Mulan is getting a new novel.
Shes also an award-winning illustrator, a talent shes putting to use in this new project.
Lin says she tried to capture both the past and present, as well as eastern and western cultures.
Credit: Danielle Tait
But Ma didnt see her now.
Ba was leaning over awkwardly and Mulan could see the bindings that held his bad leg.
But I would do it again, and more.
Disney
Nothing is too much to sacrifice to bring honor to our ancestors.
Would traveling with the Rabbit be honorable?
She knew Ma would not approve of her going on a journey.
You must learn to diligently care for your family, Mulan, Ma had said to her.
A girl brings honor by care.
Mulan looked at Xiu and the cold, clammy whiteness of her sisters cheeks.
Whether this was care or boldness, she knew she must go.
Im going to help get something thats going to save Xiu, Mulan said to her parents.
She gulped uneasily and then said, with more hope than force, I will not dishonor our family.
Her last words seemed to hang in the air as they all remained still.
Mulan felt as if her chest was crackingit was so full of love and worry and fear.
She looked at the cloth rabbit dangling from the pole behind her motionless sister.
Mulan slipped the cloth rabbit out of the loop of string and pressed it to her chest.
She would take it with her.
It would remind her of home while she was away.
Mulan swallowed, wondering how far away she would go.
She turned back toward the static figures of her family.
She bowed a farewell to each of them, feeling slightly as if she were honoring shrine statues.
Then, grabbing Black Winds riding gear, Mulan left her home to find the Rabbit.
The Rabbit was waiting for her just outside the tulous doors.
It was strange how ordinary he looked, just a rabbit sitting in wait by a silk bag.
Though, Mulan realized, if you looked carefully, you could see the difference.
There was an unusual luster to his fur, a silvery iridescence.
But it was more than that.
you’re able to call Black Wind, the Rabbit said, in way of greeting.
She whistled and heard the sound of a faraway whinny.
the Rabbit asked, pointing at the cloth toy.
Just to remind me of her.
Oh, the Rabbit said, giving Mulan a strange and pointed look.
Mulan felt her cheeks burning.
Did the Rabbit think she was a child who needed a stuffed doll?
She was surprised when he asked, How did she get it?
Actually, it was given to me, Mulan said, but I gave it to Xiu.
How did that happen?
I was very excited because my father told me that it could be my new job.
I wanted to show him and everyone else that I could do it well.
However, as we were rounding up the chickens, one ran away.
I rushed after it, determined to get it.
But I was so busy chasing the bird, I didnt pay attention to anything else.
I dashed through the courtyard, through the crowd of villagers, causing many to fall over.
But I didnt notice any of it.
All I could see was that runaway bird.
Even when the hen ran into the village shrine, I kept after it.
And, to my great shame now, I accidentally broke the shrine statue.
Yet that still did not stop me.
The hen jumped onto the balcony of the tulou and onto the roof.
I climbed up as well, as fast as I could.
I charged after the chicken, running along the slanted roof.
Xiu closed it in.
I was stuck on the roof.
I saw my father below, hurrying toward me, worried.
He called to me, telling me to climb down slowly.
I tried to do what he said, but with my very first step, I slipped!
Somehow, I was able to twist in the air and land on my feet safely.
No one was pleased with me.
All around me, people were shocked, shaking their heads and grumbling.
When I looked at my father, I knew I had disappointed him.
I had, again, acted improperly and forgotten my place as a young girl.
The crowd slowly broke up, and, shamefaced, I began to scuffle to my father.
But before I reached him, a peasant woman swept in and came up to me.
She was not from our villageshe was someone I had never seen before.
Mulan, she said, for you.
And she handed me this cloth rabbit.
Its all old and worn now.
I remember thinking it looked so brilliant and new in her old, dappled hand.
I took it, and before I could even say thank you, she turned and left.
She hadnt yelled at me or shaken her head or looked at me with disapproval like everyone else.
Instead, she had given me a gift.
Later, I showed it to Xiu.
She loved it right away.
She hugged it and played with it, so I let her take it to bed.
After that, I just let her keep it.
And it was for the best, too.
Then she began to twist and knot the blanket around her waist and shoulders.
What are you doing?
Like a baby, he said grumpily.
Mulan grinned to herself as she climbed up on Black Wind.
The moons splendor overflowed onto Earth, brightening it almost to daylight.
Mulan asked the Rabbit.
Since I am stuck in this shape, the Rabbit said, still grumbling, well need help.
We can find an old friend of mine in the City of Rushing Water.The City of Rushing Water?
Youve heard of it?
He pushed his paw free of the sling and waved.
She clicked at Black Wind to start him moving.
Its quite a distance.
Yes, the Rabbit said as Black Wind galloped.
That is why we are leaving now.
