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that somehow connected with hurt creatures!
    Kai’s heart pattered in a wild rhythm. If the fates allowed, this tiny creature could now hop. Dared she hope it might one day soar high as the festival kites? She stroked the chick’s breast in thanks for such a momentous Spring Festival beginning. Perhaps she could help other birds! Oh, never had she dreamed of such a connection with the creatures that she loved! She must tell Old Grandfather! She must—
    “What are you doing?” A shrill voice shattered the magic.
    Old Ling has found us .
    The cranky wife of the shop owner always tottered away on swollen stubs of feet and refused to wait on the Chang daughters. Old Ling had hated Kai since her first moon. Though Kai had asked Mother why, Mother never responded.
    “Stupid girl!” Old Ling plunked down the shop steps. Her jaw gaped to expose the black holes and yellow crags of a filthy cave mouth. She shook a broom at Kai. Bits of straw and mouse dung fluttered in the air. “Why waste time on such frivolity?”
    Kai cupped her hand about her new feathered friend to shield it from Old Ling’s poor feng shui.
    “Why do you not cook and scrub and weed?” Again Old Ling swung the broom, barely missing Kai’s head. “And you, devil bird!” Curse words and spit soiled the air. “We should have finished you off when we had the chance! Both of you, scoot!”
    Kai wobbled to her feet, the chick still in her hands. She pigeon-toed away from Old Ling. The shop door slammed. Old Ling and her ill temper disappeared, though her strange words lingered.
    Kai tiptoed to the chick’s nest home. “You will grow strong, little friend.” She settled the chick by its brothers and sisters and tried to ignore the flapping and cawing mother trembling a nearby limb. “Good-bye for now.”
    Thank-you cheeps streamed from the nest.
    Wind gusts caught Kai’s bubbling laughter and spun it into music. The frog lantern croaked, the elephant lantern trumpeted, the dragon lantern snorted fire. Kai sprinted for home. The alleyways blurred into browns, greens, and slivers of red. Barks, meows, grunts, and mumbles rose from the yards. Animal creatures, all cheering for the work of her healing hand!
    When Kai’s heart threatened to explode within her chest, she slowed to a walk. Her heart stopped its punishment, but a question hammered her mind.
    She entered her house, which was fragrant with the aroma of garlic and tea.
    “Hello, Second Daughter.” Wiping her hands on her apron, Mother turned from a simmering pot. Mother balanced cooking, lesson-preparing, and caring for Third Daughter on her shapely shoulders. What harmony she brought to their home! “The Party has called a special meeting,” Mother continued. “There will be no kite-flying.”
    Kites? Because of her adventure with the bird, Kai had forgotten to buy kite twine, had forgotten about kite-flying with Father. She had not forgotten Old Ling’s strange, hate-tinged words. She held out her arm, as if guiding a kite, but fixed her eyes on the Healing Right Hand. “Old Grandfather?”
    Old Grandfather nodded and puffed his pipe. Smoke ringed his head and drifted to his rounded belly.
    Kai beamed. What honor Old Grandfather brought their family! Could she bring honor, too, with her discovery of a most unusual gift?
    Musty tobacco leaves joined kitchen scents and obliterated the last of Old Ling’s sourness. “Mother! Old Grandfather!” Kai waved her arm. “I have a magic right hand!”
    Mother frowned. “If it is so magic, have it assemble these dumplings.”
    “Daughter, let the little one be. She will work soon enough.” Old Grandfather patted his knees, held out his arms.
    Mother, usually so cheerful, picked up her pot and huffed to the courtyard, most likely to let the stuffing mixture cool.
    Ignoring Mother, Kai shrieked. To be coddled by Old Grandfather, a thing rarely allowed? The right hand had brought not only magic, but good fortune. She would ask Old Grandfather