Kiki: Perfectly Imperfect

By Pauline Gibb

Being born in Nishinari—a poor district of Japan—has its challenges, and for Kiki the mouse, these were more about his appearance than a lack of wealth, so his caring mother did all she could to build resilience in him before she allowed him to take his first excursion into the outside world.
Protected by her wise words and a special jacket she crafts for him, he sets off one night to see the sights with his brothers and sisters. That excursion teaches him the first in a series of lessons about survival as he and his siblings are confronted by a gang of feral rats.
Kiki learns valuable lessons about different personalities and the darker side of life on the streets as he ventures further and further away from home. This leads him on a quest for enlightenment, which has him stowing away on a cruise ship bound for Australia.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley
• Release date: Dec 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781788238991

Pauline Gibb

Pauline is known for her quick wit and quirky sense of humour which is reflected in everything she does including her writing. She is passionate about many things; most importantly her daughter Georgia. She enjoys a close circle of friends, loves her animals and the odd glass or five of red wine. She has a very impressive and eclectic range of creative and artistic talents which she uses to positively inspire others. She is practical and realistic about life and knows what it is like to “do it tough” having grown up in a housing commission area where she was the only member of her family to graduate from secondary school and go on to study a university degree becoming a teacher and later an educational administrator. Writing has always been one of Pauline’s key interests so she took the opportunity to follow that passion when a forced sabbatical saw her temporarily cease full-time employment two years ago. She has since written several stories, Kiki being the first to be published. Dedication & Acknowledgement

Book preview

Chapter 1

Kiki was born in the Japanese autumn, one in a family of ten who lived in the wall cavity of a restaurant that backed into a laneway in the Nishinari Ward or District of Osaka. The Nishinari District is a busy one being a shopping precinct with a range of restaurants, bars and cheap accommodation that attracts many foreign backpackers to the area. The people living there were considered poor in comparison to other parts of Japan and many homeless people find temporary lodgings in parks, along road sides and in makeshift cardboard shelters inside the foyer of the Welfare Centre in the neighbourhood. With eateries providing scraps and numerous high density dwellings at curbside Nishinari is the perfect spot for a family of rodents to reside as food and shelter at street level is always abundant.

From the moment he opened his eyes Kiki knew that there were elements of his appearance that set him apart from the others in his family. His brothers and sisters were the earthen colours of black, brown and grey but Kiki was the colour of snow and he had an even more unique characteristic red dot at the back of his neck. His fur was sleek and smooth and he had large bold, slanted eyes and erect ears that gave him an air of intelligence and gentry.

Kashikoi his mother did not make light on the choice of a name for him and the decision was not an easy one for her. Initially she wanted to call him Furagu meaning flag because of his colours but she needed a name that would strengthen his character because she knew his differences would draw attention to him for the rest of his life. She considered Megumi meaning blessed but she felt his colours were more of a curse than a blessing. Other names she considered were Yunīku because his features were so unique and Tsuyoi but she could not be sure he would grow to be strong unless he had good reason to be so his name was important to the direction of his future development.

Although the name she chose meant crisis, curse or danger she knew from her strong beliefs that within a crisis, curse or danger there is an opportunity for progress and this is what she wanted for her son. Kiki, she would say to others… must have every opportunity to grow into an adult who will move through life with a strength of character that shows no fear. Being the wise one Kashikoi knew that unlike his siblings Kiki needed protection from the outside world and lessons on how to survive before she could let him venture far on his own.

When Kiki’s brothers and sisters left each night to search for food Kashikoi would take Kiki into the lane and get him to describe what he could see. This initially seemed strange to him but as the nights passed he came to realise his mother was teaching him lessons about perception and visibility. She would recall what he described then ask pertinent questions to make him think more deeply about his surroundings. One night she said Kiki you tell me what you see but you do not tell me what sees you.

I do not understand, he replied.

She went on to say, Don’t be ignorant thinking you are the only one watching for there are those who are also watching you and you must be aware of this if you are to survive.

Look, she commanded. Can you see me here in this light?

Yes, clearly Mother…why?

