Chapter 67

As decision, so action. Willow borrowed a cleaver from Agatha's house, skillfully grinding down the bamboo tube's knots. Once the bamboo's exterior became smooth and round, she split it in half with her knife, each half a mirror to the other. The movements began clumsily, but eventually became increasingly skilled and dexterous. Some bamboo pieces were turned into segments by her clear cut blows. Some were sliced into thin strips. On the side, two little rascals, Louis and Jason, under Willow's arrangement, already boiled a big pot of water on the stove. Willow put the processed bamboo all into the pot for steaming. This practice effectively eliminates all the adult and larvae insects within the bamboo. After steaming and drying, Willow started making all kinds of utensils out of the dried bamboo. Small tables, small chairs, baskets, bamboo chopsticks, bamboo cups, bamboo beds, bamboo mats. There was even a bamboo sofa on which one could lie or sit on. The two little guys watched slack