Escape from Fayuan
Dulwich College Beijing , Blackburn , Lily - 10
I n the land where mountains touch the ceramic sky , some say it is good fortune to be born a monk . But not in the eyes of inquisitive Kualie . In the dilapidated temple of Fayuan lived an adolescent monk . Only once did he see the light of day ; the glistening of the stars at night . Captive in the vibrant walls of Fayuan , Kualie , despite the company of his friends , would he ever feel the same again ? Growing up as a monk was his destiny , his calling , so his thoughts of freedom just lay there , curled up inside a corner of his mind . When he was little a letter was found stating that he had a father living in the north of Tibet . This letter was the only thing keeping his spirits alive . Years , days , months passed and still no contentment comes to any aspect of Kualie ' s life . Slowly , his dreams fade in his broken heart . Animals , monks , and doctors all visit him to try fix his spirit . Despite the absence of conscious thought , a plan formed : Escape ... escape ... is what his mind called . Escape ... his imagination flowed once again but his thoughts still lay dormant . The idea of an escape was all that haunted the mind of Kualie . He thoght about this idea long and hard ... Should I ? Yes ! No . Yes ! He started to smiled but not happily , just the thought that he might be able to escape , fills his heart with pride . The doctors came once more , noticing a change ," Look ! He is not as sad as he once was , this is a miracle ! I did it , we need to tell the ... the ... who shall we tell ?" The doctor questioned . " No one ! This must stay a secret forever ," explained the monk " We would not want Kubera our worshiped god , to hear of his mishap , disaster , this misfortune . He would be heartbroken to think that a monk could ever be sad !" Then they left . Although the doctors came frequently , he started to nurture his idea . He would go through the Fayuan gate then over the bridge . Kualie didn ' t know the area very well anyway , so this was a challenge . The bench and that ’ s all . The same bench he sat on for 30 years . He was going to bring his animal friends with him . Then he knew . The only thing stopping him from getting caught was him , the only person stopping him from leaving Fayuan was himself . Him , no-one else . So , he would leave . Tonight . He would pack his only clothing , an old carrot colored robe with a rip down the side , as that was all he was ever given as clothing . He would leave his animals to roam free . As he walked to the rusty iron gates he felt guilty . He was going to escape but he would leave his only home , the one place he had known for 30 years . As he approached , all he could see was the fine lines between the icy stones of the bridge and the soil beneath . He could sense in his dreams , the sights and sounds of an amazing life ahead . Finally , he stepped , cautiously , onto the bridge . Kualie felt freedom at last , his life was in his hands and his dear companions by him . Awe-inspiring nature stood along the railings of the bridge , while the blue sky shone downwards on his face . A grin spread over his face as he took each step , treasuring it while it lasted . Reaching in him pocket he noticed something with a silky-smooth lining . It was his letter . Not in years had he seen his letter , only his thoughts dwelled if his father was really alive . He remembered his fancy , over-the-top writing and how he would spend years writing for his mother . But all his effort was never appreciated as never one of his letters were ever read . Kualie ' s energy boosted a lot as he started to build on a plan : to visit his long-lost father and tell him of his sadness , then he could write a letter and send it to his old friends . Looking through the two books he had packed he realized the only way to get to where his father lived was by Train . Traveling by boat was too much for his animals and traveling by foot would take weeks . He had no time . Kualie didn ' t even know if his father was alive or where Tibet was . One thing was certain though , he would make it to Tibet no-matter what . He opened his backpack and pulled out his map , then inspected the closest train station however it was 1mile away . Suddenly he remembered that he promised himself a promise he would never regret .
Leaving was hard , he could not turn back now , his father was counting on him . Well at least Kualie thought he was , so , he started to walk . 2 hours passed as he arrived at the train station , and he was welcomed by a big sign that stated Beijing north railway station . This was it . He walked up to a railway ticket man ," 10 cents for one ticket . Today is the special day . So , where ' s your money old folk ?" he questioned Kualie , " I have nothing sir , only my happy heart , and freedom ." Kualie then hesitantly sat on a bench . " Well that ’ s no good , you ..." Then an elderly man cut in . " Folk , I understand your erg to get on this train , now take this money and guard it with your life ." Kualie kissed the man ' s hand and got onto the wooden train . The train journey would take two hours and a half . It would lead Kualie over grassy , colossal mountains . The affectionate man followed him all the way , starting up conversations Kualie found fascinating .