The Bamboo Kite
A royal carriage, carrying Sofia and Madeline, flew into Wei Ling.
"Look, we're here!" Sofia pointed.
"It's so good to be back." Madeline smiled.
The carriage landed instead the royal palace. Sofia and Madeline disembarked, and climbed up some stairs, where Jin was waiting.
"Hi, Jin." Sofia smiled.
"Hi, girls." Jin beamed. "Welcome back to Wei Ling."
"Huh, I thought the Festival of Kites starts tomorrow." Madeline mused, seeing many kites in the air.
"It does." Jin declared. "Everyone's just giving their kites a practice flight."
"Wow." Sofia gasped. "I never knew there could be so many different kinds of kites."
"Yes, each village in Wei Ling brings their own special kite to the festival." Jin revealed. "Some of them are made of silk and bamboo, just like in the old days." He grabbed a kite of his own. "But some of the new kites are made out of just about anything. Look!"
The owl-shaped kite descended, hooting and blowing smoke.
"What's that?" Madeline asked.
"That is a new way to fly kites." Jin smiled. "It's my entry for the Festival. It's got all the bells and whistles. See?" He pulled some levers on the spool, activating sounds. "Bells and whistles!"
The kite hooted again.
"It sounds like a real owl." Sofia noted.
"Father has decreed this 'The Year of New Things'." Jin declared. "So I wanted to make a new kite that shows off the latest scientific thinking."
"It's all amazing!" Madeline beamed. "June must be so excited for tomorrow."
"I can't believe she gets to open the Festival!" Sofia added.
"Well... there may be a problem with that..." Jin frowned.
In her room, a sick June sneezed heavily.
"Princess June has the Summer Sniffles." The Royal Sorcerer, Wu Chang, declared. "A week in bed, and she'll be as good as new."
"That's good news." Madeline smiled.
"It's the worst news ever!" June frowned. "If I'm stuck in bed for a week, I can't open the Festival tomorrow!"
"Oh... right." Sofia cringed. "Wu Chang, isn't there anything you can do?"
"Perhaps." Wu Chang mused. "There is a rare healing herb I've heard about that can-"
"Ah, June!" Emperor Quon entered the room. "Good news. I've brought my Advisor on All Things new. If anyone can help you get better, it is he."
The Advisor came to June's bed, and placed a hat on her head. June sneezed, and the propeller at the front of the hat moved.
"Ah, very interesting." The advisor declared.
"Your highness." Wu Chang declared. "Ancient legends tell of a rare flowering herb called Men-saing that will the summer sniffles right away. Now, if we could just-"
"My friend, fear not." Emperor Quon interrupted. "My Advisor of All Things new is on the case. But thank you for your concern."
Wu Chang walked away, dejected. Emperor Quon turned to the advisor.
"Have you a diagnosis?" He asked.
"My analysis indicates the Princess has the sniffles lux oxiva: The Summer Sniffles" The Advisor announced, using an abacus. "The data indicates that if the Princess drinks lots of fluids, stays in bed, and wears this sneeze-measuring headgear, it may reduce her time in bed all the way from seven days down to six and a half days."
"Ai-yah..." Emperor Quon sighed. "I see. Thank you. You may go."
After the Advisor left, Emporer Quon turned to his daughter.
"I know your heart was set on opening the Festival, June, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to appoint it to someone else." He said sadly. "I am sorry."
"I understand, father." June sighed, before sneezing again.
Moments later, Jin and the sisters were walking outside.
"It's just not fair." Jin told Sofia and Madeline. "June's been looking forward to this all year."
"Then we have to find a cure so June can open the Festival tomorrow." Madeline declared.
"But how?" Jin asked. "Even the advisor on all things new didn't come up with anything."
Sofia and Madeline looked over at a pagoda, where Wu Chang was sitting.
"So if new ideas aren't helping June..." Sofia mused.
"Then maybe we need an old idea." Madeline grinned. "Come on, guys!"
