Noodles on a Bicycle
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What is the opening premise of the “Noodles on a Bicycle” story?
This is Believe. One network, every topic, everywhere. Okay our friends. So one good food story deserves another. What do you say? Today we are going to read more about tasty things to eat and how You know, the girl in yesterday's story took her food on in her lunchbox to school. Food that you take on the go. It's super fun. And so we're gonna stay on that theme. Today we'll be reading a story called Noodles on a Bicycle. And this story was written by Kiel McClear and Gracie Tsang. And it's read today by mommy and Philip and the zaña ear. Philip the lasagna eater. Are you a lasagna fan? All you know is lasagna is the is lummy yummy. Mm-hmm. The story for today, yeah, you're eating lasagna, so that counts. Alright, so when we open today's book.
How does the narrator describe the 1937 Tokyo delivery man and his massive food stack?
And we can see a delivery man for a restaurant maneuvering his bike through the street in Tokyo, and this is in March of 1937, and the amount of things that he has balanced. on his on his shoulders is just incredible. He's got a lot of food there. So let's read about what is going on here with this, shall we? Okay. When the delivery men set off in the morning, We sit outside and watch and wait. For the flicker. Of pedal and wheel. They leave each day from the old Sobaya noodle shop near our house, where the Sobaya chef rises at dawn cutting noodles from buckwheat flour, thin juari noodles, Dark. Inaka noodles. Making his famous house broth, the Saboya Chef has been around for years making only One thing. When the orders are ready, the deliverymen arrive.
They stack the ceramic soup bowls and wooden soba bowls, one tray on top of another, on top of another, and then they take off! And we watch them balancing towers on their shoulders, an arm holding things steady as their bicycle tires bump and bounce and settle and swoosh. So imagine riding your bicycle. but with only one hand, because the other hand you have got holding a giant stack of food. You've got
Why are the delivery men compared to acrobats and architects while balancing bowls?
Every five minutes I'd stop. You've cut like ten people's foods, lunches. On your shoulders, can you imagine? They didn't have backpacks. And even then backpacks backpacks don't really work. Mm-mm. A few of us run alongside until we're out of breath, waving goodbye as they zip onto the main road and sail beyond the park, legs circling in faded blue pants, bicycles shining in the sun, Wind lifting their hair beep beeponk. Beep honk honk. Wind lifting their hair. We can see the busy street here, and this is in Tokyo, it's a city in Japan. And we can see the very busy street with all these different vehicles going here and there and bicycles and cars and buses and taxis and this guy on his bicycle with his gigantic stack of food.
Hungry customers wait. The first delivery goes to students at the university. Another goes to the factory, and then there's one for the big office tower. There's a delivery man from the old Sobaya and a deliveryman from the new Sobaya who are competing to see who can make the tallest and fanciest stack. And when I look at what they're holding, I think all those bowls of soup and all those containers of noodles and these glass con oh, I would just be so nervous. I would be so nervous carrying all that glass and that hot soup on my shoulder, wouldn't you? I mean what if it spilled all down you you would have auchies for days? They are artists.
What activities do the kids practice to mimic the delivery men’s stacking skills?
Architects, tough talkers, speedy spinners, but mostly they're acrobats. Whizzing past other bicycles, soaring around curves, cresting hills, avoiding potholes, and the black smoke of motorcycles. Do they dream of noodles all night long? Oh yeah, you didn't think about that, right? They don't want to get any of the smells of the city on their food. That would ruin the whole experience, huh? When the delivery men cycle through the neighborhood, we want to see them. We want to be them. We pluck one of our bikes from the shed and squeaky seat and rusty chain. We carefully practice stacking trays with bowls filled with water. Be careful, don't let the soap spill rattle, wobble, clatter, crash. Oh, they spilled their stuff everywhere.
Bummer. When the delivery men ride past our house, they nod in encouragement, and we shout a greeting in return.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the opening premise of the “Noodles on a Bicycle” story?
0:01–1:15
2
How does the narrator describe the 1937 Tokyo delivery man and his massive food stack?
1:15–3:12
3
Why are the delivery men compared to acrobats and architects while balancing bowls?
3:12–5:02
4
What activities do the kids practice to mimic the delivery men’s stacking skills?
5:02–6:26
5
How does the sunset change the atmosphere as the delivery men finish their routes?
6:26–7:48
6
What happens when the family finally sits down to eat the soba noodles?
7:48–9:13
7
How is the delivery man’s evening routine portrayed before bedtime?
9:13–10:35
8
What final thoughts does the host share about the story and future episodes?
10:35–11:39