The Big Wave

1. The Big Wave By Pearl S. Buck

2. The Volcano Erupted • Jiya and his family lived in a small fishing village in Japan • A volcano erupted and made the ocean move a lot of water into a tidal wave • Jiya’s father made him climb the mountain to go to his friend’s Kino’s house • The tidal wave hit the shore with such force that Jiya’s house and family were swept away with the sea

3. The beach was swept clean • Jiya climbed to his friend’s house and looked back to see the giant wave wash everything he ever knew away • Jiya was suddenly weak, sad and he cried. He fainted from shock • Kino cried too, and Kino’s father took them both inside • Kino’s mother made some soup for the boys

4. Jiya was very pale • Jiya was pale and asleep. Kino’s sister, Setsu, wanted to know if he, too, was dead • Kino just cried for his friend • Mother brought rice soup in and Kino drank it. It made him feel a little better. • Kino’s father said he would be Jiya’s new father and that his family would be Jiya’s new family

5. Life is stronger than Death • Kino’s father knew that Jiya would be sad for many, many days • But he knew soon that he would be happy again sometime soon, as life is stronger than death • “We must allow him to be sad”, said Kino’s father. • Kino was afraid that Jiya would forget his own mother and father and his brother

6. The Sea was calm and the Sun shining • The big wave was long gone, the sea was peaceful. The sky was very blue and the birds sang • Kino wanted to know who made the terrible storm that caused the death of Jiya’s family • His father said he didn’t know, but because of death, we appreciate life even more

7. Jiya finally awoke • When Jiya finally awoke, he sobbed • He realized he was in Kino’s house, but thought maybe the wave was just a dream • Kino’s mother said she would be his mother now, and Kino his brother, and he would also have a new father • Jiya understood and looked out at the sea • Jiya finally ate some soup, but he didn’t feel the soup going down. He felt as he was still asleep.

8. Sleep was his friend • Jiya slept and healed from his heartache • He was always tired. Sleep strengthened him to face life. • Kino felt that they must be very unlucky to live between the raging volcano and swirling sea • Kino’s father said it was because of those dangerous things they knew how good life could be

9. Why do you think so? Asked Kino’s father… • We love life because we live in danger, said Kino’s father • We do not fear death because we understand life and death are necessary for each other. • The people of Japan always live in danger, so they must be brave and strong