They all walked over to the pagoda.
"What are you making, Wu Chang?" Sofia asked.
"A traditional bamboo kite." Wu Chang answered, holding up a colorful, square-shaped kite. "Our people have been making kites like this for over two thousand years."
"Nice, but it could use some bells and whistles." Jin declared.
"Well, I think it's pretty." Madeline declared.
"Me too." Sofia added.
"Thank you, Princesses." Wu Chang smiled. "But today, people seem to prefer their new kites, with their iron gears, and flapping wings, and... never mind all that. How may I help you?"
"We want you to help Princess June." Madeline declared.
"I would like nothing more." Wu Chang stood up. "But I fear the Emperor no longer has use for my ancient ways. I am like the bamboo kite. I have no place here any more..."
"But you said you could cure June quickly using the old ways." Sofia recalled.
"Yes, with the men-saing herb." Wu Chang agreed. "But unfortunately, there is only place to get it..."
Jin followed Wu Chang's gaze, seeing a large mountain.
"Mount Disharn?" He frowned.
"Yes." Wu Change nodded. "It is a long journey."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Madeline asked.
"Yeah, let's go!" Sofia agreed.
"Well... if there's a chance it'll help June, I'm willing to try anything." Jin grinned. "Even old stuff."
"Please, Wu Chang?" Madeline urged.
"For Princess June?" Sofia added.
"Ah, very well." Wu Chang nodded. "For my Princess, I will do what I can."
Moments later, they were ready to leave... except for Jin.
"Sorry!" He apologized, joining them by the front gates, carrying a large wicker cylinder. "I packed a few things we might need to get the job done."
"Like what?" Madeline asked.
"All the latest gadgets." Jin smiled. "My easy-breezy, my perfect pointer, my quintessential quill..."
"Oh." Sofia mused. "We just brought water and snacks."
"I knew I was forgetting something." Jin pulled the cylinder onto his back.
"Come along, children." Wu Chang declared. "Walking will get one farther down the road than talking."
And with that, they began their trek. After leaving the palace in the distance, Jin held up an odd device.
"What's that?" Madeline asked.
"My perfect pointer." Jin declared. "It tells you what way you're going."
"Well, what way are we going?" Madeline asked.
"That way." Jin pointed.
"I use the ancient method to find which way to go." Wu Chang announced.
"What's that?" Jin asked.
"I look at the sun." Wu Chang pointed upwards.
"What do you do when it's cloudy?" Jin asked.
"Uh... well..." Wu Chang said, flustered.
"You know, you should really get one of these." Jin held up his perfect pointer.
"Hmmm." Wu Chang sighed.
They soon reached a large wall.
"Whoa." Sofia gasped. "This wall is huge!"
"Yes." Wu Chang nodded. "The Da-chain wall runs round all of central Wei-Ling."
Jin rushed over, taking in all sides.
"But... where's the gate?" He asked.
"Many miles away." Wu Chang answered. "Meaning we must go over the wall. But fear not. I know an ancient levitation spell to get us to the other side." He sat down, crossing his legs. "Be patient, young ones." He placed his feather inside a piece of bamboo, and held it upwards. "This may take some time."
Wu Chang closed his eyes and started humming, waving the bamboo around.
"How long are we supposed to wait?" Jin asked.
"I don't know." Madeline shrugged.
They waited a few more moments.
"Okay, that's it." Jin rummaged in his pack. "We don't have all day if we're going to help June."
Jin pulled out a crossbow-like device. Pointing it upward, he fired an arrow attached to some rope. The arrow landed on top of the wall, catching on the side. Jin grabbed hold of Sofia, who then grabbed Madeline. Jin then retracted the rope, carrying them up to the top of the wall.
Meanwhile, Wu Chang continued mumbling, floating a few feet off the ground.
"Alright, children." He opened his eyes. "Ready?"
"Come on, Wu Chang!" Sofia called from on top of the wall.
