Disney Book Group - Mulans Secret Plan

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Book design by Maureen Mulligan

Cover design by Maureen Mulligan

ISBN 978-1-368-02101-2

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For Myna

T.R.

O n the first day of school, Mulan woke up before the sun. This was not unusual, as Mulan always rose before dawnshe had to in order to complete her chores before breakfast. But this morning felt different. Today she was full of energy, as if everything in front of her were a challenge she couldnt wait to conquer. She wasnt just finishing chores before the sun roseshe was racing the sun, determined to move faster than the light could streak through the sky.

Mulan fed Little Brother, who barked in appreciation. Ill have all sorts of stories to tell you later, she told her dog. In the chicken coop, Mulan scattered feed on the ground, dreaming about what the day might have in store: Would she learn math today? Writing? She gathered up eggs from the coop: One, two, three, she counted as the hens waddled toward their breakfast. She balanced the eggs carefully in her arms as she ran back toward her house, across the moon bridge, and over the pond.

Mulan skipped over the last few garden stones and leaped up the steps of her house into the kitchen, almost tripping over Little Brother. One of the eggs flew out from where she was clutching it against her robe, but she swooped down and caught it with her left hand before it cracked on the ground.

Mulan looked up to see her mother pouring tea for Grandmother Fa, who was seated at the table. Both women were laughing as they watched Mulan.

Are you trying to ruin an old ladys breakfast, Mulan? Grandmother Fa asked. Mulans mother set down the teapot and took the eggs, cradling them more gently than Mulan had.

Never, Grandmother. I havent broken an egg yet, have I? Mulan joined her at the table.

I do sometimes wonder how thats possible, her mother said, shaking her head as she prepared breakfast.

Im challenging myself. Mulan grinned. Father is always saying we should challenge ourselves. Thats how we learn.

If your father were here, her mother said, I think he would add that challenging yourself can mean more than jumping across ponds and leaping high fences.

And playing catch with our breakfast! Grandmother Fa smiled over her tea.

But Father is away fighting in the war, and we havent heard from him in more than a month, Mulan said, a little sadly.

Your father may not be sitting at this table, but his honor is still here. All of his lessons, in one way or another, lead back to honoring yourself, and honoring your family, her grandmother said.

Mulan always wanted to honor her brave father. She perked up. Maybe going to school today will help me understand Fathers lessons better. And Ill learn even more to show him when he returns!

Grandmother Fa and Mulans mother exchanged a look. The room was quiet for a few moments as they all sat down to eat.

Mulan, her mother said finally. Mulan looked up from her breakfast. Remember that this may not be the kind of school you are expecting. You will learn thingsimportant things. But they wont be the same things your father learned. It wont be quite like the school the boys attend. And the lessons are only for six weeks.

Mulan knew this. Her mother and grandmother had been cautioning her about it ever since they announced that Mulan would start attending a class with the other village girls.

I know, Mother, Mulan said. But I can still be excited, cant I?

Yes, her mother replied. She squeezed her daughters hand. You certainly can.

Her grandmother winked. A little excitement never hurts.

After breakfast, Mulans mother and grandmother escorted Mulan from their home to the village. Mulans village was small enough that she knew most of the people, but she didnt know everyone. She was often busy at home doing chores and spending time with her family, so she did not go into the village every day.

When she did have a chance to venture out, she loved seeing the sights of the world beyond her homes walls. Stalls sold fresh fish brought in on carts from the neighboring town. Ladies walked around with baskets, buying food for their families. Usually, most exciting of all was catching a glimpse of the village schoolhouse and the small parade of students entering for lessons. Today, for once, Mulan was focused on what she would be learning when she walked into school, rather than on what the boys would be learning.

But to her surprise, her mother and grandmother led her past the school and through the village to a house, where they stopped outside the gate. Mulan knew this house. Mei, a girl just one year older than Mulan, lived there. It was one of the largest homes in the village, though Mulan had never been inside.

Mulan gave her mother a confused look.

I told you, Mulan. Its a different kind of school, her mother said.

But Mulan glanced back toward the schoolhouse, seeing the last of the boys trickle through the door.

Grandmother Fa placed a hand on her back as though she could sense Mulans concern. You will be learning here.

Mulan took a breath and nodded. What did it matter where she learned? She would be a student. Here.

And then another sight made her heart lift. Her friend Na was walking up the path, alongside her mother. Mulan waved. She felt better already, knowing she would have a friend. As Nas mother greeted Mulans mother and grandmother, suddenly Mulan couldnt wait to go inside.

Ready? Mulan asked Na.

If you are! Na said.

The group opened the gate and walked through the courtyard of Meis house. It was larger than the courtyard at Mulans home, though it, too, had a temple, a pond, a moon bridge, and rising beyond it all, the family home.

The girls were led inside the main house and into a large room. Seated on woven mats on the floor were Mei and another girl her age named Chen. Mulan also saw two other girls whom she didnt know well, Ying and Jin. There was no teacher there yet.

Mulan turned back to the door. Her mother and grandmother smiled, their faces encouraging. Mulan felt the first small flutter of nerves in her throat, but she wanted to be brave. She waved goodbye, and they left with Nas mother. The six girls were alone.