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#1: Red Peril Author: Mora, Location: Lancaster

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 7:38 am

Very random little thing that the bunny told me...

It was the red one that caught his eye, a violent assault on the edge of the road. He blinked, squinted, strained his eyes against the sun’s glare. Whatever it was, it wasn’t natural; at least there would be water, shade.
He realised as he approached that it was a sunshade. It towered over the withered little Japanese woman who sat, bent over double, working in the patch of shadow it cast. Her fingers were twisted so that it should not have been possible for her to paint such delicate patterns, to fix the materials as deftly as she was. She was making another parasol. Behind her, he noticed other parasols, neatly stacked according to size, all different lengths and colours. What was she doing here out on the road in the middle of nowhere? How could she hope to ever sell them all? He wondered if she had a son who sold them for her in the nearest city. But the hut that was set back a few paces from the road didn’t look big enough even for her, never mind a son.
She had stopped her work at his approach and was staring up at him, her neck twisted grotesquely to look up from her doubled position on the floor. He stared back, stupid with walking so long in the heat and bright sun.
Water?
The Englishman’s absolute assurance that everyone, everywhere, will understand him.
Water?
She nodded, her face never flickering. He watched her manoeuvre herself to her feet, still without straightening upright. He was strangely detached, standing stiff and dumb when his natural courtesy would normally have made him leap forward to offer his arm. Dazed, he allowed her to take his fingertips very lightly in her hand and lead him to the hut. Surely she didn’t expect him to fit in there? But she pulled him gently through the doorway. Inside, darkness washed him. By the time he could see again he already felt refreshed.
Water?
A girl came towards him from a corner, a cup cradled in her two hands. He took it and drank, relief flooding him. He opened his mouth, raised his eyes to her to say thank you.
She was small, thin, fragile. Her emaciated body was draped loosely in a silk wrapper so thin as to be almost transparent, so much too large for her that it was all but sliding off her bony shoulders. Her tiny, drawn face was painted a garish approximation of the geisha’s style. As his eyes met hers she parted her lips and stretched them painfully outwards. It took him a long moment to realise that she was smiling. As if someone had told her that Englishmen like girls who smile. He thought he might be sick.

When he emerges into the sunlight again he staggers slightly. The old parasol maker is sitting in her place though the patch of shadow has shifted. He empties his wallet and buys her whole stock.

Dear Madge
Am sending over a bunch of parasols that I picked up on the Foreman’s latest jaunt in Japan. Thought your kids might need something to hide under from the sun. I hear it gets quite fierce in the Tirol. Hope you and Joey are both well. Tell her to keep out of mischief. Will write properly soon as I get time.
Dick

#2: Author: Squirrel, Location: St-Andrews or Dunfermline

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 7:40 am

so that is how they got them is it? Very interesting. Thanks Mora

#3: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 7:48 am

How lovely of Dick

Thank you Mora

Liz

#4: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 8:05 am

Thanks, Mora, a lovely kind gesture from Dick.

#5: Author: MaryR, Location: Sale Cheshire

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 8:10 am

That was strangely moving. And I could feel the heat.

Thanks, Mora.

#6: Author: Mia, Location: London

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 9:21 am

Thank you Mora, this was very good

#7: Author: Ally, Location: Jack Maynard's Dressing Room!!

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 9:29 am

Thank you Mora that was lovely and evocative.

#8: Author: Chair, Location: Rochester, Kent, England

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 9:59 am

Thanks, Mora. I had forgotten about the parasols - which book are they in? It was interesting to find out how Dick acquired them though.

#9: Author: patmac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 11:07 am

You painted such a lovely picture there, Mora. Thank you.

#10: Author: Ann, Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 3:57 pm

That was wonderful, Mora, thank you.

#11: Author: Lesley, Location: Allhallows, Kent

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 7:49 pm

Thanks Mora, very evocative picture.

#12: Author: nikkie, Location: Cumbria

Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 8:28 pm

Another gap filled Very Happy

thanks Mora

#13: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 3:58 am

Thanks, Mora -- lovely. It hadn't even occurred to me to ask where the parosols came from....

#14: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2005 8:06 pm

Just discovered this. That is lovely Mora, thanks.

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