Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr, Ronald Himler Read Free Book Online Page B

anything?” Chizuko exclaimed. “You were only a baby then.”
    “Well, I do!” Sadako said stubbornly.
    After speeches by Buddhist priests and the mayor, hundreds of white doves were freed from their cages. They circled the twisted, scarred Atomic Dome. Sadako thought the doves looked like spirits of the dead flying into the freedom of the sky.
    When the ceremonies were over, Sadako led the others straight to the old lady who sold cotton candy. It tasted even better than last year.
    The day passed too quickly, as it always did. The best part, Sadako thought, was looking at all the things to buy and smelling the good food. There were stalls selling everything from bean cakes to chirping crickets. The worst part was seeing people with ugly whitish scars. The atom bomb had burned them so badly that they no longer looked human. If any of the bomb victims came near Sadako, she turned away quickly.
    Excitement grew as the sun went down. When the last dazzling display of fireworks faded from the sky, the crowd carried paper lanterns to the banks of the Ohta River.
    Mr. Sasaki carefully lit candles inside of six lanterns—one for each member of the family. The lanterns carried names of relatives who had died because of the Thunderbolt. Sadako had written Oba chan’s name on the side of her lantern. When the candles were burning brightly, the lanterns were launched on the Ohta River. They floated out to sea like a swarm of fireflies against the dark water.
    That night Sadako lay awake for a long time, remembering everything about the day. Masahiro was wrong, she thought. The spider had brought good luck. Tomorrow she would remind him about that.
    SADAKO’S SECRET
    It was the beginning of autumn when Sadako rushed home with the good news. She kicked off her shoes and threw open the door with a bang. “I’m home!” she called.
    Her mother was fixing supper in the kitchen.
    “The most wonderful thing has happened!” Sadako said breathlessly. “Guess what!”
    “Many wonderful things happen to you, Sadako chan. I can’t even guess.”
    “The big race on Field Day!” Sadako said. “I’ve been chosen from the bamboo class to be on the relay team.” She danced around the room, gaily swinging her school bag. “Just think. If we win, I’ll be sure to get on the team in junior high school next year.” That was what Sadako wanted more than anything else.
    At supper Mr. Sasaki made a long speech about family honor and pride. Even Masahiro was impressed. Sadako was too excited to eat. She just sat there, grinning happily.
    From then on Sadako thought of only one thing—the relay race. She practiced every day at school and often ran all the way home. When Masahiro timed her with Mr. Sasaki’s big watch, Sadako’s speed surprised everyone. Maybe, she dreamed, I will be the best runner in the whole school.
    At last the big day arrived. A crowd of parents, relatives, and friends gathered at the school to watch the sports events. Sadako was so nervous she was afraid her legs wouldn’t work at all. Members of the other team suddenly looked taller and stronger than her teammates.
    When Sadako told her mother how she felt, Mrs. Sasaki said, “Sadako chan, it is natural to be a little bit afraid. But don’t worry. When you get out there, you will run as fast as you can.”
    Then it was time for the relay race.
    “Just do your best,” Mr. Sasaki said, giving Sadako’s hand a squeeze. “We’ll be proud of you.”
    The kind words from her parents made the knot in Sadako’s stomach loosen. They love me, no matter what, she thought.
    At the signal to start, Sadako forgot everything but the race. When it was her turn, she ran with all the strength she had. Sadako’s heart was still thumping painfully against her ribs when the race was over.
    It was then that she first felt strange and dizzy. She scarcely heard someone cry, “Your team won!” The bamboo class surrounded Sadako, cheering and shouting. She shook her head a few