Ch9-Flowers of Edo

CHAPTER NINE Flowers of Edo "We did it!" said Annie. "We made our own magic!" "Yeah, we got the Cloud Dragon to put out the fire," breathed Jack. He felt dazed. "Do you think we're near Basho's house?"

"I think so," said Annie. "We asked the Cloud Dragon to take us there, so I bet she did. Come on, let's find Basho." Jack and Annie stood up and started walking along the edge of the river. They walked barefoot through the mud, under dripping trees. "Hey, there's the clearing," said Annie. Jack and Annie headed toward the clearing beyond the trees and tall grass. "Oh, no!" cried Annie. "Look!" In the clearing, rain was falling on the charred ruins of Basho's house. The

shingled roof and the bamboo walls of the little hut had burned and collapsed. "Where's Basho?" said Jack, scared. "There!" said Annie. The famous poet sat on a log next to his banana tree in the gray rain. His clothes were blackened. His face was covered with soot. He clutched his writing box. "Basho!" yelled Annie. Basho looked up. A smile crossed his dirty, weathered face. "I looked for you by the river, but didn't see you!" he said. "I am glad you are safe."

"We're glad you're safe, too," said Jack. "But your castle! Your castle burned down," said Annie. "Yes. It burned before the miracle of the rain," said Basho, sighing. Jack and Annie sat on the log next to him. Through the smoky drizzle, they all stared at the rubble. Trees and plants dripped with rain. A pigeon cooed. For a long moment, no one spoke. Then Annie broke the silence. "I'm glad you still have your banana tree," she said. "I like the sound of the rain falling on the leaves."

Basho looked up, but didn't say anything. "Yeah, and I like the sound of the river," said Jack. "It's louder now since the rain came." Basho tilted his head as if listening to the rain on the leaves of the banana plant and to the steady rushing sounds of the river. His face softened. "Yes, I like those things, too," he said. He held up his wooden box. "And I still have my poems." "Don't worry, Basho," said Annie. "Everything can be built again."

"And your castle will be even more beautiful than before," said Jack. Basho smiled. "I suppose that is why the ancients called our fires 'the flowers of Edo,'" he said. "What do you mean?" asked Jack. "After something is destroyed by fire, a good new thing often takes its place," said Basho. "Just as after the bleakest winter, beautiful flowers return with the spring." "I'm sure you'll make many beautiful flowers," said Annie. "Thank you," said Basho. "I am sorry, though, that you and Jack will not have