E55 朗读版｜Sisu is back too

And yet, it felt like a celebration. Everywhere she looked, Raya saw the people of Fang embracing loved ones they thought they’d lost for good. They danced and turned their faces to the sky as the rain poured down on them.

“Tuk Tuk!” Raya cried suddenly as her big friend rolled toward her. She laughed as they hugged, cheek to cheek.

A movement overhead drew Raya’s attention. Something was coming toward them through the air. A crowd of bright, rippling shapes drew closer and closer.

The dragons had returned.

The colorful, majestic creatures soared overhead. They twisted and turned, running on raindrops as the people below stared up in wonder.

Raya felt a swell of joy and hope. It was the feeling she’d had watching Sisu fly the first time, but multiplied tenfold. The dragons seemed to radiate peace, as if they embodied all the goodness in the world.

As one, the throng swooped toward the river. They hovered low over the surface and formed a ring. As they circled, the water began to glow and churn.

Suddenly, something in the shape of a ball rose up. It was Sisu, curled tightly, but starting to stretch. With a gasp, she blinked awake!

When she saw her siblings above her, the dragon’s face lit up. “Pranee! Amba! Jagan! Pengu! Ha ha!” Sisu shouted as she climbed the raindrops to meet them and join their swirling formation.

After a long moment, Sisu broke away. She swooped down toward the island. Raya ran alongside her until, at last, she came to a stop.

“Raya,” Sisu said, her voice full of pride.

Raya was so overcome with joy, she could only reply, “Sisu.”

“I am so hungry,” Sisu said.

“I got some jerky,” Raya joked.

Sisu smiled. “Not that hungry.”

With great relief, Raya buried her face in the dragon’s soft fur. She felt Sisu wrap her in a warm embrace.

“Soo-soo!” cried a little voice. They turned and saw Noi toddling toward them, her little arms outstretched. Tong, Boun, and the Ongis were right behind her. Tong lifted Noi so she could grab the dragon’s face in her favorite hug.

“Ah! It is good to breathe in your glorious dragon stench again,” Tong said.

“Okay. I’ll take that as a compliment,” Sisu replied, looking past him.

They all turned. Namaari stood a few feet away, watching their reunion, her face a tangle of emotions. When she met Sisu’s gaze, Namaari’s eyes filled with tears. She ducked her head in shame.

Raya knew what she was thinking. Would the dragon ever forgive her for what she had done?

As if she could read her mind, Sisu swept out her tail. She pulled Namaari, Raya, and all their friends into a great big group hug.