Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins

Author:Mitali Perkins [Perkins, Mitali]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: General Fiction
ISBN: 9781580893299
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Published: 2010-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

1

The sun is high and shadows are small when we stop to rest near a small spring. It’s only the second day of the journey, but after walking for five hours straight, I’m glad to put down my load.

I wish we could have brought my mule along, but we wouldn’t be able to hide her if we ran into trouble. It was a miracle that we brought her safely from our village to the refugee camp. Mango’s a good little beast. Sa Reh promised to take care of her while I’m gone, but I can’t help missing her as my pack gets heavier by the moment.

I replenish my water supply, and Peh points into a teak grove. “That’s the way to the healer’s hut,” he tells us.

He hasn’t put down his load to fill his canteen. Neither have the other men. They’re used to trekking through the jungle with big loads for weeks.

“What healer?” I ask. It’s my first mission. I’ve been asking questions nonstop.

“Two sisters live in a hut with their grandfather,” Peh answers, handing me my pack. “People in hiding go there for treatment.”

“The younger girl used to come into camp for supplies,” another man adds. “She’s a tough one—makes her way there alone, loads her bag, and heads back again the same day. They say her sister was captured and tortured by the enemy.”

“Shh!” Peh says suddenly. “Listen!”

I strain to hear past the twitter of birds, the trickle of water, the drone of insects. Are those voices? Is that the tramp of boots?

It must be, because Peh pulls me into the trees. “Soldiers,” he hisses.

Every muscle in my body tightens with anger. Those Burmese will stop at nothing. They kill without remorse—that’s why our village had to evacuate three months ago. Most of the villagers hid in the jungle on the Burmese side of the border, but a few escaped into Thailand, like my family. I grabbed Mango and followed Peh and Mua and my sister. None of them turned around. They didn’t see the soldiers burning our home and bamboo grove. But I did. My mind blazes with the memory.

“Get down,” Peh orders now.

We obey instantly, flattening ourselves under the bushes and camouflaging each other with leaves. I reach out one hand and quickly cover the hem of Peh’s trousers and his boot.

“Good work, son,” Peh whispers.

I can’t help feeling pleased, despite the danger. It’s been a while since I’ve heard praise from either of my parents. Lately it’s been lectures from Mua and disappointed looks from Peh. In fact, the entire camp was surprised when he chose me to be a member of the team, but I know why I’m here. I overheard my parents talking when they thought I was asleep. As usual, I was staring into the darkness, remembering the soldiers who burned our house.

“The boy’s changed,” Peh said. “He’s full of anger.”

“It’s that new friend of his,” Mua whispered. “He’s a bad influence.”

“You’re right. Maybe it would be good for Tu Reh to join me on the next mission.

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