Kiki's Delivery Service

by Eiko Kadono

“Here it is!” She was back in no time, showing Kokiri and Okino the broom she’d hidden by the shed.

  “Oh, nicely done.” Okino smiled.

  “I soaked willow branches in the river and then left them in the sun. I did a good job, right, Mom?” Kiki swung the broom to show it off.

  Kokiri slowly shook her head. “It’s a beautiful broom, but you can’t use it.”

  “Why not? I don’t want to use that little broom I’ve had until now. Flying is the only magic thing I can do, so I at least want to fly on a nice new broom.”

  “If flying is the only magic thing you can do, doesn’t that make your broom that much more important? What will you do if you have trouble flying on something you’ve never ridden before? Your start is critical. Coming of age isn’t so easy.” Kokiri shook her head again and continued. “We can only give you a little money, enough to eat for a year if you really keep your expenses down. After that, a witch has to survive on her magic. During this year, you need to figure out how to make a living—like how I prove myself useful to the townspeople by making medicine. Go with my broom. It’s broken in, and you already know how to fly with it.”

  “Aw, I don’t want to. It’s all dirty and black, like it’s been used to clean a chimney! And the handle is so thick and heavy. It’s clunky. Don’t you think, Jiji?”

  Jiji watched from near her feet and let out an exaggerated purr.

  “See, Jiji agrees with me. He says a black cat riding that broom will get mistaken for a rain cloud, but on a willow broom, he’ll look like a prince in a glass carriage.”

  “I don’t know what to do with the two of you!” Kokiri exclaimed. “You’re still a child, aren’t you? Brooms aren’t toys, you know. At some point my broom will get too old, and then you can use whatever you like. By then I’m sure you’ll be a full-fledged witch.” Kokiri suddenly closed her eyes, as if she was trying to think of something.

  Kiki pouted and tapped the broom on the floor. “But what about the broom I made?”

  “I’ll use it instead. No problem with that, is there?”

  Kiki glanced at her broom for a few moments, but then looked up and said, “Fine. But let me pick my dress. I saw a pretty one in a shop on Main Street—with a floral pattern! If I wear that, I’ll look like a flying flower!”

  “I’m sorry, but you can’t do that, either.” Kokiri had a serious expression on her face again. “These days, witches don’t have to wear a pointy hat and a long cape, but the color of our clothes has always been the blackest black. That can’t be changed.”

  That made Kiki sulk even more. “It’s so old-fashioned. A black witch with a black cat—black, black, black.”

  “Well, of course it’s old-fashioned. We come from old witch blood. Besides, black never goes out of style. Leave it to me. I’ll make one in a hurry.”

  “This ‘old blood’ thing again…,” Kiki mumbled, pouting.

  “Kiki, don’t get too hung up on appearances. It’s your heart that’s important.”

  “Mom, I know that. I’ll handle my heart. No one can see that, though.” Kiki turned her resigned face to Okino. “Dad, you’ll give me a radio, won’t you? I want to listen to music while I fly. I’d really like a red radio.”

  “All right, all right. Got it.” He nodded with a smile.

  Kokiri smiled, then abruptly turned to her daughter. “Okay, that’s enough for tonight. Good night, Kiki.” And with her right hand, she used the hem of her apron to dab her eyes.

  Every evening, the moon grew bigger and bigger, until the night it was finally full. Kiki’s coming-of-age day had arrived.

  That evening, when the sun started sinking in the west, Kiki put on the black dress her mother had made for her. She turned this way and that in the mirror, making it a whole production. Jiji, by her feet, wasn’t about to be left out. He peeked into the mirror from the side, then stretched and curled his body. Soon they were both astride Kokiri’s broom, posing in profile.

  “Okay, you two, haven’t you primped enough?” Kokiri called to them as she bustled around. “Have a look at the western sky. There’s barely any sunset left.”

  “Mom, can you make the skirt just a little shorter?” Kiki asked, hiking it up and standing on her tiptoes.

  “Why? It looks good on you.”

