Gaius had put the finishing touches to his Moon Lantern, which was fashioned in the likeness of a volcano. Lavender and Baby Pierre made tiny Moon Lantern volcanoes for themselves with leftover rice paper and bamboo.
Come on, said Gaius. We don't want to be late for the parade. It starts at ten past seven.
They caught the bus to the edge of town and walked to Elder Park in the gathering dusk.
There are too many clouds, said Lavender. We won't be able to see the full moon.
Don't worry, said Gaius. The moon will appear through the gaps in the clouds.
When they arrived they lined up with the others along the river bank. The moon lanterns glowed magically against the gleaming black water. At ten past seven they began to move forward. Gaius, Lavender and Baby Pierre were behind a giant moon lantern rabbit, and in front of Astro Boy flying over the moon.
There's a dragon! said Baby Pierre. And a tiger!
Look at all the people, whispered Lavender, as they turned in front of the main stage. She waved her volcano moon lantern slowly up and down as she walked.
Someone in the crowd clapped and called out " Beautiful!"
Lavender turned her head and saw that the person clapping was looking straight at her.
She felt inexpressibly happy.
Showing posts with label bamboo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bamboo. Show all posts
Monday, September 12, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Immersions
Farky stood outside the old Elephant House in his plastic Panda Hat, stricken with thoughts of mortality.
You need cheering up Farky, said Sweezus. This is a sad part of the zoo. I'm going to take you to an Immersion.
An Immersion! said Farky. His ears pricked up, setting his Panda Hat askew. What's that?
I read about Immersion while I was inside the elephant house, said Sweezus. It's when the Zoo tries to make you feel as though you're totally immersed in the animals' habitat. For example, you walk along a narrow jungle trail lined with tall bamboos and emerge onto a high wooden viewing platform right under a treeful of gibbons.
Gibbons! said Farky. Are they alive? he asked, suspiciously.
Of course they are, said Sweezus. Come on let's follow our map.
They passed the giraffe enclosure, which seemed too small for the two tall giraffes who lived there. A meerkat in an adjoining enclosure paced up and down on the concrete just inside the fence. A sun bear looked decidedly depressed. Sweezus hoped they would soon find an Immersion.
Farky had recovered from his existential moment. He was bounding ahead along the path sniffing at smells. When he reached the Nocturnal House, he stuck his head in. Near the entrance was a sign that said Shush! The Ghost Bats have just had babies. Please help them by being as quiet as possible. He tiptoed in.
You need cheering up Farky, said Sweezus. This is a sad part of the zoo. I'm going to take you to an Immersion.
An Immersion! said Farky. His ears pricked up, setting his Panda Hat askew. What's that?
I read about Immersion while I was inside the elephant house, said Sweezus. It's when the Zoo tries to make you feel as though you're totally immersed in the animals' habitat. For example, you walk along a narrow jungle trail lined with tall bamboos and emerge onto a high wooden viewing platform right under a treeful of gibbons.
Gibbons! said Farky. Are they alive? he asked, suspiciously.
Of course they are, said Sweezus. Come on let's follow our map.
They passed the giraffe enclosure, which seemed too small for the two tall giraffes who lived there. A meerkat in an adjoining enclosure paced up and down on the concrete just inside the fence. A sun bear looked decidedly depressed. Sweezus hoped they would soon find an Immersion.
Farky had recovered from his existential moment. He was bounding ahead along the path sniffing at smells. When he reached the Nocturnal House, he stuck his head in. Near the entrance was a sign that said Shush! The Ghost Bats have just had babies. Please help them by being as quiet as possible. He tiptoed in.
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