

There are three in a pack, right?

They had a pack of three.

That one is good.

-That one is good? -Yep.

-Got it! -Huh?

It's your second try, Ken.

Oh, did you notice the camera?

Nope, it's fine.

His head is full of Yakisoba.

He's back at the same place.

I wonder if she meant instant Yakisoba.

He's shaking it for some reason.

Our five-year-old Ken is thinking hard.

Oh no.

What is happening?

What's wrong? He didn't buy anything.

Okay.

Did they not have any, Ken?

They do.

You want three?

Well, there are three but in one package.

Well, you see...

I shook it a little like this.

I picked them up and shook them to see if there were three inside.

But I didn't hear three in any of them.

Didn't hear three?

What do you mean?

We don't want the ones in a box.

They have others that are like ramen.

Did you ask the employees?

You should have.

Ask them for the Yakisoba with three packs inside.

Okay?

If I buy the Yakisoba,

and then, if I go to the baker,

do I not have to pay?

You do have to pay.

Don't bring things without paying.

Do we not have money for curry bread then?

That 1000-yen bill I gave you is enough.