  “I think it would be cuter if you could actually see my feet.”

  “This way is much more graceful. It’s better to look mild-mannered. Of course, some people complain about witches no matter what you do. Now then, here’s your lunch.” Kokiri patted Kiki’s shoulder and set a little bundle down next to her. “I used herbs so it won’t go bad as fast. Don’t eat it all in one place. I remember my mom did a great job making my coming-of-age lunch. She cast some spell on the herbs in the bread that kept it from going bad or even stale. It’s a shame we don’t know how to do that anymore.”

  “That seems like the sort of thing that would be easy to pass on, though,” Okino chimed in, coming in from his study with a book in his hand. “I wonder why it disappeared. Maybe that’s just the nature of magic?”

  “It’s strange that I’m a witch and even I don’t know. Some say it’s because there’s no such thing as a completely dark night or perfect silence anymore—if there’s a light on or if there’s even a tiny noise, we get distracted and can’t get our magic to work.”

  “Certainly compared to ancient times, it’s gotten a lot brighter,” Okino said. “Nowadays there’s always a light on somewhere.”

  “Yes, the world sure has changed.” Kokiri nodded, but Kiki, looking in the mirror, had a different idea.

  “Hmm, you think that’s why?” Kiki turned around with a dissatisfied frown. “I don’t think it’s the world’s fault that magic has disappeared. Maybe people hold themselves back too much. Mom, aren’t you always saying that witches must be quiet and modest? I hate the idea of living my life constantly worrying about what people will say—I’m going to do whatever I want!”

  “Oh! That’s quite a declaration.” Okino’s eyes widened dramatically.

  “Listen, Kiki,” Kokiri said. “In the past, it wasn’t just us witches—all sorts of people had mysterious powers. But most regular people connected these gifts to bad things in their heads. They believed our powers would bring terrible luck.”

  “That could be true.” Okino nodded thoughtfully.

  “It was! You always heard about how witches made mold grow in fresh milk, but that was simply a way to make a special kind of cheese. And now look, today everyone eats that same cheese.” As she spoke, Kokiri looked at Kiki with concern. “Witches were able to survive in that sort of world because we forged a give-and-take relationship with everyone else. Sometimes we hold back, but we also help each other out however we can. I think it was a good thing. Because of this, there are even people like your dad who research witches and fairies to gain a better understanding of us.”

  “Was that a compliment? What an honor.” Okino jokily bowed.

  “Oh, my goodness, it’s pitch-dark outside.” Kokiri stood up and clapped her hands. “The moon’ll be out soon. We need to hurry up and eat. No more time for these complicated conversations.”

  “Full-moon nights are bright,” Okino said, “so they should be good for leaving on a journey. But according to my research, the data also shows a fifty-fifty chance of rain on days witches have come of age—”

  “That’s just the luck of the draw. Tonight seems like it’ll be fine. The air is so clear. Kiki, are you really ready to go?” Skillfully evading Okino’s grumbles, Kokiri began to bustle around the room again.

  “I hope you find somewhere nice to live.” Okino looked Kiki in the eye.

  “But, Kiki, you can’t get impatient and settle without giving your choice proper thought,” Kokiri called.

  “I know. All you guys do is worry.”

  �
�It’s not as if she’s going to another planet,” Okino said, trying to cheer both Kokiri and Kiki up. “It’s just a different town. And after a year, you can come back home for a celebratory visit.”

  Kokiri stood before Kiki again with a serious expression on her face. “Kiki, I know I’m harping on this, but please choose your town carefully. Think twice about picking one that seems nice just because it’s lively or has lots of shops. Big cities are often full of busy people who don’t have time to care about anyone else. And when you arrive, don’t be shy. Make sure to smile. You have to gain people’s trust.”

  “I know, Mom. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” Kiki nodded repeatedly, then turned to Okino. “Hey, Dad, do you remember when you used to hold me up high? You would put your hands under my arms and lift me up and down. Could you do it one more time?” She looked down quickly, a little embarrassed.