"Oh..." Wu Chang sighed, levitating himself up and over the wall as Jin and the girls rappelled down the other side. As they landed, Jin stumbled backwards, while Wu Chang landed smoothly, then kneeled down.
"Wu Chang, are you okay?" Madeline asked.
"Oh, I have not levitated in years." Wu Chang said, tired. "I had forgotten the energy it takes. Especially on a hot summer's day."
"Would you like some water?" Sofia asked.
"No thank you, Princess." Wu Chang pulled out a green fan. "With my fan, I'll cool down in no time..."
Wu Changes fan was blown away by a mechanical fan device of Jin's.
"My easy-breezy will cool you off super fast." Jin smiled. "See? New gadgets get the job done super-fast!"
"Perhaps the Emperor is right to set aside old ways like mine." Wu Chang sighed.
"Well, new ideas could cure June's Sniffles in time." Sofia pointed out.
"But you can." Madeline added. "And when you do that, the Emperor will remember how important the old ways really are."
A chattering sound filled the air.
"Are you hearing that?" Jin asked.
"What is it?" Sofia frowned.
A large panda suddenly emerged from the bamboo.
"Big finish..." He spun around. "Ta-daa!"
The humans applauded, to the panda's delight.
"An audience." He grinned. "A real audience, and they like me!" He bowed. "Thank you so much!"
"You must be one of the magical talking pandas from the north forest." Wu Chang declared. "Greetings. I am Wu Chang."
"Hiya." The panda smiled. "I'm Kai."
"I am Prince Jin." Jin declared. "And these are Princesses Sofia and Madeline."
"The Imperial Sorcerer, the Prince of Wei-Ling, and two Princesses?" Kai bowed. "I am at your service."
"You are such a good dancer." Madeline smiled.
"Thank you!" Kai grinned. "It's so great to hear that! There's no-one to watch me dance in the bamboo forest, and I know, like, a billion dances? Wanna see 'em?"
"Um, I'm so sorry, but I don't think we have enough time." Jin put away his easy-breezy. "We have to get to Mount Disharn and back by sundown."
"Oh, okay." Kai's face fell. "You're in a hurry, sure. I understand. I was a little lonely. I'll admit, I got a little worked up."
Sofia and Madeline frowned as Kai turned around.
"I'll just go dance by myself some more." He sighed. "Over here. By myself..."
"Wait!" Sofia called.
"No, it's okay." Kai replied. "It was so nice to finally dance for someone. Thank you. Farewell, and good luck on your journey."
Kai walked through the bamboo.
"Can't we just stay for one dance?" Madeline asked Wu Chang. "He's so lonely."
"And it would make him so happy." Sofia added.
"We're trying to help June." Jin reminded them. "And we're barely going to get to Mount Disharn, get the men-saing, and get back in time as it is!"
"Ah, but Prince Jin, those who turn aside to help someone in need may also be helping themselves." Wu Chang declared.
"Do you mean if we help him, he might help us too?" Madeline inquired.
"Exactly so." Wu Chang nodded. "Come."
They followed Kai's path, finding him sleeping in a hammock. He suddenly fell out, laughing awkwardly.
"You're back!" He rushed over. "Oh, this is my lucky day. Please sit!" He pushed a large rock over. "Pull up a rock, take a load off!"
Kai nudged another rock, which slid across the grass, picking up Sofia, Madeline and Jin.
"This is so great!" Kai grinned. "See, lizards don't like dance. And bamboo rats are not friendly, so my only audience is that sloth!" He pointed to a sloth hanging from a nearby bamboo stalk. "Buuuut... he never really says anything. I'm not even sure he's awake."
The sloth slowly blinked.
"Oh, he is!" Kai declared. "Hi!"
"Well Kai, we have time for one dance." Sofia smiled.
"So what would you like to show us?" Madeline asked.
"Right. of course." Kai nodded. "You're in a hurry. So let's see. Which dance, which dance..."
