Final answer:
Sadako Sasaki is training for her school's relay race team when she starts to have dizzy spells in 'Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.' The dizzy spells mark the beginning of her struggle with leukemia caused by exposure to the Hiroshima atomic bombing. As her illness progresses, Sadako starts to fold paper cranes, inspired by a Japanese legend promising a wish granted to those who fold a thousand of them.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, Sadako Sasaki is training to be a member of her school's relay race team when she starts experiencing dizzy spells. Sadako was highly enthusiastic about running and had the ambition to become the best runner in her class. Endearing herself to her classmates with her zest and determination, she was well on her way to achieving her goal when the dizzy spells began, signaling the onset of her illness. Sadako's story takes a poignant turn from this point, as it unfolds into a tale of hope, perseverance, and the symbolic significance of paper cranes in Japanese culture.
Background on Sadako
Sadako's dizzy spells are a key plot point symbolizing the intersection of her youthful dreams with the tragic realities of her health, a result of the long-term effects of radiation exposure from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. As her condition worsens, the focus of the story shifts from her training aspirations to her battle with leukemia – referred to as the "atom bomb disease." The paper cranes come into play as a symbol of her wish for recovery, inspired by the Japanese legend that one who folds a thousand paper cranes will be granted a wish by the gods.
The novel, written by Eleanor Coerr, serves not only as a story of a young girl's indomitable spirit but also as an informative window into post-war Japanese culture and the health impacts of nuclear warfare. Through Sadako's determination to fold a thousand paper cranes, readers learn about the power of hope and the importance of peace.