Tashi 25th Anniversary Edition

by Anna Fienberg

  KIDNAPPED!

  Jack came in the door and flopped down on the sofa. Dad sprawled out next to him. ‘Next time we’re invited to your Aunty Fullpot’s,’ he groaned, throwing the keys onto the table, ‘I’m going to say we’re busy. And as usual, I ate far too much!’

  ‘Me too,’ said Mum, coming to sit on his knee. ‘I had to keep my mouth busy with pavlova, otherwise when she started complaining about Jack’s hair I would have said something rude.’

  ‘Like what?’ said Jack, looking up.

  Mum shrugged. ‘Ever since I was little, Aunty Fullpot’s made me itch with irritation. Look, I’m coming out in hives.’

  Dad nodded. ‘Who does she think she is? Judge Fullpot? Always criticising, sneering at my socks just because they’re different colours. I told her I wear them like that on purpose, but she just kept frowning at them like they were a couple of cockroaches.’

  ‘Oh well,’ said Mum. ‘I’m sure lots of families have at least one difficult relative.’

  ‘Yes,’ said Jack. ‘Do you remember Tashi’s Uncle Tiki Pu?’

  ‘How could we ever forget?’ said Dad, sitting up.

  ‘Well, you should hear the worst thing he did.’

  ‘We should!’ cried Dad, his bottom leaping up and down on the couch with excitement.

  ‘I’ll make us a cup of tea to go with it,’ said Mum.

  ‘And can we have that apple cake from yesterday?’ said Jack. ‘You might have had second helpings at Aunty Fullpot’s, but I was outside sweeping the path and washing the windows.’

  ‘You made a lucky escape,’ said Dad, ‘I’ll tell you that for free.’

  When they were settled comfortably, Jack began. ‘Well, it was like this. Tashi and Lotus Blossom had been practising their tightrope act for the end-of-year concert.’

  ‘I didn’t know Tashi could walk a tightrope,’ said Mum.

  ‘As well as walk through walls,’ added Dad.

  ‘They’re not the same thing,’ said Jack. ‘Tashi says being a good tightrope walker hasn’t got anything to do with magic. It’s practice. And he reckoned he needed a lot of that. Plus peace and quiet. Anyway, as he and Lotus Blossom were plodding up the path, all tired out from practising, they heard angry voices coming from the kitchen.

  ‘Tashi sighed. “That will be Grandma and Tiki Pu. There’s always shouting in our house now that Tiki Pu has come back to live with us.”

  Mum and Dad looked at each other in horror.

  ‘Yes,’ said Jack. ‘Lotus Blossom couldn’t understand it either. “Why did your parents agree to him moving back in with them when they know all the trouble he causes?”’

  ‘Tashi gave another, bigger sigh. “It’s because he’s been making even more trouble for everyone else in the village – even the Baron. It seems he was supposed to sell some turtles for the Baron at a good price, but instead of handing over the money, he kept half of it for himself. Now no one will give him any work or have anything more to do with him; and on top of that he has to pay back the money he cheated from the Baron. The Baron’s been saying if he doesn’t give it back by next week, he thinks that a very nasty accident will happen to Tiki Pu.”

  ‘“Wah!” said Lotus Blossom. “But how can he possibly find the money if no one will give him any work?”

  ‘Tashi held up his hands. “Just what I want to know. Still, it’s not our problem, thank goodness.”’

  ‘Well, I don’t know about that,’ Dad put in, ‘family is family …’

  ‘Yes, but how much do you have to put up with?’ said Mum. ‘Remember the time Tiki Pu —’

  ‘Can I get on with the story? Well, when Tashi walked in the door, Grandma was still banging pots about. “What did he do this time Grandma?”

  ‘Grandma snorted. “Oh, Tashi! You saw the Eight Treasures rice dish I spent the whole morning cooking? Well, I just slipped out to the garden for one minute and when I came back there was Tiki Pu cramming the last spoonful into his mouth!”

  ‘“Oh no! That was for Third Aunt because she’s been sick, wasn’t it?”

  ‘“Yes, it was. Not that Tiki Pu would care. He thinks I like to spend my time cooking just in case he should feel hungry when he comes by. That man thinks of no one but himself.” And she banged another saucepan.