Kai opened a wall of bamboo like a door, and entered. Then he quickly emerged. "I know!" He clapped his hands, and a spotlight shone on him. "Oh, and feel free to get up and dance if the feeling strikes ya."
Kai: My family just wanted me to do like all pandas do
Climb up into the trees and gather all kinds of bamboo
They said I should toe the line but my toes just couldn't help tapping
It was dancing that made me feel fine, shuffling and kicking and clapping
So I told them
This panda just wants to dance to boogie the whole day away
To twist and to stomp and to prance it a black and white bear cabaret
He helped up Sofia and Madeline, dancing with them.
Kai: This panda just wants to dance
To shimmy and shake and move it
I'm more than you see at first glance
And I got the slick moves to prove it.
Kai spun Sofia and Madeline back to their seats.
Kai: So I packed up and left home for good
I went out in search of my dream
I was free to dance all I could
But it wasn't as fun as it seemed
Cause I haven't found people to dance for
No one's been around for miles
Though I'm ready to burn up the dance floor
I've been all alone in the wild
Until now
This panda is ready to dance
To boogie the whole day away
I twist and I stomp and I prance
It's a black and white bear cabaret
Kai helped up Wu Chang, who danced alongside him.
Kai: This panda just wants to dance
To shimmy and shake and move it
I'm more than you see at first glance
And I got the slick moves to prove it.
All the humans started swaying to the beat.
Kai: This panda is ready to dance
To twist and to stomp and to prance
I'm more than you see at first glance
And I got the slick moves to prove it
Kai dropped on his back, then tilted back up.
"Big finish..." He flipped over to his audience. "Ta-daa!"
The others applauded.
"That was great!" Sofia smiled.
"Incredible!" Madeline added.
"It really was." Jin admitted. "But walking will get one farther down the rood than talking, right? So..."
"Hey, my dad used to say the same thing." Kai joined them as they walked away. "'Cause I talk all the time, which was his point. So I won't keep you by gabbing, but thank you so much for being my audience. ...Were are you all going again?"
"To get some Menseng for a sick friend." Sofia declared.
"It is found on Mount Disharn." Wu Chang added.
"Oh, that's a long way off." Kai declared. "You'll never reach it by sundown on foot."
"I knew this would happen." Jin groaned.
"Don't worry." Kai smiled. "You did me a favor. Now I'm going to do you one. I'll get you that Menseng in no time." He ducked into some bamboo, pulling out strange objects. "With this."
"What is it?" Madeline asked.
"Why, it's Bamboost!" Wu Chang gasped. "But I thought it was all gone from this part of the kingdom. Bamboost was very popular among the ancients."
"Why was it so popular?" Jin asked.
"It's not because of how it tastes, I can tell ya that much." Kai grinned.
"Bamboost was known for its magical, elastic properties." Wu Chang declared.
"Like... bendable?" Sofia asked.
"Exactly." Kai handed out the Bamboost. "Come on, I'll show ya. Do what I do, and I'll get ya to that mountain before ya know it."
The group started bouncing toward the mountain, using the Bamboost as pogo sticks.
"Woo-hoo!" Madeline cheered.
"Bamboost is awesome!" Jin declared, as they landed near the mountain. "That was a blast!"
"Ah, made me feel like a young man again!" Wu Chang smiled.
"And you were right, Wu Chang." Sofia added. "Stopping to help Kai did help us. We got here so fast!"
"But... where is Kai, anyway?" Madeline looked around.
Kai bounced downwards, moving even closer to the mountain.
"Big finish..." He slid on his feet as he landed. "Ta-daa-oof!" He slipped and fell on his back. "Ow..."
The other applauded as they joined Kai.
"Thank you." Kai smiled. "It means a lot." Sofia handed him the Bamboost. "Thanks."
They kept on walking.
"So where do we find the Menseng?" Jin asked.
"There." Wu Chang pointed up the mountain.
They looked up to the tall peak, Kai falling on his back again.