You can see me because I am dark against the light and that makes me vulnerable, she told him. You must learn that light is your friend and be it night or day you must find this light if you do not want to be vulnerable as well.

Kiki would not fully realise the impact these words carried until he was older and fending for himself however at that moment he knew his mother was a wise and scrupulous teacher.

As time passed and Kiki grew he was instructed to stay inside at night when his family went out to fossick for provisions.

Why must I stay in Mother while you are all out? he asked one evening.

The dark is our friend, she replied reminding him of their earlier conversations. Soon you will be free to leave but for now you must wait, she explained.

One night she returned with a jacket she had fashioned from a piece of brown hessian she found in a rubbish pile behind a draper’s shop.

I have some news, she said, but first you must try this on.

Kiki placed the jacket over his shoulders and back pushing his legs through the holes in the sides. Kaskikoi made minor alterations with her teeth until it fitted perfectly.

Now, she said, the dark will be your friend too but you must not leave here at night unless you are wearing this.

The following evening Kiki joined his brothers and sisters for the first time outside of their home.

Not too far and do not lose the jacket! Kashikoi warned them as they disappeared into the darkness. They took Kiki down alleyways, past doyas which they explained were old fashioned one room lodgings for people with very little money, along the railway line and to the river bank pointing out places of interest as they darted in and out of the dark. Kiki was in awe of the hustle and bustle inside and outside of restaurants and bars and the bright signs that lit up the streets they travelled down. There were times when he stopped and stared losing sight of his siblings who would have to return to find him and shuffle him into a safe place so no-one could see him.

When the decision to return home was made they took him the shortest path and kept a close eye on his movements. As they crossed the park near Tsumori Station a gang of rats stepped in between Kiki and his siblings.

We want no trouble, said Furui, Kiki’s older brother.

Nice jacket, joked a mean looking black rat with a scar on his left cheek. Bit chilly out for you is it? he went on sarcastically lunging in Kiki’s direction.

I wouldn’t, directed Furui.

And who are you to tell me what to do? growled the scar faced rat.

I am his Sōgi-ya and I ask you not to touch him because he has the plague. That jacket is his funeral gown and we are taking him now to the temple to pray, Furui whispered.

The plague, yelled the scar faced rat. Run, cover your faces, he commanded and within seconds he and the other rats had all disappeared into the shadows.

I have the what? Kiki asked.

No time little brother…we must get home. Mother will not be happy when she hears what has happened. You must follow me now! Furui ordered and he led them across the tracks at Tsumori Station, through a drainage pipe and into the laneway that led to the back of the restaurant they called home. Kiki’s heart was beating heavily in his chest as he squeezed through the crack into cavity leading to the chamber where they lived. As they arrived Kashikoi noted with concern the look on each one’s face. Once they were all settled Furui explained to his mother what happened and chuckling, he relayed the story that had the rats convinced Kiki was infected with a deadly disease leaving them no choice but to run for their lives.

You are wise beyond your years my son, she told Furui, "and you have done well to protect your brother. I do not condone dishonesty but sometimes situations require uso mo hōben which allows a lie to be a means to an end. This is what you have done tonight and because of that you are forgiven," she said touching his shoulder in a gesture of understanding. Kiki and the others hugged Furui and his older siblings whispered dōmo arigatō thanking him for sheltering them from harm, before all but Kiki bedded down for what was left of the night.

Kiki had many questions about the events of his first night out and concerns about the meanness of the rats not allowing him and the others to pass at the park. He struggled to understand why they were so rude about his jacket so in the dim light while his brothers and sisters slept his mother sat with him and quietly explained the many different personalities that exist in the world.

Life has many beings who want only misery for others, she told him. If they do not see it they will create it and this my son is what you need to understand. You must be smart like Furui was tonight, she continued, you have to think quickly to outwit your foe because if you are not clever in the way you deal with them they will try to steal your soul.

What is my soul Mother? Kiki asked.

Your soul is who you are, the essence of life, the existence of you…your spirit, she explained.

Does everything have a soul? Kiki went on.

