She wiped her hands on a towel and grabbed the pad that was stuck the fridge. Fumbling around for a pen, she scribbled down ‘carrots’ and ripped off the page. Handing it to Vivi, she said.
“I nearly forgot, can you run down to that little shop across the street? Here’s some money.” She dug around in her purse, then gave Vivian two of the colorful bills. “This should be enough.”
“Okay!” said Vivi. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
She hurried down the many flights of stairs and across the street. The bell above the door tinkled merrily as she entered, and Vivi made sure to smile politely at the man behind the counter.
But after hunting around the isles, she found that all the signs were in Japanese! Sighing, she looked around for someone to ask for help. In the next aisle over there was a tall, thin man in a very pretty floral patterned kimono. His hair was snow white, and when he looked over at her his sharp green eyes caught the light like jewels. Taking a deep breath, Vivian began to speak.
“U-um, Sumi-” the unfamiliar word got stuck in her throat. She tried again “Sumimasen?”
“Excuse me?” He smiled kindly at her and replied, “Do you need help, little one?”
He spoke English! Vivi found that most people did, but her mother taught her never to assume anything about a person you didn’t know.
“Yes, please, sir. I’m looking for the carrots. Do you know where they are?”
“Let’s see if we can’t find them together.”
It didn’t take very long with the man’s help, and soon enough she was standing in front of the counter to pay.
After, Vivi turned to the man and held out her hand.
“Thank you very much, sir!”
He chuckled and shook her hand lightly. Then, she remembered that she was supposed to bow, not shake hands.
“Oh! I’m sorry!” She quickly bowed to him, and the man laughed.
“Please, it’s alright. Everyone makes mistakes.”
Vivi smiled in relief. They left the store at the same time, and as the man walked away she noticed something that took her breath away.
His shadow was…a fox??! Rubbing her eyes with her free hand, Vivi blinked quickly and looked again, but it was still there. Trotting delicately behind the man as he walked away was a fox-shaped shadow. Shaking her head, Vivian hurried back home.
That night after dinner, she sketched the stranger and his weird shadow. Giggling, she added a pair of fox ears and tail for fun. She laughed, thinking That looks about right. Now they match.
Tell us: Why do you think the man’s shadow was like a fox?