It was so sad to see. It was then that Koji noticed that underneath one of the branches of the pine tree there was what remained of a little house. “Oh how awful! Was anyone hurt? Koji’s Okaasan (mum) is a Oishasan (doctor) ” Exclaimed Akari “Yes” said Koji “I know she would help anyone if they needed it. She would never tell about you, it would be a secret” Cherry Blossom replied “They are all well and no one is hurt as they had taken shelter underground. Sadly the entire home and all the belongings of the family have been very badly damaged in the storm. We cannot use our magic as it is not powerful enough to put everything back as it was and I was wondering if you could help them with something to mend it with.” Cherry Blossom started to cry and both Koji and Akari felt tears running down their faces in response.

“Koji” exclaimed Akari, “I have had an idea that perhaps may be of some use to the situation that they are in. You know the old dolls house in the shed; would your Okaasan (mum) mind if we gave it to them to live in?” “My Okaasan (mum), I am sure, would be very happy knowing that her old dolls house was being put to such good use; we will say that we are using it for a family of mice that we have got friendly with, to live in as their mouse hole was all wet.” At this Cherry Blossom flew into the air clapping her hands and everyone else listening made squeaks, snorts and twitters with excitement and relief that, the inhabitants of the broken house were going to get help.

Our friends ran as fast as they could back home avoiding tree branches, holes and mud with the aid of Fukurou (owl), called out to Fukurou (owl) that they would be back to the woods with the tools and things as soon as they could be; and the owl said that she would keep a look out for them. The friends ran straight home and asked Koji’s Okaasan (mum) about the use of her old dolls house, and she said that it was a good idea for the “mice” to have a little house to live in.

They opened the shed and looked around. Koji’s face broke out into a smile and he said “If we first drag out the dolls pram we can put everything in that and that will make it easier to take the load into the forest, and we can take more than carrying everything in our arms” “Brilliant idea Koji, we can take paint and brushes as well” and Akari gave Koji a big slap on the back. Out came the dolls pram and into it loaded pink, green and yellow paint, brushes, hammer and tiny nails (just in case they had to do repairs), some of the doll’s house furniture , bits of material and a pair of scissors. On the top they put the doll’s house and tied the whole lot onto the pram as best as they could.

Akari ran next door and asked her Okaasan (mum) if she could have a few sandwiches and onigiri and some water as they were going to rehouse some forest friends and they may get hungry. Akari loaded all the food into her back pack and some soap and nail brushes and cloths for wiping down the house. Of both the friends set to do their building work.