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said, and she had meant her mother as well. However, Peiyi’s mother had not only left but was also never coming back. All that Peiyi saw of her mother now was a carved name on a cold, dark stone.
    “
EERRR-rripp!
” the toad said. Rendi saw that the toad was leaving the room. He followed.
    The toad turned into the hallway, leaping confidently. Rendi felt his amusement returning.
Hop! Plop! Hop! Plop!
Each jump gave a resolute thud, and the toad continued forward with a determined air. As they got closer to the dining room, Rendi could hear people talking.
    “… He’s always angry. He doesn’t care about anyone except himself. He hasn’t ever smiled or laughed or been nice since he’s been here!” Peiyi was saying.
    “Never smiled?” Madame Chang said thoughtfully. “He’s too young to be that troubled.”
    Rendi realized they were talking about him and tried to retreat, but it was too late. “
EERRR-rripp! EERRR-rripp!
” the toad called loudly, announcing their presence. Everyone turned toward them, and Rendi froze in the entryway.
    But no one was looking at Rendi. All eyes were on the toad. Despite Master Chao’s look of horror, it was gleefully leaping across the floor, making croaking sounds like guffaws of laughter. With a last great joyful spring, the toad bounded into the air and onto Mr. Shan’s ragged, unkempt lap.



CHAPTER
11
    Rendi looked down at his rice. He wasn’t sure if he was more surprised that he was sitting at a dining table reserved for guests or that Madame Chang was smiling. Because instead of being disgusted that a fat toad had landed next to her, Madame Chang had beamed as if greeting an old friend. Her welcome had included Rendi, who she had insisted sit with her, Mr. Shan, Peiyi, and the toad for lunch. Master Chao had shrugged permission, Madame Chang’s choice of a chore boy as a dining companion as perplexing to him as her choice of the toad.
    However, the toad’s company seemed to be more appreciated than Rendi’s. Peiyi clapped her hands, and Mr. Shan had brightened and smiled at it. Looking more awake and alive than Rendi had ever seen him before, Mr. Shan had petted the toad and then reached into his pocket and took out two copper coins tied together with a red string. He rattled it in front of the toad, like a toy in front of a baby. Instead of groaning painful sounds like the ones Rendi heard at night, the toad was now gurgling and giggling.
    “You’re playing with a toad,” Rendi said with a note of disgust. Peiyi rolled her eyes. “It’s more fun than you,” she said.
    He began to respond with a rude insult, but suddenly the image of the cold, grim stone tablet came into Rendi’s mind. He closed his mouth.
    “Rendi,” Madame Chang said as he paused, “Peiyi says that you haven’t ever smiled since you’ve been here. Is that true?”
    Rendi shrugged.
    “Yesterday, I noticed that you seemed to enjoy my story,” Madame Chang said. “Am I right?”
    Rendi nodded grudgingly. “It was interesting,” he said.
    “Well, I want to make a deal with you,” Madame Chang said. “If I can make you smile… no, if I can make you laugh with this next story, then for every story I tell, you must tell one of your own.”
    “I don’t know any stories!” Rendi protested.
    “Oh, I’m sure you do,” Madame Chang said, smiling at him in a teasing way. “You’ve just never shared them before. And I’ll give you plenty of time to think of one—you can tell yours at dinner.”
    “I want to hear the funny story!” Peiyi said. Mr. Shan nodded, and the toad croaked as if in agreement. Even Master Chao, standing at the back of the room, seemed to be looking at Rendi.
    Rendi shrugged again. “Does it have to be a good story?” he asked.
    “Any story you want,” Madame Chang said. “We won’t complain.”
    “I will!” Peiyi said, but Madame Chang ignored her.
    “Is it a deal?” Madame Chang said, looking at Rendi.
    He hesitated.
    “Oh, Rendi!” Peiyi