The Magic Wheel: And the Adventures of Ding-How, Ah-So, and Mi-Tu

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

To my heavenly Father, for his inspiration and guidance

Foreword

As I read "The Magic Wheel," I found myself in a world of reality and a wispy cloud of fantasy.

I have enjoyed, observed, learned, experienced, noticed, felt, compared, and contrasted many of the author’s numerous twists and turns of the familiar and the new.

I noticed recurrent themes within the story’s structure: the routine rituals of beginning and ending each trip, the routines of everyday life through personal grooming, eating, resting and sleeping, the respect for others in any and all situations, and the courtesy to each other as well as to strangers.

The air of respect for individual differences in appearance, speech, country, or station in life was ever-present. There was respectful interaction between the characters within the real and the make-believe.

I learned from the many factual pieces of information as they related to geography, dates, and the historic characters.

I was delighted by the authentic, accurate usage of interesting vocabulary and native language vocabulary. The added pronunciation and definition of unusual words allows any reader the dignity of reading and understanding the storyline and the author’s intent. The usage of native accents and dialects added a charming, delightful awareness of the country and the characters, the readers were visiting.

The contrast of the thrill of adventure with moments of respite, when the characters returned home to the familiar, allows the reader a moment to take a breath. Also, the respite moments, when Mom and her children stopped to express their reactions and to review the make-believe as well as the facts of the adventure, were a needed grounding in reality.

The author never spoke down to the reader, no matter the age of the reader.

The ultimate conclusion of this adventure: the birth of our precious Savior, Jesus—His life, His death, His resurrection, His position in heaven, and His invitation to each and all to confess our sins and accept Him as Lord, and ultimately, join Him for eternity. Thus, the awesome adventure is complete!

Amen, and Amen!

Annabelle Zimmerman

Retired Educator

Dinuba, CA

Preface

I began writing this book after my first grandchild was born. Soon after, more came along, and too quickly, they grew up. Before I knew it, great-grandchildren began arriving! After I retired, I resolved to finish writing this book, and I set aside my afternoons so I could work on it. When I resumed writing, I was surprised by how easily the words came. I should not have been surprised … it was a God thing!

The book progressed nicely, until the final chapter. I had in mind how I wanted to end the story, but I struggled with several false starts. I was having difficulty with the location of the final event in the story. This lasted for almost two weeks, so I set the book aside, and I prayed for guidance.

Then, one afternoon, as I sat listening to Christmas music, a seed of an idea began to grow. My prayers were being answered. I began—again—to write the final chapter, and the words came so fast, I could barely type fast enough. When the chapter was finished, I marveled at what had taken place. The phrase God inspired took on a special meaning for me. My heavenly Father had indeed inspired and guided me during the entire writing of this book … not just the final chapter. Therefore, I pray that all who read this book will not only be entertained, but will be touched by the true meaning of Christmas and the gifts of the Magi.

This is for all of you, with all my love. Enjoy!

Acknowledgments

To the memory of Bill Kamrath, my former teacher of journalism and English at Redlands High School, Redlands, California. His interest and encouragement challenged me to further my writing beyond journalism. Bill later joined the faculty of the Journalism Department at El Camino College, Redondo Beach, Califnornia.

To my family for their encouragement, and especially to Vivian and Karen, for their faith in my book and help throughout this project.

To my friends for their support and counsel, and to Jean, Sandra, and Annabelle for their invaluable help.

And to the new friends I met during the preparation and publishing of this work.

Thank you for your expertise!

1

The Adventure Begins

The rain was coming down hard and made a loud noise on the roof. Betsy and Becca pressed their noses against the large living room window. They were twin girls with dark, curly hair and brown eyes. They were nine years old and looked exactly alike.

Mommy, when will the rain stop? they asked Mother as she entered the room carrying a book.

I don’t know. It could rain for days, she replied as she stood next to them at the window. Since you can’t go outside to play, would you like me to read you a story?

Oh, yes, please read us a story, the twins answered happily.

Good. Come with me, and let’s sit on the sofa.

Just then, Jimmy entered the room. May I listen to the story, too?

Of course, smiled Mother as she led the twins to the sofa.

Jimmy tickled his little sisters as they followed Mother. He was twelve years old and had light colored hair and blue eyes.

