A small mountain school in Japan is the setting of this story from the author's childhood.

It is Sportsday, when the children compete in races and the principal awards prizes. Parents come carrying lunch boxes and kettles of tea, to cheer the children on. 

The last event is almost over. The playground becomes suddenly quiet as two strangers, American soldiers, appear at the gate. The children have never seen American soldiers and are at first afraid and shy, until the two wave and smile.

When one soldier begins to ride the principal's bicycle, the children giggle. The tall stranger performs amazing feats, each one more daring and magnificent than the one before. He is a huge dancing spider—he is an enormous dragonfly. And the children, in their unbounded delight, respond with cheers and shouting and wild clapping of hands.

Allen Say recalls vividly the joy and innocence of that special day in his memory. Story and illustrations complement each other perfectly to create a beautiful, harmonious work.

From the dust jacket