Some believe so, Kashikoi said, but at this moment your soul needs to rest my son so enough questions for now. She removed Kiki’s jacket and hung it on a nail jutting out from a wall beam just above his bed.

Sleep with peace, she whispered and kissed him on his forehead as he slipped under his blanket. Before she left his side she asked that he take her messages into his mind and call upon them whenever he faced the challenges that growing up different, thrust upon him.

Kiki rolled on his side and began to internalise his mother’s words filing each in his mind for future reference. An invisible veil of warmth descended upon him and he was soon sleeping peacefully just as his mother had also requested.

Chapter 2

The family slept late into the next day and only woke because of the clattering of pots just outside their wall. Kiki stretched remembering many strange dreams throughout the night some waking him because they involved the scar faced rat. He sat up in bed and greeted his brothers and sisters as he looked around for Kashikoi.

Where is Mother? he asked Furui.

She left early with the older girls to fossick at the bakery as today the left-over loaves are taken to the welfare centre for the homeless people’s lunches, he told Kiki. They are going to wait for the crates to be filled and pick up what crumbs fall before they are loaded onto the truck. If they are lucky we will have bread to eat for the next week, he explained.

Kashikoi and the girls returned home not long after Kiki woke. They each carried a small bulging sack as they entered the wall cavity.

Oh Kiki, she said, you were sleeping so soundly when we left. Last night must have worn you out more than I knew.

Yes, Mother, I was very tired and I slept well until I saw pictures in my head of the scar-faced rat, Kiki told her.

Ah dreams not so much about what has happened but more about what is to come, she said. Maybe the scar-faced rat is about to return and apologise for his poor behaviour towards you. The family laughed at the irony of that comment as Kashikoi and the girls unloaded their sacks.

We are blessed, she said. I am no longer nimble but your sisters are and they showed great courage going into the crates this morning and breaking off the bread. We have anpan (sweet roll), miruku pan (milk roll), taiyaki (fish shaped cake) and curry bread pieces and thanks to them we will not go hungry for many days. Itadakimasu… now eat up my children, Kashikoi instructed.

Once full Kiki asked if he could go out and explore for a while as he was keen to see places further away during the day light hours.

We cannot go, Kashikoi explained. It is too dangerous and we have pushed our luck already this morning getting the bread. I will send Furui with you to the end of the lane and then you are on your own. Please stay close to the light and take no unnecessary risks.

I will be cautious Mother, Kiki assured her. I cannot be anything else as I do not know enough about where I am going to be either arrogant or foolish.

At the end of the lane Furui and Kiki parted ways and Kiki headed towards Tsumori Station letting the smells he sensed from the previous night help guide him in the right direction. He crossed the tracks and made his way to Nishinari Park staying away from the area where the rat gang had stopped them the night before. He rested in the cool shadow of a building adorned with bright coloured pictures of boats and ducks before moving off towards the river. As he made his away along the track he caught sight of a number of cats resting in a pile of fallen leaves.

With great stealth he managed to slip past them without arousing any interest and quickly pushed on towards the river bank. I must remember not to take that path on the way back, he told himself. He arrived at the river in time to see the ferries pulling in and out of the Ochiai-kami Ferry landing and stopped to watch the people boarding and disembarking. When the ferries disappeared up the river he left to walk along the bank.

It was late in the afternoon when Kiki arrived back home carrying a sack he had acquired in his travels. He slipped into the wall cavity and was greeted by Kashikoi. Your face Kiki is almost the colour of the mark on the back of your neck, she joked. Yes Mother it was a long way home, my load is heavy and I am very hot, he laughed. I have been innovative though, he went on. I manufactured this out of a tea bag as you have done so many times and have filled it with food I obtained as I explored, he said showing her the sack. There are beans from a can I found on the rail line, fish meat from bait I found at the river and nori from a discarded sushi roll I found under a picnic table at the park.

With our bread from this morning we will be treated to kaiseki tonight …a celebration of my children’s entrepreneurial skills, Kashikoi proudly gloated. I did worry though, she whispered to him. Now go and clean yourself up as we have a Japanese banquet to take care of once the sun sets on this day.

