The light was so bright Kubo couldn’t see anything. When it finally faded, the cemetery was calm. The giant beast was gone. Standing in front of him was the gentle old man from his dream. He smiled kindly.

“Where am I?” he asked.

Sensing that something powerful had happened, Kubo walked toward him. He knelt in front of him. “Hello, Grandfather,” he said.

The man looked confused. “I’m sorry, young man, but I seem to have forgotten my story. Can you help me?”

The people in the crowd looked at one another, realizing what had happened. The powerful magic that had brought the spirits to Earth had taken the Moon King’s memory, turning him into an ordinary old man. The love they felt for one another had made him human again. Kameyo stepped forward, seeing an opportunity.

“I’ll tell him. No—we’ll all tell him. We’ll tell him everything he needs to know,” she said. Then she turned to the old man. “You are the kindest, sweetest man to ever live in this village.”

“Really?” the old man said.

Mari stepped forward. “Every day you walk around smiling and handing out coins to children like me.”

“And old women!” Kameyo added.

One by one, more villagers stepped forward.

“You taught my kids to swim!” the fishmonger called out.

“You fed the hungry,” an elderly woman said.

“You’re a good man,” Akihiro added.

“A great example,” the owner of the kimono shop said.

Kameyo leaned in close and pointed to Kubo. “You know, we have something in common. We both adore your grandson. His name is Kubo.”

The old man rubbed his forehead and frowned. “Kubo, I’m sorry…” he said softly, “but I don’t remember.”

“Well, your grandson’s a storyteller,” Kameyo said. “He’ll tell you all the stories you’ve forgotten.”

“Really?” the old man said.

Kubo looked at his grandfather, who was so different from the man who stood before him just hours before. His face didn’t have the same harsh lines. He was frail and kind, and he smiled when he spoke. Maybe Kubo wasn’t alone after all.… Maybe he’d have his grandfather from now on.

“Of course I’ll tell you,” Kubo said, taking his hand.