Chapter Four: Sadako's Illness Summary and Analysis

Nine years later the war was behind the Sasaki family. The family had two more children, Mitsue, a, girl and Eiji, a boy. Shigeo opened a small barbershop. Sadako was in the sixth grade and Masahiro, in the seventh grade. Life seemed hopeful again. Sadako was a popular student who excelled at sports. She won almost every running contest. She was the star of her class' running team. The kids on the team practiced for months for the relay race to take place at Grand Field Day. The team won the competition and Sadako was the star of her team.

During winter recess, Sadako began to complain of feeling generally discomforted. Her mother noticed a swelling under both ears. She had no fever so mumps were ruled out. Shigeo took her to see Dr. Hatagawa...