  “Sure!” Okino replied with extra pep. He put his hands under her arms and tried to lift her. “Phew! You’re heavy. When did you get so big? Let me try one more time.” He staggered a bit but managed to raise her.

  “I—I’m up! But—ha-ha-ha—it tickles!” Kiki squirmed and laughed.

  * * *

  Through the living room window, the light of the full moon poured over Mount Green in the east—just as they had expected.

  “I guess I should get going.” Kiki had planned on saying a proper goodbye, but all that came out was that simple line. She slung her bag over her shoulder and grabbed the broom that had been standing next to her. With her other hand, she picked up the red radio her father had bought for her. Then she looked at Jiji, who sat obediently at her feet. “Okay, say goodbye.”

  Jiji stood and looked up at Okino and Kokiri.

  “We’re counting on you, Jiji,” said Kokiri.

  As usual, he twitched his tail in reply.

  “Well, Mom, I’ll write a letter as soon as I get there.”

  “Yes, keep us posted.”

  “If it doesn’t go well, you can always come home,” added Okino.

  “That’s not happening!” Kiki hurriedly replied.

  “Don’t start going easy on her now.” Kokiri shot a soft glare at Okino.

  When Okino opened the door, voices shouting “Congrats!” came flying in. Ten townspeople were waiting at the gate!

  Kiki was so surprised, she didn’t know what to say.

  “You knew she was leaving tonight?” Kokiri asked hoarsely.

  “We can’t let our little Kiki leave without saying goodbye.”

  “And it’s something to celebrate.”

  “Come back and ring the bells now and then.”

  “Bring us stories.”

  “Aw, thanks, everybody.” Kiki finally managed to squeeze that much out, then lifted Jiji to hide her crumpling face.

  “I’m glad the weather’s good,” Okino said quietly, looking up at the sky.

  After exchanging goodbye after goodbye, Kiki hung her radio from the front of her broom, sat Jiji on the back, and jumped on. Once the broom was hovering, she turned around. “Take care, Mom,” she said to Kokiri from a few feet above. If she flew any closer, she knew they would both end up crying.

  “Make sure to look where you’re going!” Kokiri’s usual scolding voice sounded after her, followed by a burst of laughter from the townspeople. Kiki was relieved that her mom remained the same, even on this special occasion.

  After one final “Goodbye!” she rocketed into the air. Gradually, everyone’s waving hands below grew harder to see, and all the lights of the town twinkled like a starry night turned upside down. The full moon hung in the sky, watching over Kiki. Eventually even the lights of the town faded, and all she could see below were mountains shaped like the dark backs of animals.

  “Hurry up and decide which way we’re going,” Jiji prodded behind her.

  “Umm…” Kiki looked in all four directions, flustered. “South, I want to go south. I heard that if you keep going south, you eventually reach the sea, and I want to see the sea at least once. Is that all right with you, Jiji?”

  “Am I allowed to say no?”

  “Please don’t,” she yelled, and shook the broom a bit.

  “Then why ask me at all?” Jiji huffed. “Anyway, I’m begging you not to mess this up. We’re looking for a town, not the sea, remember.”

  “Yes, I understand that. Okay, south, south…” She looked here and there, then sighed with relief. “Got it! It’s this way. The moon is on my left, so there’s no mistake.”

  With a whistle she accelerated, flying faster and faster. The wind blowing past her grew stronger, and the bristles of her broom sounded like a running river. Now and then she saw a scattering of lights between the dark mountains. Sometimes she came upon gray-colored fields, but that didn’t happen very often. Mostly it was mountain after mountain.

  Kiki flew on and on. Faintly, the eastern sky began to grow lighter. Then bright light spread rapidly, chasing the darkness away, and the world that had been gray and navy burst into all sorts of colors. The hills were carpeted in the gentle greens of spring and looked light enough to float into the air. Pointy, rocky mountain peaks gleamed dewily. Kiki’s heart pounded—she was impressed that a single ray of sun could make the world this beautiful.