  ‘Just as Tashi was getting into bed that night, Tiki Pu appeared outside his window. “Tashi! Put on your coat and shoes and come out here. I want to show you something.”

  ‘Tashi groaned when he saw the snow was falling but he was curious, too, so he did as he was told.

  ‘“What is it?” he asked, as a bag was dropped over his head and two strong arms wrapped around him. He felt himself being carried bumpily, and dropped into a cart that was waiting in the road behind the house. He kicked and tried to call out but the bag was tied tightly over his mouth. The cart and horse moved off straightaway, and Tashi lay in darkness, shivering.

  ‘The hessian bag smelled of herrings, and Tashi began to gag. He tried to pull at the ties but it was no use. Little pinpricks of light stabbed through – moonlight sparkling on snow, a cooking fire in the forest … But he couldn’t make out where they were headed. He tried to take a deep breath from his belly to calm himself, but the greasy stink of fish nearly choked him.

  ‘At last he sensed someone move through the darkness and the bag was pulled from his head. He wiped his eyes and looked about him. They were on a dark and lonely road. The snow had stopped but it was cold enough

  to freeze his nose and ears. The only light in the world was the lantern tied to the cart. It showed Tiki Pu sitting beside him.

  ‘“Tiki Pu! What are you doing? Where are we going?”

  ‘Tiki Pu frowned. “I don’t like it any more than you do, Tashi, but you must see that I really don’t have any choice. The Baron says that he will punish me if I don’t pay back the money I stole from him and this seems to be the only way I can do it. I’m afraid I’ve arranged to sell you to General Zeng. Oh, and I’ve packed your magic shoes. You know, with all this magic at your fingertips you’re really worth quite a lot of money.”

  ‘“But I’m your nephew! You can’t sell me to General Zeng. Everyone knows how cruel he is. What about our family, how sad they will be if I disappear.”

  ‘“Yes, it’s a great pity,” said Tiki Pu, “but I’ll miss my comfortable bed and your grandmother’s cooking too, Tashi, so you see it’s just as hard for me. I’ve thought and thought and you are the only thing I have to sell.”

  Tashi stared at Tiki Pu in wonder. He started to say he wasn’t Tiki Pu’s to sell, that he didn’t even know how he could be related to such a mean, selfish snake of a man … but he closed his lips tight. Useless.

  ‘Tiki Pu patted his shoulder. “That’s it, you understand. Oh, I haven’t been sleeping at all well, tossing around all night with this problem nagging at me. But now I’ve thought of this plan, everything will be all right. Such a relief, you know.” And he sighed contentedly.

  ‘When they arrived at General Zeng’s castle, Tashi and Tiki Pu were taken to the Great Hall. Marble statues lit by tall candles stood like guards around the walls. Tashi watched their shadows shuddering across the vast floor as the grand doors closed behind them.

  ‘The first thing the General did was to take Tashi’s magic shoes. Then he marched over to his small son, Long Awaited, and placed them at his feet. “Here,” said the General, “put these on and let’s see you jump up and touch the ceiling.” Servants and guards crept in to see, whispering together behind their hands.

  ‘But oh no, as soon as Long Awaited took a step, the shoes fell off.

  ‘“Stupid boy,” shouted the General, red in the face. “Can’t you walk properly?”

  ‘“The shoes are too big,” wailed Long Awaited.

  ‘“Stuff the toes with your stockings then,” the General ordered.

  ‘A servant ran forward and it was soon done. But a sigh of disappointment rose around the room when the boy’s jump was no higher than usual
.

  ‘The General’s face grew dark with rage and he turned on Tiki Pu. “These aren’t the magic shoes. You have lied to me!” He drew his sword.

  ‘Tashi lifted his voice. “The shoes are only magic when they are on my feet, my lord. Look, let me show you.” He slipped them on and leapt, quick as a firefly, up the wall and across the ceiling.

  ‘Everyone gasped in wonder but the General growled, “What good is that to me?” Then a thoughtful look stole over his face, and he put his sword back in its sheath. He studied Tashi for a moment or two, as if weighing something up. At last, to Tashi’s relief, he said, “Now, Tashi, your job will be to keep my son amused and out of mischief.” He chuckled proudly. “His nurse can’t keep up with him anymore. Take Tashi to your room,” he said to his son as he led Tiki Pu away.