That night the family rejoiced in their good luck and Kashikoi praised each one of her children for bringing wealth of choice to the meal table. Kiki shared his day’s adventures and everyone was amazed that he had not only found his way to the river again after only one excursion there in the dark but he had also managed to slip past the cats in the park and arrive back home safe after carrying such a heavy load such a long way. Kashikoi sat and listened with great admiration thinking how blessed she was to have a family who showed so much respect and who were supportive of the smallest of achievements for each other.

Kaizen for you all, she said softly as they chatted amongst themselves.

As Kashikoi tucked Kiki into bed at the end of the evening he had many questions and things to discuss again before he would lay down to sleep.

Mother, he said, I let the light be my friend today as I snuck past those cats. I used pale coloured bags to hide in and plastic to shield myself if I sensed I might be seen. Do you think I could take my jacket tomorrow night and go in the dark with my brothers and sisters again? He asked. I want to practice using the dark to protect myself so both can be my friend.

We shall see, Kashikoi answered. Now if there are no more questions you must go to sleep or you will be too tired to go anywhere. You must be exhausted after such a big day out.

I am, Kiki yawned and within seconds he was asleep.

Chapter 3

The following evening Kiki donned his jacket and went into the night with his brothers and sisters again. This time Furui went in the opposite direction explaining to Kiki that he needed to familiarise himself with landmarks that provide services he may need to use if misfortune befell him. He pointed out the hospitals informing him how they can be of benefit during ill health as they offer medicines against infection and dressings for wounds. At the Police Station Furui told Kiki it was important to seek out these particular buildings as they were safe places if he encountered trouble like they had the night prior.

There were a number of schools along the way and Furui took time to clarify the differences between the junior and senior schools and how each had advantages for mice who need immediate protection from threats.

The junior schools offer an opportunity to join the pet mice and rats kept in classrooms overnight, he instructed Kiki. Once inside you will not be decipherable from the others as there are many coloured mice and several white ones as well that are caged within. They are friendly, welcoming and they will hide you until it is safe to leave. In the senior schools you must find the science study area as this is where the laboratory mice are housed. They are revered here in Japan because of their contributions to biomedical research so few perpetrators have the audacity to infiltrate this area for fear of bringing ill fortune upon themselves. Again they will protect you by virtue of their colour and standing in the community.

They turned around at Yamato River and started to make their way back along Shin-Nawina Suji once again taking the shortest route home. When they entered the wall cavity Kashikoi met them very distressed.

Oh my children, she cried. I thought you were not returning tonight and I have been out for hours scouring the streets for you all.

Many apologies Mother, Furui said gently as he reached out to hug her. We took Kiki to the safe places that you so often shared with us. Time got away…it will not happen again.

It is not time that is the enemy my children, Kashikoi exclaimed. It is the restaurant…it has a cat. I saw it near the bins just after you all left but I could not follow you for fear of being seen. I waited and watched hoping to catch your return so I could warn you but my worry was too deep when you failed to arrive in a timeframe I was comfortable with. I could do nothing but think the worst. I am so thankful you are all safe.

We must find another way in and out then Mother, insisted Furui. I will get the others tomorrow and we will work together to create a safer and less exposed opening as well as a contingency escape should the cat get any weird ideas that could cause us harm.

I have faith that you will work something out my son, Kashikoi sighed. Now come here Kiki and tell me about tonight’s adventures, as she gestured for him to remove his jacket and climb into bed.

We went a different way tonight, he began. I saw hospitals, schools and the police station. Furui explained how each could help me and he showed me how to get in and out without being seen.

Did you go to the temple? Kashikoi asked.

No there was not time Kiki said. We needed to get back as we had been gone too long.

Indeed you were, she said. Furui, she called. You must take Kiki to the temple when you next venture out. He must meet the few humans who will take care of him like one of their own.

I shall Mother, he replied. O-yasumi nasai.

And good night to you too my number one son.

Will I like the temple Mother? Kiki asked.

I will not taint your mind my son by swaying you one way or the other, she told him. "It will be up to