Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 1-2 | Page 285

Dorothy picked the yellow brick road to the West. It was so long. We kicked some rocks up in the air, and
were soaked in dust and dirt. I dreamt for a pleasant cold bath. The wind blew hot air into our faces. I took
a deep breath and continued. I felt conflicting. I did not want to be Monkey King. I just wanted to go
home. It was an inescapable torture here. I would rather do my homework than having to conquer this
unthinkable quest. But on the other hand, I kept going. I did not know what has changed within me. I just
wanted to achieve the goal with Dorothy.
On and on we walked. Even Dorothy, the patient girl from Kansas, was getting impatient. "When are we
arriving?" She wailed, with sweat all over her face. I looked at her with sorrow in my eyes. "Dorothy, I am
so sorry. I didn't know it could be this exhausting." My eyes opened wide. NEVER have I apologised to
anyone before. Not even mum and dad. I felt good. Did I just learn something... I think they are called,
manners and empathy?
Soon the path was getting very narrow. "We are nearly there, Dorothy!" I exclaimed enthusiastically.
Dorothy faked a smile and looked away. I was worried that she was angry with me. I started walking faster
and faster. Squinting, I could just make out the blurry shape of a treasure chest. Excited, I began to run.
"We did it, Dorothy!"
We opened the chest, and found a scroll of paper. I rolled out the paper, trying impossibly to make sense of
the beautiful ancient Chinese calligraphy on it. Dorothy shook my arm and exclaimed, "Monkey King, look
at this!" I quickly shifted my focus to where she was pointing. Engraved into the wood were some letters in
gold:
UNROLL THE PAPER.
LAY IT ON THE GROUND.
FACE WEST.
KNEEL BEFORE THE GREATEST AND YOU SHALL FIND WHAT YOU SEEK.
Looking at each other, Dorothy and I did what was requested. Suddenly there was a strong, blinding ray of
sunlight. We saw Buddha appear before us. "You have come a long way to find our important scriptures of
wisdom. You shall each have a wish of your own and I will make it come true."
I knew what Dorothy’s wish must be. Bewildered, I was going to say “No homework!” but I stopped
myself. It suddenly dawned on me that homework might actually help me learn. Instead, I bravely asked
Buddha, "Can you make me a better person, like Dorothy, with love, courage and determination?"
Buddha turned to me with the kindest smile I have ever seen. “My dear Henry, you have already become a
better child. You have learnt a lesson through this journey. That’s all that matters..."
***
I woke up at my desk. I heard Perfect Peter screaming, “Yay, I have defeated Darth Vader…even before
YOU, Horrid Henry!”
Yet, there is no place like home.