Uncle Mike

Yesterday, my dad’s old friend, Mike, came over after a long time. My dad went out with him in the afternoon and came home together very late.

“What are you so annoyed about, Mum?” I asked.

“He’s late for your medicine time, that's why,” replied my mum.

“Oh, dear! It doesn’t matter to me. Never mind, Mum!”

Mike stayed over night.

“Good morning, Uncle Mike!” I said, and jumped onto his lap.

"Good morning, Pinot! You look very well," he replied with a smile.

Later, he showed us several hanging scrolls and some of his grandfather’s archives – absolutely amazing!

He wanted to know if they are valuable or not.

In the afternoon, my mum gave me my meal, and then they went out to lunch at a bistro ‘Hiro’ nearby.

Irises

There was no Saturday class, my mum went cycling along Arakawa riverside to the park – Horikiri Riverside Park.

Irises look beautiful there in June every year.

– A little later.

“Look at the pictures, Pinot! The irises look fantastic,” said my mum.

“Absolutely! With the Sky Tree, amazing, Mum!” 

Chinese visitors

Yesterday evening, three people – dad’s friend, a young man and his girlfriend – came to visit my dad. They were all Chinese living in Japan.

The young man asked my mum how old I was.

“13 years old! It was his birthday yesterday,” she said, and remembered that traditional birthday song and sang in Chinese:

“祝你生日快乐，祝你生日快乐，祝你生日快乐，祝你生日快乐♪”

The girl stroked me lightly with a smile.

– A little later.

My dad went out for dinner with them.

I fell asleep on mum’s lap.

My Birthday Treat!

My birthday treat is vanilla ice cream – my favourite!

Pop, pop, I’ll lick my ice cream.

Pop, pop, I’ll lick my ice cream.

Oh, dear! No more on Papa’s palm.

My Birthday

“Happy Birthday! Joyeux anniversaire, le petit Pinot!”

My mum’s voice echoed up the stairs.

It’s my birthday today. My mum is most pleased with it.

In spite of my illness, I have my birthday today. I’m 13 years old.

I hope I’ll have one or two more birthdays. Am I too greedy or optimistic?

I don’t think so. I’m now very fit as my standard.

“Pippy, where are you?”

Oh, dear, she’s looking for me. What for? Are we playing hide-and-seek?? Time for medication!!!
No way! Go hide myself, quick, quick! Under the bed or cover myself with the duvet?

Mmmm, happy birthday to me, anyway …