Mother sat down in the middle of the sofa with Betsy on one side and Becca on the other. Jimmy flopped down on the floor at Mother’s feet. As she opened the book, the twins snuggled closer and asked what the story was about.

It’s about adventures and discovery. Mother smiled as she began to read the story about a pet hamster, a white mouse, and a Siamese cat, and the wonderful adventures they had while their human children were at school. They were the pets of Lu-Chen, a young Chinese boy, and Mei-Mei, his little sister. They lived in Hong Kong, China, with their Mama, Papa, Grandmother, and Grandfather. How the three pets met was an adventure, but the adventures they shared together after they met were … well, very adventurous!

Meet Ding-How

Ding-How was a very wise little hamster. He was kind and a friend to everyone. Many years ago, Ding-How’s great-great-great-grandfather Wellington came from England to live in Hong Kong. He was the pet of the captain of a sailing ship. Together, they sailed around the world to faraway places with strange-sounding names. Finally, they sailed to Hong Kong, where they lived happily ever after. Grandpa Wellington met and married a lovely hamster named Martha, and they had a large family. Ding-How was one of their many offspring.

Lu-Chen’s papa bought a big, shiny cage for Ding-How to live in. It was a beautiful cage with a silvery staircase and a big exercise wheel in the center of the cage. Ding-How was very happy and comfortable. He enjoyed climbing up the silvery stairs that led to a sun porch. On this porch, he could sit and enjoy the warmth of the sun as he looked out Lu-Chen’s open bedroom window. It had a wide windowsill, and many birds, cats, and even an occasional field mouse stopped by to visit. But most of all, he loved to run on his wheel. When he ran on it and thought about a faraway place, his wheel magically took him there!

Before each trip, he packed a few important things into what he called his Bag of Treats. It was made out of soft carpet material. In it, he always packed his little, red Mandarin coat made from brocade and black, Mandarin hat with a long, red tassel. He had these so he would be properly dressed for any occasion wherever he traveled. Other things he always kept in his Bag of Treats were a little pocketknife, a bit of heavy twine, a gumdrop wrapped in shiny green paper, a safety pin, a needle, and most important of all, a compass. The compass was very special because it once belonged to his great-great-great-grandfather Wellington. It was Ding-How’s most treasured possession.

Because Ding-How was very skillful, he was able to understand and speak to the family pet, Polly Parrot, who lived downstairs in the sunroom. He could also understand the neighborhood animals and all the birds. He even understood what the humans said, but unfortunately, they could not understand him.

Ding-How was not only smart, he was wise. Many of his friends came to him for advice. For example, one day Calico, the neighbor’s cat, jumped up on the open windowsill and asked, What can I do to keep the rats from eating my rice? Her golden-colored eyes peered intently at him. Calico was a pretty cat. Her name meant she had fur of three different colors: black, white, and orange. She was proud of the fact that she had calico-colored fur. It made her feel very special.

Ding-How thought and thought … and thought some more. I have it! he shouted, Use a small container with a lid, and keep your rice in it. Then, every night put out some cheese. The rats will smell the cheese and eat it instead.

Calico purred very loudly as she thanked Ding-How for solving her problem.

You are quite welcome, replied Ding-How with a big smile.

Well, I must go, said Calico as she stood up and stretched. I have a large tin can with a lid that will be perfect to hold my cooked rice.

Jolly good! smiled Ding-How.

Good-bye now, said Calico as she turned to leave.

Ta-ta, called Ding-How. He was pleased he could help his neighbor.

Meet Ah-So

One day as Ding-How was napping in his cage under some shredded newspaper, he heard a strange noise. It sounded like scratching and then much huffing and puffing. As he listened, the sounds became louder and louder. He scurried from under the shredded paper and scampered up the silvery stairs to his sun porch. He looked out the large, open bedroom window across from his cage. As he looked, he could hear the strange sounds getting much louder. He was not sure if he should run and hide or wait and see what made the strange sounds. As he wondered what to do, there suddenly appeared a small, white mouse on the windowsill. It had very large ears that flip-flopped wildly as it struggled with a bulging cloth bag.

Whew! the little mouse sighed as he flopped down next to his bag. That was a very hard climb to make, he said out loud to himself. I was lucky to get away from those alley cats.

Hello there! called Ding-How. Are you alright? Do you need help?

