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Fu approached the large boy from behind. “Where did you learn to punch like that?” Fu asked. “You punch like a girl.”

Without turning around, the boy replied, “If you mean that my punches resemble those of the girl who lives next door to me, I'll take that as a compliment.”

Fu smiled. “She taught you well.”

The large boy stopped his punching and turned to face Fu. He grinned and slapped Fu on the shoulder. “You're amazing, Fu! How on earth did you escape?”

Fu nodded in Malao's direction. “My little brother helped me.”

The large boy raised his eyebrows.

Malao shrugged.

“My name is Ma,” the boy said to Malao. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” Malao replied. “My name is Malao, but Fu likes to call me by other names. What was that last one you used, Fu? Banana Brain?”

Fu shook his head. “I don't remember. But if you keep this up, the next one will be Broken Monkey.”

Malao giggled and glanced at Ma. Ma wasn't laughing.

“Monkey?” Ma asked.

“Ah, yeah,” Malao replied. “My name means ‘monkey’ in Cantonese. Why?”

Ma stared at Malao but didn't say a word.

Eager to change the subject, Malao said, “Hey, did Fu show you how to punch like that?”

“Sort of,” Ma replied. He looked at Fu and seemed to relax a little. “Fu showed each of us a different kung fu technique, and now we're teaching our moves to each other. It's really great.”

Malao laughed. “Yeah, I guess it would be if everyone was a giant like you and this overgrown pussycat. Tiger-style techniques are perfect for overpowering people. Unfortunately, most kids are like me—small.”

Ma's eyes narrowed. “The technique Fu taught me helped save a life.”

“Oh … I'm sorry,” Malao said, raising his hands. “I was only joking. Well, half joking. If you'd like, I could teach you a few monkey-style techniques and show you what I mean.”

“Monkey-style?” Ma said. “I don't think so.”

A small boy from the group suddenly called out, “I want to learn! Teach me!”

Malao grinned at the boy and released a dramatic sigh. “I'd love to teach you some moves, my friend, but I'm afraid I might not have enough energy. I'm famished.” Malao dropped to the ground, pretending to faint.

The small boy laughed.

“Just ignore him,” Fu said, shaking his head. “He'll get up eventually.”

The small boy laughed again. “I think he's funny!”

Ma looked at Fu. “What about you? Are you hungry?”

“You could say that,” Fu replied. “I haven't eaten anything since your mother's Greasy Goose.”

“What?” Ma said. “That was a day and a half ago! Hang on, I'll be right back. Four chicken buns coming right up.”

Malao snapped his head in Fu's direction and made a sour face. Fu called out to Ma, “Make that two chicken buns and two plain buns, please. Malao doesn't eat meat.”

“It figures,” Ma mumbled as he headed for the bun vendor's shop. “Monkeys are nothing but trouble. …”

A few moments later, Ma returned. “These are compliments of the bun vendor. He's very busy now, but he said he will come see you later, Fu. He said he wants to ‘commend you for your bravery’ yesterday morning. He's impressed that you put your life on the line for the village.”

Malao glanced questioningly at Fu.

Fu shrugged. “Maybe I'll tell you about it sometime,” he said. “Right now, let's eat.” Fu turned to Ma. “Thanks for the food.”

“Don't mention it,” Ma replied.

“Yeah, thanks a lot!” Malao said. He dug in and finished off his buns in no time. He burped loudly. “Aahhh! Now, who's ready to learn some real kung fu?”

“Me!” shouted the small boy, along with several other boys and girls in the village square.

Malao looked over at Fu and saw that he was deep in conversation with Ma. It looked like they would be there for a while.

“Okay,” Malao said to the group of children as he stood. “I'm assuming you have all stretched out your muscles, right?”

“Yes,” the group replied.

“Great,” Malao said. “Did Fu teach you the Horse Stance? You know, the basic beginning position where you sort of squat down with your legs about shoulder-width apart?”

“Yes.”

Malao grinned. “That's good. Keep practicing it because it's an important exercise. However, we won't be using it today.”

“So you're not going to teach us how to fight?” the small boy asked.


Tags: Jeff Stone Five Ancestors Fantasy