Mieko and the Fifth Treasure by Eleanor Coerr

Author:Eleanor Coerr
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group

SIX

YOSHI

As Mieko rushed headlong down the mountain she almost bumped into someone.

It was Yoshi.

In a yellow dress and matching bow in her black hair, Yoshi looked like a butterfly. For a few seconds Mieko was too stunned to say anything.

“What’s the matter?” Yoshi asked. “Why are you running? You look scared to death.”

When Mieko could get her breath, she pointed toward the mountain. “Up there,” she panted, “near the stream. A Tengu was chasing me.”

“Are you sure?” Yoshi asked, her eyes full of smiles. “We have no Tengu around here. At least, I don’t think so.”

Mieko’s cheeks turned pink.

“I ... I honestly did hear something. ”

“Probably some small animal.” Yoshi looked curiously at Mieko. “Why don’t you come to school anymore?”

“The doctor told Grandma that I needed a rest, ” Mieko said softly.

“We thought that you didn’t like any of us at school. ”

“But I thought ... ” stammered Mieko, “I thought you might not like me.”

An awkward silence fell between them.

Finally, Mieko said, “Well ... I guess I should be getting back home.”

Yoshi nodded and followed Mieko down the mountain. When they came to Mieko’s yard, Grandma was sliding clothes off the bamboo clothes-line into a basket.

“Hello!” Grandma waved. “Come in and sit down.” She served them a special treat of bean cakes. Grandma asked Yoshi many questions, but Mieko sat silently sipping her tea.

Between bites of the light-as-air crispy pastry filled with sweet bean-jam, Yoshi told Grandma all about herself and school.

“My parents were killed when I was a baby,” she said, “so I live with my aunt and uncle.”

Mieko stared at her in surprise. She had imagined that Yoshi was the luckiest girl in the world who had absolutely everything. She wondered how Yoshi could smile and be nice all the time when she had lost her family.

She accompanied Yoshi to the gate and watched her walk toward home.

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