  ‘Upstairs, over in the east wing of the castle, Tashi faced Long Awaited. Was he to be this boy’s slave forever? Could he escape? But there was no time to think of a plan now. Long Awaited took a running jump at him, playfully cuffing him on the shoulder.

  ‘“Well,” said Tashi, “tell me, what do you most like to do?”

  ‘“I like fighting and running and jumping and playing tricks on people.”

  ‘Tashi looked out the window. “It’s snowing again, and still dark. Perhaps you would like to hear a story instead? I’ve had quite a few running and jumping adventures in my time.”

  ‘Long Awaited wasn’t sure he wanted to hear any stories at first but in a very short time he was sitting, mouth open, lost in

  Tashi’s world. Just think, no one had ever told him a story before.’

  Dad shivered. ‘Now that’s scary.’

  ‘The next few days with Long Awaited were not easy for Tashi. The boy was used to taking what he wanted and doing whatever he wanted. He certainly expected to win every game they played, and kicked Tashi if ever he should dare to run too fast or catch too many balls.

  ‘At dinner Long Awaited always looked at Tashi’s plate, and if he thought Tashi had a bigger dumpling or a sweeter peach, he would lean over and grab it.

  ‘One day when Long Awaited whisked a sugar bun from under his nose, Tashi laughed, “You are just like someone I know.”

  ‘“Who?”

  ‘“My Uncle Tiki Pu.”

  ‘Tashi was soon even dreading walks down to the village because of the way Long Awaited barged into shops, sneered at the goods and took whatever he liked without paying for it. The shopkeepers were too frightened of the General to say a word.

  ‘One morning the castle was wakened by a great commotion in the courtyard outside. Two covered carts were rumbling through the gates and when the boys ran to the window they saw young men in red and yellow costumes unloading boxes and poles.

  ‘“Hurrah, the rope walkers have come!” cried Long Awaited. “Come and see.”

  ‘During the morning the rope walkers were busy getting ready for the show. They fastened one end of a long rope to a wall above a window on the General’s wing of the castle. The other end was taken across the courtyard and fixed to a hook above Long Awaited’s bedroom window.

  ‘Tashi gasped. “Are they going to walk that rope? It must be thirty metres high! I hope they’ve had a lot of practise … Don’t they use a safety net?”

  ‘“They do have a net in their cart but my father thinks it’s more exciting without one.”

  ‘By two o’clock a large crowd from the village and the castle had gathered in the courtyard. The troupe played some favourite country tunes, finishing with a thrilling drum roll.

  ‘Everyone looked up at Long Awaited’s window. A figure had climbed up and was standing on the windowsill.

  ‘The crowd cheered as he stepped out onto the rope and made a little bow. “How can he do that?” a child whispered. “It looks like magic,” breathed a woman to her husband as she watched the young man walk along the rope.

  ‘When he reached the window on the other side, another rope walker started out, this time juggling three glass balls that glittered like rainbows as he threw them up into the sunlight and caught them. He was followed by another who did a little dance halfway across.

  ‘Tashi thought they were the bravest, cleverest people he had ever seen. How many hours and months and years would they have had to practise to become so magnificent? He wondered if they had started with a wooden plank as he and Lotus Blossom had done, balancing it on rocks just a few inches above the ground. He wondered if he would ever get close enough to speak to them. That night at dinner he wanted only to talk about them, but Long Awaited was strangely quiet.

  ‘The next morning the boy couldn’t be found. Guards were sent looking for him, and all the servants left their cooking and gardening, washing and dusting to search for him.

  ‘Tashi wondered if Long Awaited was playing hide and seek. Before he went to look, he put on his magic shoes. Taking great galloping leaps he sped around the castle and forest, searching in all the boy’s favourite places. He even ran, quick as the wind, all the way down to the cave at the river. The boy wasn’t there. But of course! Long Awaited could never wait long enough to be found – he always dashed out before Tashi had counted to twenty!