"How do we get all the way up there?" Kai asked. "Bamboost won't bounce us up that high!"
"'We'?" Jin asked. "You're coming too?"
"I told you I'd get ya to the Men-saing, remember?" Kai smiled.
"Hey Jin, can we use your grappling hook to climb up the cliff?" Madeline asked.
"Let's try it." Jin nodded. He pulled out the crossbow, and fired. The arrow went up a few dozen feet, then dropped down onto the grass. "I don't think it'll reach! What are we gonna do?"
"Turn to the old ways, Prince Jin." Wu Chang declared. "I shall use my ancient magic to get us to the top of the mountain. Now, everyone on this log, please."
They all sat on a large log. Kai flipped across, landing on the edge.
"I move well for my size." He smirked.
Wu Chang placed his father in the bamboo shoot and started muttering again. The feather glowed blue as he waved it around. The log rose up in the air, carrying them up the mountain. But it started to wobble.
"We are too heavy." Wu Chang frowned. "I do not think I can hold us."
"Look, there's a ledge!" Sofia pointed.
"Do you think you can reach it, Kai?" Madeline asked.
"I think so." Kai nodded. He crawled inside the log, emerged from the other end, and grabbed the ledge. "Climb over me."
The others walked over Kai's body. Once they were across, the log fell, and they helped Kai up. They pulled him hard enough that he flipped right over them, landing on his stomach.
"I am so sorry." Wu Chang apologized. "You could have been hurt. I wanted to prove the old ways were better, but perhaps they really do belong in the past."
"It's okay, Wu Chang." Jin smiled. "My grappling hook should reach the top from here."
Kai lifted Jin up, pointing him toward the plateau on top of the mountain. As the others held on to Kai, Jin fired the grappling hook. The arrow successfully latched on to the edge of the cliff, and pulled them all up. They tumbled onto a patch of grass. Jin retracted his arrow, while the others looked around.
"This is incredible!" Sofia gasped at the natural beauty.
"So much color!" Madeline gazed at the flower.
"There is more than enough Mensaing to brew a healing tea for Prince June." Wu Chang picked one of the flower.
"And that sunset is spectacular!" Kai grinned at the horizon.
"Sunset?" Sofia frowned.
"Oh no!" Jin gasped. "I didn't realize it was getting so late! We'll never get back with the Menseng in time to help June!"
"Do not feel bad, young Prince." Wu Chang consoled him. "My old ways caused problems from the beginning, and delayed us far too much."
"But Wu Chang, without your old ways, we would never have become friends with Kai and found the Bamboost." Jin declared.
"And without your new ways, we would still be stuck on that ledge." Wu Chang countered.
"I'm no expert. I mean, I'm just a magical talking panda who happens to be an amazing dancer." Kai admitted. "But it sounds to me like there's a place for both ways, is what I'm saying."
"Wait, that's the answer!" Madeline realized. "If we want to get back in time to help June, we need old ideas, and new ideas!" She pulled up a bamboo shoot.
"What do you have in mind, Maddie?" Sofia asked.
"I'll show you." Madeline used the bamboo to draw on the ground. "Let's make a kite. A great, big kite. Just like the one you made, Wu Chang. Only bigger. Way bigger."
"Ah." Wu Chang nodded. "I see now, Princess. Yes, that could work. But we must hurry."
"He's right." Sofia admitted. "The sun is setting fast. We need to work faster."
They all got to work on building the kite, using the surrounding bamboo to make it. Soon, they were finished.
"One traditional bamboo kite, big enough to carry us home." Wu Chang smiled.
"An old idea, and a great one." Madeline grinned.
"Really great." Sofia smiled at her sister.
"But there isn't enough room up here to run with the kite to get it into the air." Jin pointed out.
"That's where the new idea comes in." Madeline pulled out Jin's easy-breezy, and placed it on the back of the kite. She then added some large leaves to it. "This should give us the extra list we need."
"Exactly." Wu Chang nodded. "Come. Let us gather the Mensaing."
