The Year of the Monkey

The Monkey is the most versatile sign of the Chinese zodiac. Such people are often inventors, plotters, entertainers and the creative geniuses behind anything ingenious, including mischief. They have natural quick-wittedness which enables them to understand what is happening and then make a right decision. Even during a conversation a person born in this year is aware of what is going on around him/her, and then makes a mental note of who said what and stores it away for future reference. In general, with their agile minds and multiple talents, monkey types can master any subject. They are reliable and honest people so that any secret is safe in their hands. These people are also honest in their dealings and are very good at problem-solving: knowing how to listen closely and work out solutions at the same time.

Prologue - Paris 1984

“I’ve locked your tummy with my magic key, mummy,” Tien announced to her mother one morning, “so the baby can’t come out.” So simple. The pink plastic key hung from her neck on a white ribbon. It, and the treasure chest it opened, had been a birthday gift the day before from Mamy Ngoc. Reincarnating Ngoc in this way had been Hung’s idea, a typical deference to his daughter’s fantasies; Huong herself disapproved. Tien then skipped off happily downstairs to where breakfast awaited. Problem solved.

Huong marvelled, nonetheless, at her daughter’s ingenuity. Such intelligence, such vitality: wasted in a girl. She put her hands to her stomach, the fluttering movements inside reminding her of the subject of Tien’s early morning announcement. As suddenly as it had come, her good humour left her. She turned to the shrine at the top of the stairs, lighting a handful of incense sticks as she did so, and prayed briefly once more, “Please, a boy this time.”

Ngoc’s sombre but sympathetic shake of the head, so near, yet so very far away, translated as a barely discernible waft of smoke from the incense burning on the alter, but Huong had already turned away.

- I'm aiming for completion by September 2009.