虹の橋【原文】


RAINBOW BRIDGE

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends
so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine and
our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor;
those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing:
they each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind.

They all run and play together,
but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance.
His bright eyes are intent; his eager body begins to quiver.
Suddenly, he breaks from the group, flying over the green grass, faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet,
you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head,
and you look once more into those trusting eyes,
so long gone from your life, but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together...

AT THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.
It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors.
Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge,
there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.
When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place.
There is always food and water and warm Spring weather.
Those old and frail animals are young again.
Those who have been maimed are made whole again.
They play all day with each other.

Some of them here by the Bridge are different.
These pets were beaten, starved, tortured, and unloved.
They watch wistfully as their friends leave one by one,
to cross the bridge with their special person.
For them there is no one, no special one.
Their time on earth did not give them one.

But one day, as they run and play,
they notice someone standing by the road to the bridge.
This person wistfully watches the reunions of friends,
for during life, this person had no pet.
This person was beaten, starved, tortured, and unloved.

Standing there alone, one of the unloved pets approaches,
curious as to why this one is alone.
And as the unloved pet and the unloved person get nearer to each other,
a miracle occurs,
for these are the ones who were meant to be together,
the special person and the beloved pet
who never had the chance to meet while on Earth.
Finally, now, at the edge of the Rainbow Bridge,
their souls meet, the pain and the sorrow disappears,
and two friends are together.

They cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.

虹の橋

この「虹の橋」は、原作者不詳[Author Unknown]のまま、世界中の沢山の動物のサイトに伝わっている詩です。
原文は英語ですが、古いインディアンの伝承にもとづいているもらしく、
アメリカでも誰も作者を知らず、欧米のサイトを通じて広まっていったそうです。
一部と二部があり、それぞれ作者は別とされています。翻訳をされたのはいっけさんです。
また、三部目は芝山さんの創作です。

詩の内容は愛する動物達と別れても天国の手前に有ると言う
「虹の橋」でまた再会して、一緒に虹の橋を渡り共に天国に行く！という内容です。
そして、「虹の橋のたもと」では、愛された事無い動物達がやはり愛を知らなかった人と共に
「虹の橋」を一緒に渡るお話です。

この「虹の橋」の詩に共感を持った世界中の動物を愛する多くの人達によって、
様々な国の言語に翻訳されインターネットを通じて世界に伝えられております。

是非みなさんも広めてください。