  ‘A shout from the courtyard made everyone come running. When Tashi arrived he saw that they were all looking up at Long Awaited’s bedroom window. And there he was, standing on his windowsill, holding a long pole across his chest just as the first rope walkers had done.

  ‘“No, no, no, go back!” Tashi cried, pointing wildly at the window behind him. But Long Awaited gave Tashi a confident smile, and moved out onto the rope. The crowd was still. There was not a sound as the boy took his first step. And then another.

  ‘A gust of wind and the rope swayed a little.

  The smile left Long Awaited’s face and his lips trembled. He froze. His face was white. Desperate, he looked down at Tashi and mouthed the words, “Help me!”

  ‘Tashi cupped his mouth with his hands. In his loudest voice he shouted, “Look straight ahead, keep your eyes in front of you!”

  ‘Just at that moment a crow’s cry cracked through the sky and Long Awaited wobbled. Dropping his pole, he grabbed at the window behind him. In his terror his foot slipped off the rope and he lunged back, missing the window. His hand caught the rope instead, fingers frantically scrabbling to keep hold. With both hands he clung there, swinging in the icy air.

  ‘“I’m coming!” cried Tashi. He knew what he had to do. His toes wriggled deep into his magic shoes and he crouched down, giving himself extra bounce to spring up higher than ever before. In a blink he’d bounded up the wall of the house and slipped inside the window.

  ‘But now Long Awaited was hanging from just a single hand. Tashi could see the knuckles whitening, loosening. He swung crazily for one second, two, three. Only his fingertips were gripping the rope when Tashi reached across, one foot hooked around the windowsill. He grabbed the boy by the arm, pulling him closer until he could grasp both shoulders. Long Awaited nearly strangled him as Tashi dragged what seemed like the heaviest package in the world back through the window and onto the bedroom floor.

  ‘For a moment they clung together, trembling. A shaft of sunlight lit up dancing dust motes. In the quiet, both boys watched them glittering.

  ‘Finally, Tashi smiled. “Well, Long Awaited, I must say that since living here with you, there have not been many dull moments.”

  ‘That night, after Long Awaited had been scolded, he came to Tashi’s room and sat down. “Thank you, Tashi, for saving me,” he said. “I’ve been thinking, you probably miss your family and village a great deal, don’t you?”

  ‘Tashi’s heart leapt. “Yes, I do.”

  ‘“Well, my father is going to send me to school. He thinks I need more than one boy to keep me busy, so since you’ve saved my life he’s agreed that you can go home to your family. Does that make you happy?”

  ‘Tashi beamed. “Yes, very,” he said. Still, he was curious. “How do you feel about my going away?”
/>
  ‘Long Awaited shrugged. “Well, I’d rather you were here to play with me when I’m home from school, but – perhaps you would think that was a bit selfish?” They both laughed.

  ‘“Anyway,” said Long Awaited comfortably, “I can always send for you if I need you.”

  ‘Once he’d been given permission to leave General Zeng’s castle, Tashi didn’t waste a minute. He jumped into his magic shoes and set off for home, laughing joyfully as he bounded over creeks and winding roads and fields of flowering thunder god vines.

  ‘Tashi found his front door on the latch as usual; he quietly pushed it open. A babble of voices was coming from the kitchen. Aha, visitors! He crept down the hall and peeped in. Family and friends were crowded around the table.

  ‘“Are you sure you told us everything you saw that night, Tiki Pu?”

  ‘“How many times do I have to say it?” growled Tiki Pu. “It was dark and sudden. All I know is that three big ruffians jumped from behind some bushes and knocked me out with a club. When I woke up Tashi was gone.”

  ‘“And I keep saying it seems very strange that your cuts and scratches didn’t appear until the next day,” muttered Lotus Blossom.

  ‘Tiki Pu shrugged his shoulders and wriggled uncomfortably in his chair. He turned his head and suddenly his jaw dropped. A look of horror stole over his face as his eyes fell on the figure standing in the doorway.

  ‘“Tashi!” he gasped. Everybody swivelled to look and a great shout went up as they scrambled over to hug and touch and clap Tashi on the back. All except Tiki Pu. He stood back, as the egg noodles he’d had for breakfast came up into his mouth and he swallowed them down again. Finally he pushed himself forward and forced a welcoming smile across his face.