Taichi②

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The laundry pole
 
　One morning, Mom had to go to work in a hurry. As a result, she made a mistake.
　Mama accidentally threw Taichi into the washing machine along with a pile of dirty laundry.
　Mama didn't even realize that she had also hung Taichi outside with the laundry to dry.
　But we can't blame Mama for this. Taking care of a child and managing household chores is tough.
　After preparing lunch for Taichi, Mama called out to the back of the house,
"I'm leaving. I'll be back by evening, so be a good boy." Then she left in a hurry.
 
　Taichi regained consciousness on top of the laundry pole in the late afternoon. The weather was great and the sun was shining. Tachi felt a great thirst as soon as he opened his eyes. It was a good washing day and Taichi was already completely dry. He tried to move his arms but he was unable to do so because the laundry pole was passing through his sleeves, cutting across his back. He could only flutter his legs. Taichi didn't realize that he was hanging on the laundry pole along with the laundry for a while until he finally realized it.
"Mom, Mom," he called out, but there was no answer. His throat was dry and his stomach was empty. Taichi started to cry. Various birds gathered around Taichi, looking curious, and various insects came too. However, they didn't do anything mean to Taichi, such as pecking or stinging him.
 
　A crow brought water for Taichi. Taichi drank the water from the crow's beak and finally felt a little better. The birds and insects tried to brighten Taichi 's mood by singing and dancing. Taichi also laughed for a while, forgetting his situation due to the curiosity of the creatures, but it was only temporary. Again, the sadness of hanging on the laundry pole returned. 　Although the sun was setting, there was still time for Taichi 's mother to return in the evening.
 
　The birds, led by a crow, came up with a plan for Taichi who looked very lonely.
　The birds started to gather on the laundry line where Taichi was hanging.
　Taichi was so surprised by the number of birds that he forgot his fear.
Ten, twenty... Soon the line was completely filled with birds.
　One, two, three!
　All the birds spread their wings at once.
　In the next moment, Taichi and the laundry were lifted into the air.
 
　At that time, Mama was in the middle of giving a lecture at magic school.
One student who wasn't very enthusiastic was looking blankly outside the window and noticed something flying in the sky.
"Hey, look!"
　The students in the class gathered towards the window.
"Quiet. Go back to your seat."
　Even Mama, who was shouting that, noticed the flying object in the sky and Taichi hanging from it.
　Mama quickly left the classroom.
　She realized that she had accidentally washed Taichi together with the laundry this morning.
"It's not impossible."
　Mama ended the lecture earlier.
 
　Taichi and the laundry hanging from the object in the sky were hanging between the branches of a tree.
　Mama quickly retrieved the laundry and Taichi.
　And Taichi and Mama held hands and headed home.
"Mom, you're really scatterbrained."
　Taichi was in a good mood because he was able to see Mama earlier than planned.
　Mama held the laundry in one hand and Taichi held the object in the sky in the other hand, and the two of them walked home hand in hand.
　Above the tall object in the sky, a crow was perching, and their silhouettes returning home were shining in the sunset and stretching along the road like a painting.
 
 
Link to Taichi①：　Taichi①｜kojikoji (note.com)
Link to Taichi③