"No need." Kai held some up. "I did that for you." "Ta-daa."
"Wow." Sofia smiled. "Thanks, Kai."
"No, thank you all." Kai bowed. "You don't know what it means to me to know someone likes my dancing."
"We love your dances." Madeline beamed.
"Why don't you come with us?" Sofia asked. "It's so lonely out in the bamboo forest all by yourself."
"Thanks for the invite, Sofia." Kai smiled. "But I think it's about time I get back to my family."
"Why now?" Madeline asked.
"You made me realize I need to honor my family's old ways and make them appreciate my new ways... the dancing, I mean" Kai declared. "And... I miss my mom."
"We're so glad!" Sofia said, as she and Madeline hugged him.
"But we'll miss you." Madeline added.
"Thanks again, my old friends. My path takes me..." Kai spun on the spot, pointing to the east. "That way!"
Kai danced away.
"Hurry." Wu Chang urged. "We must be going!"
"Right." Jin nodded.
"Bye!" Sofia waved to Kai.
Moments later, they were ready to go.
"Okay everyone, on the count of three." Madeline declared. "One, two, three!"
Jin threw the easy-breezy into motion.
"Come on, Jin!" Sofia called.
Jin grabbed on to the kite as they started to run. They neared the edge of the plateau, and jumped off, the kite carrying them into air the with speed and grace.
"It's working!" Jin cheered.
They flew all the way towards the palace, passing some glowing kites along the way.
"What are those?" Madeline asked.
"Night kites." Jin answered. "We're almost home!"
They soon landed inside the palace grounds.
"Come on!" Sofia urged, as they climbed out of the kite. "We have to hurry!"
Inside, June was still feeling sick.
"Ah... ah... ah-choo!" She sneezed.
The girls and Jin ran into her room.
"Girls, I want you to do something for me." June declared. "I want you to be the ones who... who... choo!" She sneezed again. "'excuse me."
"June, listen-" Madeline started.
"No, wait!" June interrupted. "I told my father I want you to be the ones who open the Festival tomorrow.
"Well, I don't think the three of us will be able to do it." Sofia grinned.
"But I, ah... ah-choo!" June sneezed again. "'excuse me. But I can't!"
Wu Chang entered, carrying a cup of tea.
"To your health, Princess June." He offered it to June.
As Emperor Quon and his advisor entered, Wu Chang turned to them.
"It is a healing tea, my Emperor." Wu Chang declared. "Brewed from the rare MenSaing herb."
Emperor Quon and the Advisor looked at each other, unsure.
"It's worth a try." Madeline pointed out. "Isn't it, your majesty?"
"We went through a lot of trouble to get it, father." Jin added.
"...Proceed." Emporer Quon nodded.
June drank the tea.
"Ah... ah... ah..." She glowed for a moment. "Ahhh... I don't have to sneeze!" She took off the hat. "Wu Chang, thank you!"
"A most excellent solution!" The Advisor admitted.
"Please accept my apology, Wu Chang." Emperor Quon declared. "I believed that newer always meant better. But from now on, I shall always heed the words of my wisest consellor."
Wu Chang looked in the Advisor's direction, and Emperor Quon laughed.
"You, my old friend!" Emperor Quon chuckled.
The next day, June indeed opened the Festival, standing before the gathered crowd.
"Honoring the old and celebrating the new, I hereby open the Festival of Kites!" She announced. "Release the Wei-Ling dragon!"
Two servants opened a large box, and a long, dragon-shaped kite emerged from it. The crowd cheered as other kites joined it. Sofia handed June a spool. Then they heard a flute. They turned to see Kai playing it, and dancing up the steps.
"Kai!" Sofia and Madeline smiled.
"I was on my way home, them I saw all these kites, and I just had to check this out first!" Kai admitted. He flipped backwards. "Big finish!" He slid over to the girls, did a handstand, and lifted them up on his legs. "Ta-daa!"