Who … who said that? the little mouse asked as he looked around. Do you want to eat me, too? The little mouse began to shake all over.

No, I do not wish to eat you. Please don’t be afraid. My name is Ding-How. What’s your name?

Looking around the large room, the little mouse took a deep breath and answered as fast as he could. Mister Ding-How, I’m glad to know you will not eat me, but I’m still afraid because I can’t see you … oh, and my name is Ah-So. The little mouse gasped for breath as he wiped his brow with the back of his hand.

Pleased to meet you, Ah-So, and just call me Ding-How. If you will look over here at the large cage, you will see me. Ding-How waved his arms over his head. My cage is very close to the window … yes, that’s right … over here … a little more this way …

Oh! Ah-So exclaimed. There you are! I feel much better now that I can see you. The little mouse smiled shyly. "You look harmless enough … for a … a … what are you?"

I am a hamster, and I will not hurt you. In fact, I would like to be your friend. It appears you are in need of one, said Ding-How, smiling at the little mouse.

I’m all alone, and I do need a friend, the little mouse replied sadly.

Oh, my, sighed Ding-How. Why are you all alone?

Well, you see, I lost Yoshiko, my little, human Japanese girl. She always carried me in her pocket, Ah-So explained. I liked sitting in her pocket, because it was so warm and cozy. Tears filled Ah-So’s eyes, and he swallowed hard as he tried to choke back the tears. "We arrived at the dock where a large boat was waiting for us, and as she skipped along the dock, I fell out of her pocket. I was sitting on my furoshiki (foo-row-she-kee), and it fell out too and landed on top of me!"

Oh my, Ding-How sighed again.

Before I could get up, she skipped so far away I could not catch up to her. Ah-So began to cry. "I ran and ran, but it was hard to run fast carrying my furoshiki. And there were so many humans, I was afraid I would get stepped on." By now the little mouse was crying very hard, and he opened his furoshiki and pulled out a big, red-checkered hanky and blew his nose as hard as he could.

Oh, my dear, how very sad for you, Ding-How said gently. So, you were left behind, and your little girl did not know it?

Yes, sniffled Ah-So. He blew his nose again.

"Just think how sad Yoshiko was when she discovered she lost you. Oh my, how very, very sad indeed," Ding-How said, bowing his head in sorrow for the little mouse.

"It would have been a lot sadder if those wharf rats caught me. They looked very hungry, but I got away from them just in time. Then some alley cats chased me. I ran as fast as I could … and with my furoshiki, too! said Ah-So as he patted his large cloth bag. All my favorite things are in here."

Ding-How smiled at Ah-So. "I say, that is quite a story. And I like your furoshiki. It is a very handy way to carry small items. The Japanese mama-sans and papa-sans carry one everywhere they go, said the wise little hamster. But what will you do now? Is your mouse family nearby so you can return home to them?"

No, whimpered Ah-So. They all live in Japan.

I say, old chap, not to worry. You will do just peachy here in Hong Kong.

Ah-So looked closely at Ding-How. You talk funny.

Ding-How laughed so hard that tears came to his eyes.

The words you say sound different from how I say them, continued Ah-So.

That’s because I have a British accent, laughed Ding-How. The British had a great influence here when Hong Kong was under their protection. The King and Queen’s English was taught in our schools so that is why we have a British accent. I picked up mine from my little human boy, Lu-Chen. But his accent goes away when he speaks Chinese.

Oh, said Ah-So, still a little unsure. Will I have to learn how to speak the King and Queen’s English?

Ding-How laughed again. Not to worry, my little friend. You don’t have to do anything.

Can … can you help me find a place to live? Ah-So asked timidly. Anywhere will do … just no cats, please.

Ding-How was quiet as he thought and thought … and thought some more. Then he suddenly exclaimed, Tickle my whiskers! I have it!

Ah-So was so startled by Ding-How’s sudden outburst that he almost fell off the windowsill. Wha-what do you have? Is it catching? Will I get it too? asked the frightened little mouse.

I’m sorry I startled you. It’s just that when I get an idea, and I’m so excited about it, I can barely sit still. Now listen. I have a plan that I’m quite certain will work, said Ding-How as he began to pace back and forth on his sun porch. As he revealed his plan, he gestured excitedly with one hand and then the other. His tiny little stump of a tail twitched excitedly as he continued to reveal his plan to the little mouse.

