Hachiko Waits
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| Hachiko Waits | |
| Author | Lesléa Newman |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Machiyo Kodaira |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Children's - Young Adult |
| Publisher | Henry Holt and Company, LLC |
| Publication date | Fall 2004[1] |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 96 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-8050-7336-1 |
Hachiko Waits is a children's book, written by Lesléa Newman and illustrated by Machiyo Kodaira. It uses the true story of Hachikō the Akita dog from Japan and adds Yasuo, a young boy, to the story. It won The ASPCA Children's Book Honor in 2004.[2]
[edit] Plot
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Professor Eizaburo Ueno and his dog, Hachi (later to be renamed Hachiko) who is six months old, following the same schedule every day. On the day of April 1st, 1924, Professor Ueno wakes up and tries to fool Hachi into thinking he is sleeping; it does not fool Hachi. They follow their daily routine of Hachi eating while Professor dresses; then practicing their tricks before the Professor leaves. They practices sitting, laying, and tries to get Hachi to bark by imitating a bark (By saying "Wan-Wan" in a high-pitched voice; then saying "Wan-Wan" in a deep voice), but Hachi does not bark. So, the Professor gives up, and begins to leave for work. As usual, he lets Hachi into the yard and goes out the gate. But that day, there was a wind, causing the Professor's papers to fly away and Hachi to get out. The Professor gathers the papers, and Hachi follows him; even though the Professor told him to go back home. Since the Professor is afraid that he will miss his train if he takes the time to go back to the house and put Hachi away, he lets Hachi follow him. They arrive at the train station to meat Mr. Yoshikawa, The Station Master. He offers to watch over Hachi while the Professor is at work; the Professor accepts. Yasuo, a young boy, meets Hachi and asks questions about Hachi. For the next year, the Professor and Hachi follow the same schedule. Hachi follows the Professor to the Station, the Professor leaves; Hachi wanders around all day; until five minutes to three 'o clock. One day, as the Professor is leaving, Hachi finally barks, symbolizing something wrong is happening/going to occur. Later that day, as the train comes home, the Professor isn't on it. Yasuo and his mother tell Hachi that the Professor will be back because the Professor missed his train. Hachi waits all day for the Professor to come, and as the last train comes, the Professor is not on it. Since Hachi can't stay at the Station over night, Yasuo decides to take Hachi home, but Hachi is stubborn to move. He eventually gets Hachi home, but he stays by the door — Eventually escaping by running out as Yasuo's Father exits. He is later found at the Train Station five minutes before three o'clock, waiting for the Professor to return. Yasuo understands Hachi and this matter, and decides to rename him Hachiko as a title of Respect. For the next 10 years, Hachiko returns to the train station everyday at five minutes to three, looking for the Professor. Over the years, Hachiko grows from being a "Tolerable Nuisance" to being famous, getting his picture on the front page of the Newspaper, and recognized widely around Japan. Yasuo and the Train Station Master take care of him and grow with him; until he eventually dies.
The day Hachiko dies, Yasuo is met by a famous artist. He asks Yasuo about Hachiko; questions involving his personality and life. It takes a year for the artist to build the statue, since he had to concentrate deeply by sitting perfectly still until he understood Hachiko. After the statue is built, it becomes famous, Yasuo later meets a girl at the Hachiko statue, and eventually gets married..
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