THE MOTHER OF ALL DEVILS
“Do you think I’m ready? I really think I’m ready.” Yoichi was the youngest in the temple at thirteen and not ready at all.
“When one’s heart is true, one is always open to the Buddha’s teachings.” Roshi, the head monk with heavily lidded eyes and a granite-cut frown, touched his chest to reinforce his point.
Another non-answer. Yoichi shivered. It was still three hours before sunrise, freezing. He gently kicked the already packed bundle at his feet. He didn’t want to show annoyance, just tapping a clod of dirt off his sandal perhaps. Keeping warm. Last time they had gone on the top-secret mission he’d also been instructed to wake up early and prepare a bag. Only he’d overslept and was told later that he’d been a little bit grouchy. There was no scolding though.
