Show the corner 1 by dobothy banakos Ha holiday little hanako opened her eyes slowly she raised her black hend head from the wooden pillow and stared at the sunlight comyne through gli the pap paper er walls walla she rolled quickly out of bed which was mode made of soft quilts piled on the floor she put on her gayest brightest kimono with big red flowers on oil it her white stockings which hid had places made for the big toes and she slipped her feet into her red sandals good morning little one said a gentle voice as her mother came into tile the room we are glad that honorable sun most kindly shines upon this great day of dolls mrs airs pushed back the sliding walls and let the sunshine and the playful breezes of march pour into the room now may we have the beautiful stops steps hanako asked after she had eaten her breakfast she watched wat clied eagerly as her mother matli er took out of a big chest five steps covered with red silk at the top of the steps she placed a dazzling golden screen here billere coma come most honorable emperor and empress said Ila hanako nako taking two dolls from her mothers hand band placed each royal doll on the top step in front of the golden screen next come the ladles ln fa walting said IIa Ila nako she arranged th alie e three dolls in their bright kinion simonos kimonos os 0 on a the stop step below the royal family here are the orange and cherry trees which are like the trees at the tha gate of the royal palace 11 said her mother Ila hanako nako put the gay little trees at each end of the third step with a royal I 1 sentinel beside them in between them she placed the court musicians who were seated cross legged on soft cushions now we prepare the fourth step counted with a happy smile for a whole yearl year she had waited to see again all these beautiful dolls for these were the special dolls which were us used ed only on the day of the doll festival when every little japanese girl had a holiday later the boys would have their holiday when queer paper fishes would fly from tall poles and the boys would fly kites and have kite races we now greet the three coolie dolls dolls said hanako as aa she placed them 0 on the fourth step they dressed to in plainer clothes and carried brooms and brushes to show that they did the houie household hold work then came a little platform holding some doll actors who were giving a play at dinner time there was company 1 and sirs banakos Ta little maid servant heaped trays with good things to put before the guests there were hot soups which every one drank and blue and white bowls bowl s full of rice there was golden brown fish served with preserved apricots green chrysanthemum anthe mum murn leaves in yellow butter batter and bamboo shoots and mushrooms dipped in custard and ot of course every one used chopsticks chop sticks after dinner went visiting other little girls all up and down the street and she carried gifts tor for them in her kimono sleeves alas the smiling sun Is going far away said Fla hanako nako as the third day of march ended the most beautiful dolls must go again into the big chest chesl of all doll festivals this has been best she cuddled down into her quilts |