Chapter 6 - Tasks

Leo suddenly took out a sack from his jacket. There were a few things in it: a pen case, a notebook with a yellow cover, and two thick books. One of the books was about outer space, and the other one was about nature. He took out his pen case and his notebook. 

“What are you going to do with those?” asked Jane. 

“Make notes,” answered Leo, “I love to make notes about nature. I’m writing down what August said. Please repeat it, August.”

August said again about the oak trees. And then, Leo began to make notes himself quietly. 

“How to spell – longitudinal?” he asked. 

“L – O – N – G – I – T – U – D – I – N – A – L. Longitudinal. ” answered August. 

“What is longitudinal?” asked Jane quietly.

“Like this,” said Leo. He was drawing a few vertical lines on his notebook. “Why don’t you make notes?” he asked. He looked more emotionless on his pale face.

“I didn’t bring any paper,” said Jane. She regretted that she didn’t bring notebooks. 

“Here. Use my pen and – ” Leo opened his pen case again and seized a yellowish-green pen. He tore a page from his notebook and passed it to Jane. 

“Sorry, I can’t – I don’t know how to use pens,” said Jane. 

“Then use this, ” murmured Leo. He passed a sharp pencil to Jane. 

“Oh, yes, ” said Leo, “I’ll help you copy my note.” And then he copied his note seriously for Jane. 

“Thanks.”

“Well, you love studying, don’t you?” asked August. He smiled at Leo. 

Leo remained emotionless and didn’t answer August. 

“Eh, can I read your note? ” asked August again. 

Leo passed his note book to August and passed the page to Jane. Leo’s handwriting was as special as himself.

Jane read the note: 

OAK TREES (August 1st)

Flourish season: summer

Trunk: thick, straight, with rough surface, longitudinal cracks, and a brown bark

Leaves: oval, with serrated or lobed edges, in the summer sun they have rich and vivid dark color, a tough texture, and a shiny surface

Adaptability: can root in all kinds of soils (even in poor places)

So, the Summer Logo is a green circle with an oak tree inside. 

“Wow, ” gasped Jane. 

Jane suddenly remembered something. The tasks! I went here with Leo to do tasks, She thought. 

“What are the tasks?” asked Jane. 

“Here is a piece of paper of tasks,” said August, smiling, “you can read it with Leo. ” He took out a piece of paper with sentences in a beautiful font. Jane held the paper and read silently: 

TASKS

1. GO TO THE CITY OF THE SEASONS

2. HAVE END–SUMMER PARTY

3. GET MRS AUTUMN AND SEPTEMBER ( MR. SUMMER AND AUGUST WILL GO BACK)

4. GET TO THE SMALL TOWN

5. GO BACK TO THE CITY OF THE SEASONS

6. GET OCTOBER

BE CAREFUL IN THE JOURNEY, PLEASE! 

“Oh, do we have to do all these tasks on our own?” asked Jane. 

“No. We’ll do it together. This is obvious!” yelled Mr. Summer impatiently. 

“I can’t wait,” said Jane. 

“We’re already doing the tasks!” said August.