  In a small valley, she saw a village with trails of smoke rising from chimneys. Before long, she found a narrow stream glittering between the mountains. Sometimes it snaked out of sight before showing itself again, growing bigger and bigger as it went on.

  “Let’s try flying along this river,” she suggested. “Rivers supposedly end at the sea.”

  Kiki flicked on her radio and whistled along to the music. Her broom was catching a favorable breeze and cruising at a nice pace.

  “You know, Mom was saying big cities can be hard, but I really don’t want to live in a tiny town,” Kiki said to herself.

  “Then what kind of town sounds good?” Jiji raised his voice over the wind and the radio.

  “One bigger than Mom’s. With tall buildings, a zoo, and a station with trains coming and going. Oh, and an amusement park! What about you, Jiji?”

  “You’re awfully greedy. As long as I have a sunny roof, and a sunny bay window, and a sunny hallway—”

  “Are you cold?” Kiki interjected.

  “Yeah, a little.”

  “Then come over here. Don’t be afraid to tell me what you need. It’s just us two now,” she said, taking Jiji from where he clung to her back and putting him in her lap.

  “Hey, Kiki, how about that town?” Jiji asked after a while, abruptly poking his head out. The town directly below them was shaped like a round dish and surrounded by pretty green hills. From above, the clusters of orange and green roofs looked like carrots and peas in a soup.

  “Seems nice,” Kiki said.

  “This type of place is probably good to live in, you know?” Jiji said, putting on a knowledgeable air.

  “But isn’t it kind of small? Wait, look over there!” Kiki suddenly pointed with a shout. Far below was a little black dot that seemed to be coming toward them. When she took a closer look, she realized it was a witch with a black cat on her shoulder. But this witch flew in herks and jerks as if she were riding an unruly horse.

  “Let’s go say hello.” Kiki aimed her body down.

  “Oh!” Still herking and jerking, the other witch widened her eyes when she saw Kiki. Age-wise, she could have been Kiki’s big sister. “Well, it’s been quite a while since I met one of my own. Where did you come from? Could it be that today is your special day?” the witch said, looking Kiki up and down.

  “That’s right. I just left last night. You could tell?” Kiki steered her broom to fly alongside her.

  “Of course I can tell! You look so dressed up, and your face is all tense. I was just like you once!”

 
“I’m tense, huh? I thought I was pretty relaxed, but…” Kiki giggled. “When did you come of age?”

  “Almost exactly a year ago.”

  “How do you like this town?” Kiki pointed below.

  “I’m finally used to it.”

  “It was pretty tough?” Worried, Kiki looked away.

  “It wasn’t so bad.” The big-sister witch shrugged proudly, and dimples appeared in her cheeks. She had a kind face.

  Kiki remembered Kokiri’s advice about smiling. So that’s the face I need.

  “What do you do for a living?”

  “I’m a fortune-teller—with my cat, Pupu, here. I can tell how people are feeling, and I have a reputation for being right. They might just be flattering me, but, well, the townspeople are friendly.”

  “Nice. And you get to go visit your parents soon, right?”

  “Yes, that’s right! I can return with my head held high, so I’m satisfied. It may not look like it, but things are hard sometimes.”

  “I believe it. Seems like your broom is broken, too.”

  The big-sister witch laughed. “Ha! It’s not. I’m just bad at flying. But if you don’t fly every now and then, you start to forget you’re a witch, and even who you are at all—can’t have that. Anyway, today I’m going to a ranch over the mountain because one of their cows is in a bad mood. That’s why I’m up and out so early this morning. It’s not really fortune-telling, but…”

  “Wow, you’re going to see a cow?”

  “The trick to working as a witch is to take every job. This cow is a little strange, almost like a human. The other day she was complaining that she didn’t like the sound of the bell around her neck.”

  “Wow, how spoiled.” Kiki laughed.

  “Maybe she’s into music? Changing her bell and singing to her for a bit put her in a better mood. And the owner of this cow treats me to the most delicious cheese as a thank-you. It smells so good, and when you grill it, it gets all stretchy and gooey. I’m really looking forward to having some more.”