Jack poured milk over his cereal. His stomach feltfluttery. It was Monday-the first day of a new schoolyear. Jack always felt nervous on the first day. Whatwould his new teacher be like? Would his desk beclose to a window? Would friends from last yea...
Jack couldn't speak. Our passports? said Annie. They -- um -- theygot destroyed in a fire-on the other side of the GreatBridge.The samurai narrowed his eyes. Your passportsburned?he said. Why were you on the other side of theGreat Bridge?We were with...
We did it! said Annie. We made our ownmagic!Yeah, we got the Cloud Dragon to put out the fire,breathed Jack. He felt dazed. Do you think we'renear Basho's house?I think so, said Annie. We asked the CloudDragon to take us there, so I bet she did. Come...
Are you-are you okay? Annie asked Jack. She wasstill holding the wand. Her pigtails blew in the brightwind. Yeah, yeah, but what happened? said Jack in adaze. He was freezing and out of breath. Where arewe?I don't know, whispered Annie. Jack shielded...
Clang, clang, clang! Jack opened his eyes. The sound of bells filled thenight-not the gentle ringing of the temple bells but aharsh clanging. Jack smelled smoke. He and Annie threw off theirmosquito nets and stumbled to the door. Basho was standing i...
Thisis your castle? said Jack. Basho smiled. In my heart, my humble cottage isgrander than all the castles of the samurai, heexplained. And my banana tree is more beautiful tome than all the beauty of the Imperial Garden.Jack and Annie stared at the...
Jack froze. Basho stepped forward. When the two samurai sawhim, they bowed. Good afternoon, Master, one said. Good afternoon, said Basho. These are mystudents, Koto and Baku. I am afraid they left theirpassports at home today.They are your students?...
Basho led Jack and Annie off the Great Bridge anddown a crowded road. They passed huge stacks oflumber. Then they came to a row of stages built alongthe riverbank. On one stage women were dancing. Their faces were painted white. They woreshimmering k...
The three samurai turned to the man with thewalking stick. You know them, Master? one asked. Yes, of course, the man said. This boy and girlare Baku and Koto, my best students.Hi, Master! said Annie, pretending she knew whothe man was. We couldn't fi...
Jack opened his eyes. Soft morning light shoneacross the floor of the tree house. Pink flowersbloomed on a branch outside the window. 24Jack and Annie were wearing brown baggy pantsand brown silk robes with blue sashes. On their feetwere stiff white...