Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes Read Online Free PDF Page A

did not want any more wars to hurt people.
    Dear Eleanor Coerr,
    My mother is dying of cancer. Her name is Mabel. Please know that she is bravely struggling to live, never complains, and is learning how to fold paper cranes like Sadako. Thank you for writing the Sadako book. It is helping my mother.
    Dear Author,
    I like your story about Sadako because even though she was sick, she never lost hope. She was steadfast. When I grow up I want to be a writer like you. I am going to make people stop fighting.
    Dear Mrs. Coerr,
    We are studying about survival in our class. The teacher read your story about Sadako. It taught us to always believe in yourself. And never give up. I will never forget this book. You made the sentences come alive.
    HOW TO FOLD A PAPER CRANE
    BY GAY MERRILL GROSS
    The paper crane that Sadako folded is an example of origami, which in Japanese means folded paper.
    Because it symbolizes long life, good health, and good fortune, the origami crane has long been the most popular origami figure in Japan. As the story of Sadako has spread, the paper crane has also come to be known around the world as a symbol of peace.
    Beginning on the next page are instructions for you to fold the same origami crane that Sadako made.
    For more information on origami and origami books and paper, contact:
    OrigamiUSA
    15 West 77th Street
    New York, NY 10024-5192
    www.origami-usa.org
    Getting Started:
    You will need a square of lightweight paper, approximately 6 to 8 inches square. Special origami paper is available at many toy and craft stores. If your paper is colored on one side only, begin with the colored side facing up.
    Hint 1: Always do origami on a hard, flat surface.
    Fold in half, corner to corner, to make…
    … a triangle. Crease sharply and unfold back to a square.
    Hint 2: Fold neatly and carefully.
    Fold in half again, side corner to side corner.
    Hint 3: Make very sharp creases.
    Crease sharply and unfold back to a square.
    Turn your paper over to the white side and position it as shown in drawing 6.
    Fold in half edge to edge to make…
    … a rectangle. Crease sharply and unfold back to a square.
    Fold in half, top edge to bottom edge. This time leave the fold in place.
    Hold the sides in each hand (as shown) and push your hands down and together.
    Notice that as you push, the middle of the front and back layers are spreading away from each other. Continue to push your hands down and together until…
    … your paper has collapsed (like an umbrella) and you see four triangular flaps. Pair together two flaps on the right and two flaps on the left.
    Flatten your paper and sharpen all folded edges. This multilayered square form is called a Preliminary Base. It is the beginning form for hundreds of origami figures.
    Fold the right and left open edges (front flaps only) to the center crease line. Crease sharply.
    Checkpoint: Make sure the pointed bottom of the cone shape you have formed is at the open end of the Preliminary Base.
    You should now see an ice cream cone on top of a diamond-shaped background. Fold the top triangle (the “ice cream”) down over the “cone.” Crease very sharply.
    Unfold the two flaps that form the “cone,” but leave the top “ice cream” triangle folded down.
    Hint 4: Always look ahead to the next drawing to see the result of the step you are doing.
    Lift the very first layer at the bottom corner while holding the other layers in place. As you raise the first layer upward, the “ice cream” triangle should also rise upward until you see…
    … a large mouth form. Fold the long side edges inward along existing creases to meet neatly in the middle.
    This forms a tall diamond shape. Smooth your paper flat and neaten the top and bottom corners so they form sharp points. Turn your paper over.
    Repeat steps 12 through 17 on this side.
    This tall diamond-shaped form is called a Bird Base. The two top flaps will form the crane’s wings. At the bottom is a split giving you two thin