Ah So

CHINESE DUMPLING

 

Cuter than cute, her lightly yellow wrinkled skin emerges from her Mamasan's womb. Her eyes are black, black as the darkest night sky with tiny, tiny moonbeams making them sparkle, glitter. Her first cry is shrill as if she is in great pain, 'Wah, Wah' and with that, instantly and forever, she  becomes Wah Wah Son Tan. She is small, not much bigger than the sunflowers that grow in Ling Chu's Garden.

 

The villagers wonder, ask, 'who is 'Wah Wah's father?' There is much talk amongst them. Ho Khai, the elder, believes the dragons of the moon have blessed the family, sent Cheng to be the father as he is forever 'the accomplished one' strong and brave. That story reaches the ears of the curious and soon it is believed. Yet there are doubters who think they know the truth and the little girl's father is Bi Hai because of his green eyes that shine in the sun.

 

Ho Kai wears his silk kimono, soils the hem, as he walks past the rice fields to visit the new mother, Dishie. She bows to him when he steps into her garden. She is nursing Wah Wah Son Tan. He smiles, asks softly, 'Who is the father of beautiful Wah Wah Son Tan? Is he Cheng Bo?' Dishie gives no answer. With her head low, arms gently around her child, she leaves him standing there. Ho Kai grows angry, rushes towards her and stops, calms himself, looks to the sky and asks the Red Dragon whose tail has already darkened the sky, to name the father of Wah Wah Son Tan. Clouds roll, the wind rises. Dishie is not afraid.

 

Big rain drops fall into the lily pond as Ho Kai reaches his gardens. He is upset, angry at Dishie and the Red Dragon for not giving him the answer and for the wet earth that has now ruined his kimona and his shoes. His mind still swirls from the Red Dragon's anger. Soon the sun shines again. Dry and most curious he goes to see Cheng Bo. Cheng Bo is most surprised to see Ho Kai, bids him enter and offers him tea. Ho Kai is not in the mood for tea and asks, perhaps too loudly, 'Are you the father of Wah Wah Son Tan?' Cheng Bo stands erect, as tall as his short stature allows. He does not think he is Wah Wah Son Tan's father.  'You do not think so, Cheng Bo? You are not sure?' It is clear he speaks the truth.

 

The door slides open and like looking into a mirror, Ho Kai sees another
Cheng Bo, but it is only Dawai Bo, Cheng Bo's twin.' Dawai Bo speaks to the elder. 'We do not know which of us is the father. It has been decided with Dishie that we shall each care for our babe and be one family. Would you honor us and be WahWah's Son Tan's godfather?'

 

Fireworks light the evening sky as the babe, the twin brothers, Mamasan, and Ho Kai enter the courtyard and become a new family.