712
1945
The skies above the prison camp that had been their home for nearly four years were ablaze with colorful parachutes as countless American soldiers jumped out of huge transport planes passing just over the treetops of Anqing.
David, remembering his mother’s promise that the Americans would rescue them and bring sweets to fill their empty bellies, ran out the gates of the prison with dozens of other children, tumbling into the overgrown sorghum field, yelling, “Sweets, sweets, sweets!”
The soldiers, confused, thinking they were landing amidst a flock of birds, hugged the chirping children, who were – finally – free.
THE END