Eventually Sienna met an old woman on the street. The woman had smiled when Sienna had asked after Zou.
‘It sounds as though you met someone who helped you when you were in great need. All one has to do is trust …’ she said.
Sienna wished she could have said goodbye to Zou and thanked him for everything. But she felt in her heart that he knew how grateful she was to him and the amazing Bai tuzi!
But Gege had a new job, and Feng had a home and was reunited with Gege. He’d be going to school again, and he was Sienna’s friend.
Sienna smiled. She even had her mum back, and her dad. And she’d always have Rufus, no matter what!
Many thanks to Weixiang Wang:
friend, doctor and walking dictionary.
What’s your
invisible animal?
Take this quiz to find out!
1.
You forgot to do your homework. How would your invisible friend help you?
a.
He’d write the most amazing piece of homework for you, even though your teacher might wonder if it’s really yours.
b.
He’d whisper everything you need to know in your ear, so you can quickly write it down in your own words.
c.
He would advise you to go to your teacher and tell the truth. It’s the right thing to do, even though you might get in trouble.
d.
He would give you a big hug and say homework is overrated, anyway.
e.
He would draw an amazing picture of a beautiful landscape in your exercise book that has nothing to do with your homework, but makes your teacher cry.
2.
You’re new in school and feel a bit lonely. What would your invisible friend do?
a.
He’d help you run the fastest time ever at sports day. Everyone talks to you to find out how you did it.
b.
He’d point out the other kids who feel alone and encourage you to get to know them.
c.
He’d give you a push so you stumble into someone, forcing you to start talking.
d.
He would be extra kind and reassuring. Everything is fine as long as you have him.
e.
He would help you to organise the most amazing party that everyone wants to come to.
3.
You’re bored. How does your invisible friend change that?
a.
He takes you on a fun, dizzying rollercoaster ride.
b.
He sneaks you all your favourite treats and chats to you until you cheer up.
c.
You go for a ride on his back through a wild, dangerous forest with the most amazing trees, flowers and animals.
d.
He tells you stories of faraway places, so exciting and vivid that it almost feels as if you were there.
e.
He takes you to a party to meet lots of new friends and their amazing invisible animals.
4.
If you had to choose a special power for your invisible animal, which would you pick?
a.
You’d love to be able to fly – you’d go all over the world together.
b.
The power to understand people’s true meanings and feelings would be really useful.
c.
A strong and fierce companion would be best, protecting you from other invisible friends and teaching you how to fight.
d.
Most of all, you’d like an invisible friend who has the power to sniff out the truth and who is absolutely trustworthy.
e.
You’d love a friend with energy, grace and beauty – everyone who sees him will envy you!
5.
Your (visible!) friend isn’t speaking to you, but you’re not sure why. You ask your invisible friend for advice. What would he say?
a.
‘Don’t worry – she’ll tell you what’s up, or she won’t. You just have to be there for her.’
b.
‘You should talk to her, find out why she’s so quiet. There might be something wrong.’
c.
‘It’s silly for her to ignore you like this! Ignore her right back.’
d.
‘I’m worried. Perhaps we can bake a cake to cheer her up.’
e.
‘Who cares? It’s not worth the effort. You’ve got loads of other friends, anyway!’
6.
You find £20 on the street. What would your invisible friend tell you to do?
a.
He’d tell you you’re lucky – finders keepers! Enjoy it.
b.
He’d wonder who might have dropped the money and why. Maybe it was important. You should probably ask at the local shop.
c.
That money belongs to someone else: it would be wrong for you to take it. Your invisible friend would insist you hand it in to the police.
d.
He’s not sure what’s right, but he won’t tell anyone if you keep it … you probably deserve to buy yourself something nice.
e.
Perfect! He’d suggest you treat your best friend to a cinema trip.
What were your answers?
Mostly a: Your invisible friend is a dragon
The dragon is probably the most popular animal in Chinese mythology. He is a symbol of luck and fortune and one of the twelve zodiac signs. Many Chinese people want their child to be born in the year of the dragon. Dragons are supposed to be born leaders. They are idealists and perfectionists and always proud and generous.
Mostly b: Your invisible friend is a rabbit
The most famous rabbit in Chinese mythology is the Jade or Moon Rabbit. It can make medicine and is a symbol for longevity. Children born under the sign of the rabbit are supposed to be sweet and sensitive. The rabbit is an excellent and very thoughtful friend. He understands you like no one else.
Mostly c: Your invisible friend is a tiger
In Chinese mythology the tiger is brave and fearless and protects good people from evil spirits. If a child is born in the year of the tiger, they are competitive, generous and can be real daredevils. The tiger knows what’s right or wrong and will fight for the good cause, whatever it takes. He loves adventures.
Mostly d: Your invisible friend is a dog
In the Chinese zodiac, people born under the sign of the dog are seen as loyal and kind. They are warm-hearted and considerate. A dog will never leave his friends alone and can be trusted with all secrets. He is also very honest and will tell you the truth no matter what.
Mostly e: Your invisible friend is a horse
Horses stand for power and virtue. When someone is born under the sign of the horse, they are supposed to be active and energetic. They love being in a crowd and always have a lot of friends. Most of all the horse likes to see and be seen.
Barbara Laban: Im Zeichen des Mondfests
© Chicken House Germany, Carlsen Verlag GmbH, Hamburg, 2012
First published in German by CARLSEN Verlag GmbH 2012
Original English translation by Helen Jennings
This version © Chicken House 2016
Illustrations © Kate Rochester 2016
First paperback edition published in Great Britain in 2016
This electronic edition published in 2016
Chicken House
2 Palmer Street
Frome, Somerset BA11 1DS
United Kingdom
www.chickenhousebooks.com
Barbara Laban has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents
Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Convent
ions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this ebook on-screen. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic, mechanical or otherwise, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express prior written permission of the publisher.
Produced in the UK by CPI Group (UK) Ltd, Croydon CR0 4YY
Cover design by Steve Wells
Cover and interior illustrations by Kate Rochester
British Library Cataloguing in Publication data available.
PB ISBN 978-1-908435-93-4
eISBN 978-1-910655-37-5
Moon Princess Page 11
