Mr. Bamboo and the Honorable Little God | Page 2

garden", for I know well how he have like
of play in lovely garden of his home, where, with body of bare, he race
big dragon-flies what paint the summer air all gold and blue. But Tãke
Chan makes the laughs for me when looks so firmly and say: "No. I
have the busy to make ready for honorable guest coming on feast-day
of Christman." All times he not singing he talk 'bout what big welcome
we give to new God.
Ah, that little boy! I can no' make him have the right understand'; but
he walk right into my heart, and give me the joyful of love and much
sad.
No, I never forget that Christmas day. It makes of my mind a canvas
and paints pictures on it what will never wash away nor burn.
In morning, sun 'most so slow climbing over mountain as snail creeping
up Fuji. He get big surprise when his eye come into kindergarten
window and find me very busy for a long time.
All teachers have many works, and very soon they turn their playroom
into lovely feast-place. Paper flowers and ornaments which childrens
build with hands, and red berries they bring from forest, have
expression same as growing from walls and windows. Same thought as
all teachers to give the happy to glad Christmas-day. Many Japanese
childs is just getting news of this birthday.
Quick we put piano where it can sing best, chairs all in circle. Big spot
in middle for tree, which comes at very last from that other room.
While I work postman bring long box from foreign country, which one
teacher open. It had gift for kindergarten. It was such beautiful thing.
Many childrens never see same as this before. All teachers give quick
decide to make secret of present, and put on Christmas-tree as big
surprise.

In very middle of most happy time by opening box, idea arrive in my
mind. Wonder if those coughs permission Tãke Chan to come
kindergarten that day? One desire knock very loud at my heart for that
little Bamboo boy to know rightly 'bout Christ-child. I know for surely.
Once I go to foreign country, and my life have experience of seventeen.
But Japanese child of now must see God and everything.
Then glad thought come. If Tãke Chan do not make absence this day,
his own eye will tell him trulier than stiff speech of tongue that cradle
is not shrine, and Christ child not blazon image of wooden stone, but
great spirit of invisible which have much love for childrens. I learn
those words out of book, but meaning come out my own heart, which I
have the difficult to give childs.
Beginning time for morning march grow very near. Him not come, and
the anxious so restless my body I run to big gate and view round and
up.
Narrow street which walk by kindergarten house most lovely picture
than all other countries of universe. It have many trimmings of flags
and banners for greeting soon coming of New-Year. Even old
plum-trees have happy to break pink flowers out full, and lay on gray
roof to look at bright sun. The big love of my heart for this Japanese
country make me so delightful I have little forget 'bout late of Tãke
Chan till I hear spank of many feet on hard earth. I look, and see one of
those pictures which never melt off my mind. That sound of feet
belong' to soldiers company, and so quick they stop in long line and
hold all hands to hat for salute, I think maybe Oyama San coming. I
give piercing look, and my eyes see marching straight by those big
mens a speck of blue all trimmed with gold braid. It was Tãke Chan.
Same war clothes as his papa, even same number stripes on his sleeve,
and twelve inch' of sword on his side, which make song on heel of shoe
when they walk. Father's two soldiers servants walk close behind Tãke
Chan, and in smiles. Everybody know that little boy, and everybody
love his earnest. I have several feelings when he walk up to me and say:
"New guest have he come? I make ready to welcome with new
clothes."

Ah, me! I have the yearn to convey the right understand'; but he look so
glad to give the welcome, and his war clothes so grand, the feeble fell
on my heart. I not give correction.
One servant say: "Last night Tãke Chan very sick with evil spirit cough.
Mama say rest at home, but he say this great feast-day for new God. He
must for certain come and offer pine-tree and have song and march." I
hurry away with Tãke Chan, and take seat on circle