Bruce Lansky [Girls to the Rescue 02] Girls to the Rescue Book 2 (pdf)

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.Thorns caught at her pants and scratched her sandaledfeet.Finally she reached the paved road to town.Sheraced along it until she was almost exhausted.Yahya,whimpering now, felt heavier and heavier.But Halima did not stop; she hurried on and on.She passed the school, where children were shoutingand laughing in the yard, and the mosque, with its tallminaret broadcasting the morning call to prayer.Finally she saw a white building.A red crescentmoon was painted on the wall: surely it was thehospital! Thankfully, Halima stumbled through thedoor.Late that evening, Halima s father found her near-ly asleep by Yahya s hospital bed. She s a brave girl, and intelligent too, Halimaheard the doctor whisper to her father. She evenbrought the scorpion so we knew exactly how to treatthe baby.It was a serious sting.The little boy mighthave died if she hadn t brought him here so quickly.Her father watched Halima and his peacefullysleeping son for a while.At last he said, I saw yourJust a Girl 79message and came right away.Halima, I m proud ofyou.You ll be a good mother someday. I knew how to find the hospital because Ahmadtaught me its sign, Halima told him. I wish I couldlearn to read the word for hospital, though, and lots ofother words! Is that right? asked her father thoughtfully. Well, how would you like to be the first girl fromour village ever to go to school? Oh, Father! Halima exclaimed, flinging herarms around him.Soon Halima was the happiest, hardest-workinggirl in first grade.The CleverDaughter-in-LawADAPTED BY BRUCE LANSKYFROM CHINESE FOLKLOREThe evening sun streamed through the tea housewindow as Old Chang sipped hot tea and counted hisblessings.If you looked carefully, you could see asmile on his face as he silently expressed gratitude fora trustworthy wife, a close-knit family, and asuccessful tea house that provided a comfortableliving for them all.But although Old Chang had succeeded inbuilding a successful business, he had not yet figuredout a way to retire.He still worked from dawn to dark8182 Girls to the Rescue, Book #2most days, because whenever he let one of his threesons run the tea house, something would go wrong.His eldest son was impractical.He could notcarry out the simplest task without making a mess ofit.His middle son was quick-tempered not the kindof person who could get along with others.Hisyoungest son was good-natured, but lazy.He wasmore likely to be late to work than on time.OldChang could not turn his business over to any of hissons.So, he would have to find someone else.Old Chang s two older sons were married, buttheir wives had not shown much interest in the teahouse.Old Chang wondered whether either of themmight have the talent to manage it some day.But howcould he find out? He decided to discuss the matterwith his wife and trusted advisor, Jiao Peng. Before you offer them responsibility, shesuggested, why not test them to see how clever theyare? I would be very happy if I discovered that theywere half as clever as you, Old Chang responded.Then he summoned his daughters-in-law.The young women stood before the head of thehousehold with worried expressions on their facesand wondered why they had been called.Perhaps,they thought, they had done something to displeaseThe Clever Daughter-in-Law 83Old Chang.But instead of a reprimand, Old Changsurprised them. Neither of you have been home tovisit your parents for quite a while, he told them. Spring is a beautiful time of year to travel.Perhapsyou would like to go home to see your parents?Mei Ling, the older daughter-in-law, said, Thankyou, Honorable Father.You are very thoughtful.Jing Wei, the younger daughter-in-law, said, Ihave not seen my parents for more than a year.Iappreciate your kind offer.As the young women were leaving the room, OldChang called out, One more thing.A small favor, ifyou don t mind.They stopped and turned around, Yes, HonorableFather? Mei Ling asked. Mei Ling, as a special favor, would you pleasebring back a fire wrapped in paper? Of course, Honorable Father, Mei Lingresponded dutifully. And, Jing Wei, I have a favor to ask of you aswell.Would you please bring me the wind s song? With pleasure, Honorable Father, said Jing Wei,bowing.Puzzled, the two young women turned and leftthe room.They packed quickly, took leave of theirhusbands, and were soon on their way.It was a bright84 Girls to the Rescue, Book #2spring day perfect for traveling.As they walked,they talked.And what they talked about were theunusual requests Old Chang had made. What on earth do you suppose he meant by a fire wrapped in paper ? asked Mei Ling. I have no idea, Jing Wei answered. Can youhelp me figure out what he meant by wind s song ? I don t have a clue, answered Mei Ling. But Ido know this.If we don t bring back whatever it wasthat he requested, we will be in deep trouble.The more they talked, the slower they walked.Soon they had stopped walking altogether and weresitting at the table of an inn near the village, trying tofigure out Old Chang s riddles.A waitress with long pigtails stopped to take theirorder. What would you like? she asked.Without thinking, the young women blurted outwhat was on their minds: I d like a fire wrapped in paper, Mei Linganswered. I d like the wind s song, said Jing Wei. I m sorry, but we don t sell lanterns or windchimes here.Try the market in Shanghai.Now, whatwould you like to eat? the waitress asked.The Clever Daughter-in-Law 85Mei Ling s mouth dropped open. Thank you sovery, very much! she exclaimed.She reached intoher purse and pulled out a silver coin, which she puton the table. You don t know how much you vehelped me.Suddenly, I m not hungry. Come to think of it, I m not hungry either,echoed Jing Wei as she dropped a silver coin on thetable. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.Mei Ling and Jing Wei left the inn without eatinga bite.Smiling, they began the long journey towardstheir parents homes at a brisk pace.When they returned the following week, the firstthing that Mei Ling and Jing Wei did was visit OldChang.First Mei Ling handed him a beautifullywrapped gift. Here is the fire wrapped in paper yourequested, she said, bowing. I hope you like it.When Old Chang unwrapped the paper lantern,his eyes opened wide with surprise. Thank you somuch! he exclaimed.Then it was Jing Wei s turn to hand him awrapped gift. I brought you the wind s song.I hopeit pleases you.When Old Chang had unwrapped the windchimes made of oyster shells, the surprise on his facewas even greater.86 Girls to the Rescue, Book #2 I could not be more delighted, he said. Icongratulate you on solving the riddles. Bothdaughters-in-law smiled proudly. Now tell me, howdid you do it? he added. Well, to tell the truth, began Mei Ling, we didhave a little help. Actually, we were quite confused until we met awaitress with pigtails at the inn on the edge of town,added Jing Wei. Hmmm, thought Old Chang as his daughters-in-law left the room [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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