Barbie

Dolphin

The dolphin floated and bobbled at the end of my frayed yellow string.
Vendors and customers yelled and negotiated under the blotchy navy sky. The air was excited. Everyone had crinkled eyes and cheeks the colour of 冰糖葫蘆 (Candied Hawthorn Stick).

Hold it sideways, so you don’t stab yourself or the people you are shuffling with! Don’t let the glazed sugar drip onto your hand!

The air was nippy. We were all bustling dragons who huffed and puffed smoke amongst flower fields of magenta and gold.

My father hoisted me up to his shoulders and mother took the string from my sticky hands. The dolphin dragged behind us like a tired puppy.

From high above, I saw a labyrinth where no one got lost.