Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 1-2 | Page 180

The Jade Key
Diocesan Girls' Junior School, Lau, Hoi Ching Janet – 11
I
t was a breezy autumn afternoon at the school garden. A lone leaf, shaded a brilliant gold, fluttered
down from a bauhinia tree and landed on the lap of a sobbing young girl. She picked it up and, as if it
brought back awful memories from the past hour, whispered:
“Why wasn’t I chosen as the concert mistress? I am the most skilled violin player in the orchestra! This
leaf is just like me, gold unlike the others, and had just fallen out of the crowd.”
As the girl, whose name was Alice, struggled to understand why she had failed in the seating audition
that afternoon, she noticed a queer group of creatures standing beside her. The one nearest her was a
monkey with the body of a man. Then there were a hideous man in rags, a half-man-half-pig, and a
kind-looking young monk. Curiously, she inquired, “Who are you? What are you doing here?”
“We don’t mean to intrude,” began the monk, “My name is Xuanzang, and these are my disciples,
Monkey, Pigsy and Sandy. We had just retrieved the legendary Buddhist scriptures, and now we are in
search of the Jade Key hidden by Buddha to unlock the wise sayings inside —”
“We just happen to be lost!” interrupted Monkey, harshly.
“Here is a riddle by — stop stamping your feet, Monkey! — by Buddha. It can lead us to the Jade
Key,” explained Xuanzang.
“In the Pearl of the East, you will discover
A priceless monument, a bauhinia so gold.
Secrets will be revealed, tales will be told,
When a team of five unites to uncover.”
“We have searched every bauhinia tree in the city but could not find a single golden flower.” finished
Pigsy.
“Hmm….let me think. Maybe the ‘golden bauhinia’ from the riddle is referring to the statue in the
Golden Bauhinia Square at Wan Chai.” exclaimed Alice.
“Do you mind bringing us there?” asked Xuanzang, interested.
Alice was tempted by the idea, but was also wary of these mysterious strangers. Thinking that it should
be relatively safe on a public bus, Alice suggested, “I know a bus that can take us there. Come and follow
me.”
On the bus, the foursome marveled at the tall, shiny skyscrapers and the huge cruises flashing neon
lights on their sleek surfaces. Yet most of the time they just huddled together, trying to decipher the riddle.
The only one not involving in the discussion was Monkey. He was sulking. Just then, Xuanzang
noticed him and beamed. “Monkey, why all the attitude?”
“This bus thing is so slow! If I ride my cloud,” Monkey bragged, “I can be there in less than a minute!”
And with that, he leapt off into his rainbow-coloured cloud, disappearing in a flash.
“Typical Monkey!” muttered Pigsy, rolling his eyes.
Xuanzang looked worried. “Does he know the way?”
“Relax, Master.” Sandy comforted. “I’m sure he can just ask for directions.”
When they arrived at the square, Monkey was waiting for them. “You guys are such turtles! Well, I
have already searched every corner. The Jade Key’s nowhere here. Let’s go elsewhere!”
“Wait a second!” Pigsy perked up. “My nose detects jade somewhere — jade from Buddha, to be
precise. I have never forgotten that holy scent ever since my last visit to Buddha’s palace!”
He scurried towards the enormous golden bauhinia statue in the middle of the square, skidded to a
stop, and enquired, “Monkey, have you inspected the inside of the statue? I think it’s in there. Come on!
Let’s check it out!”
“Do we have to climb up this giant flower?” asked Xuanzang, shivering with fear. “I’m afraid of
heights!”
“Relax, Master.” Sandy grinned. “We will find a way together. Monkey, let’s have a piece of rope.”
Sighing, Monkey plucked a hair off the top of his head. With a puff, it magically turned into a long,
sturdy rope.
“Thank you.” Sandy tied one end of the rope to Pigsy’s nine-toothed rake, which made a grappling
hook. Then he threw it up to anchor safely in the middle of the bauhinia statue, allowing Xuanzang to
climb up.