Kamishibai Man

Another book written by Allen Say. It's about an old man living on a hillside, away from the city. He used to be a Kamishibai Man - someone who told stories with pictures in Japan. He felt a sudden urge to be a Kamishibai Man again, and his old wife supported his idea.

He packed up his small wooden stage, and candy made by his wife, and strapped everything onto his bicycle, and pedalled to the city, where he used to perform. He was shocked at how the city had changed. There were huge vehicles on the road, and he could barely recognise familiar places because of all the new buildings that had loomed up, while he was living his quiet life on the hillside. He finally found the place he used to set up his "shop", and started to tell his story about his life as a Kamishibai Man years ago. He recalled among his audience a poor boy who did not like candy. This boy remained his only loyal audience, when TVs came into the people's lives.

When he told this part of the story, a grown man in the audience shouted, "I was that boy!" The old man then realised he had a huge crowd gathered to hear his story. They were kids who listened to his stories when he was a Kamishibai Man years ago! They bought candy from him, just like they used to, when they were little kids. The old man was very encouraged.

He even made the evening news. His old wife saw him on the news at home. She asked him if he was going back to work the next day. He said he would, and probably the day after next too. His old wife immediately saw about making more candy for the old man to sell.

This is a heart-warming story. I like the ending. It was nice for the kids who were grown, to remember and appreciate the old man, even though they seemed to have forgotten, and abandoned him for a while.