As Ah-So listened he began to smile, and his smile grew bigger and bigger as Ding-How talked, and talked … and talked. It wasn’t long until Ah-So’s little head was beginning to spin from all the excitement.

Ohhh … ohhh, he moaned. Please slow down.

Splendid! exclaimed Ding-How. It’s settled. You shall live with me here in my cage. There’s more than enough room for the both of us. And Lu-Chen and his little sister, Mei-Mei, will be delighted that I will have someone to keep me company. So you see, everything will be just peachy!

Oh, I don’t know what to say. You are so kind to invite me to live with you. I know we will be great friends, cried Ah-So with tears of joy in his eyes. "Arigato! (ah-ree-gah-toe) Arigato!" he said happily over and over, bowing deeply.

Ding-How smiled and replied, "You are saying thank you in Japanese. You are very welcome, my friend. The Chinese word for thank you is hsieh, hsieh (shey, shey)." Ding-How, in turn, bowed deeply to his new friend.

Ah-So bowed again and so did Ding-How. In Japan and China, bowing was a sign of respect. A bow was also used to greet someone or to thank someone. Both Ah-So and Ding-How had parents who taught them to always be polite.

Do you think you can jump down? See, I will go down my stairs and open the door of the cage. It’s just a very short jump from the windowsill. You are a mouse, and mice are good jumpers. You should be able to do it very easily.

Ah-So replied happily, Yes, I can do that. Here I come!

The little mouse held his furoshiki tightly in his arms, jumped safely down to the floor, and stepped through the open door and into the large cage.

"Jolly good! Welcome to your new home, my friend. Over here is where you can sleep, and you may keep your furoshiki with my Bag of Treats in my—our Secret Place. Come, I’ll show you where it is."

Later, when Lu-Chen came in to play with his pet hamster, he was surprised to see a little white mouse inside the cage. He peered closely at the mouse and smiled when he saw the large ears. Looking at Ding-How, he asked in Chinese, Who is your new friend? He was happy his pet hamster had someone to keep him company.

Ding-How did his best to tell Lu-Chen about Ah-So and asked if he could stay with him in his cage. What Lu-Chen saw and heard were excited squeaks as Ding-How put his arms around Ah-So and smiled his biggest smile.

Lu-Chen opened the cage door, reached in, and carefully picked up the little, white mouse. Let me show you to Mama and ask her if you can stay, smiled Lu-Chen.

"Help!" squeaked the terrified little mouse.

Don’t be afraid, Ding-How called out reassuringly. Lu-Chen won’t hurt you.

Seeing how scared the little mouse was, Lu-Chen reached into the cage with his other hand and picked up Ding-How. He then put his hands together and slowly opened them at the same time. As soon as Ah-So saw Ding-How, he quickly jumped over to Ding-How and snuggled close to him.

As Lu-Chen made his way downstairs, he smiled when he saw his hamster and mouse snuggling. You are very good friends. I think Mama will let me keep you when she sees how friendly you are. But first, let me show you to Polly.

As Lu-Chen entered the sunroom, Polly called out, Hello! Hello! in Chinese.

Hello, Polly, replied Lu-Chen.

Hello! Hello! Polly called out again.

Hello, Polly, answered Ding-How.

Ding-How. Ding-How. Hello, squawked Polly.

Say hello to Ah-So, said Ding-How.

Say hello! Say hello! squawked Polly, flapping her wings.

Look at our new little friend, said Lu-Chen, holding up the mouse.

Say hello to Ah-So, urged Ding-How.

Hello. Ah-So, Polly squawked. Hello, Ah-So!

Lu-Chen began to laugh as he listened to Polly. You have named my little mouse. Thank you, Polly. That is a good name.

Just then Mama entered the sunroom. What is Polly saying? she asked in Chinese.

Polly just named Ding-How’s new mouse friend.

You have a pet mouse? Where did you find a mouse? asked Mama.

When I went to play with Ding-How just now, I found Ah-So in there with him.

So you have named him already?

Polly named him, Mama. Isn’t that funny? May I keep him, please? He is not a field mouse, explained Lu-Chen. He is a white mouse, and I am sure he was someone’s pet before I found him.

"Are you