Curly Noodles and the Curious Dragons
Diocesan Girls ' Junior School , Ho , Evelyn - 11
T he ever-increasing drops of sweat dove off Qi ’ s face and splashed into his noodle soup , creating a ripple like raindrops on a pond . “ Lee Tang , I love your noodles , but it ’ s as hot as a sauna in here !” “ Exactly !” chorused all the other customers . Lee Tang , a chubby little man with a bushy black beard and thick hair , groaned . This happened every day . He muttered , “ I ’ ve won the Dragon Award for ten consecutive years , and all everyone mentions is the state of my shop ! I know it ’ s too hot because of the steam , but I can ’ t move to a different place ! My family has been here for generations , but I can ’ t lose my customers !” His heart sank to his boots as he looked around the steam-filled room .
Lee Tang ’ s cherished prizes , the Dragon Awards , were based on the myth that two dragons guarded the best restaurant . People thought that it was only a story , but hidden deep inside the icy snow-capped mountains were two shivering dragons yearning for heat .
One steamy day , Lee Tang was drenched in sweat and his hair and beard made him even hotter . He went to the barber ’ s . He yanked open the salon door and barged in like an angry bull . “ Good morning , sir ,” said the barber nervously . “ My hair is dripping with sweat ! Do something !” Lee Tang snapped grumpily . The barber reached for his curlers . “ I could curl your hair for you ,” he suggested . Lee Tang jumped to his feet . “ Eureka ! That ’ s it !” he shouted . He gave the barber a giant bear hug and without explaining , rushed out of the salon . The barber stared . He obviously thought that Lee Tang had lost his mind . “ He ’ s bananas ,” he muttered .
Lee Tang ran - or rather , waddled - as fast as his chubby little legs would take him to his friend Yang Zi ’ s home . It was funny indeed , watching the obese man tear down the street . By the time he arrived , he was puffing and panting like the Wolf trying to blow down the three little pigs ’ houses . Yang Zi was surprised to see him . “ Lee Tang ! What brings you here ? Come in and have a cup of tea !” “ Thanks , but no thanks . Yang Zi , you ’ re a builder , right ? You must come and help me curl up my roof !” “ What …” “ Come on , grab what you need and let ’ s go !” “ Cripes . He ’ s mad ,” muttered Yang Zi .
By the time Yang Zi had finished , it was sunset . The two beautiful fire-blowing dragons had decided to search for warmth . They launched themselves into the air , and with a flap of their powerful wings , shot across the horizon , looking like two rays from the sun . They circled over the city of Shanghai , watching for the tiniest whiff of smoke . Then they saw Lee Tang ’ s shop with the steam coming out in ringlets . Joyfully they swooped down . Just as Yang Zi wearily got off his ladder and looked up at his handiwork , the two dragons had stationed themselves on either side of the roof in that split second , perfectly aligned with the curve in the roof . Yang Zi gasped . “ But … but they weren ’ t here a minute ago !” he sputtered . Lee Tang came out of his shop . “ What did you say ? You ’ re done ?” He looked up at the roof . “ Oh , my ,” he breathed . The roof was a beautiful jade green , nicely curled up at the end , and at the edge were two magnificent gold dragons . The whole thing was perfectly outlined against the purple sky with the setting sun . “ It ’ s absolutely wonderful ! How on earth did you manage to make those marvellous dragon statues ? Fantastic , Yang Zi my pal ! Here , take this hundred Yuan , and come inside for some noodles !” Yang Zi smiled weakly . He hadn ’ t the foggiest idea where the dragons had come from , but just shrugged his shoulders and accepted the money and the noodles .
The next morning , up on the roof at dawn , the dragons shivered . They had spent a cold night without any warmth as the steam had drifted away . Just then , the heavenly scent of Lee Tang ’ s noodles wafted up to their nostrils and they felt the warm steam rising up to the ceiling . The dragons were beside themselves with delight . Swinging their tails over the edge , they absorbed all the steam blowing out of the window and proceeded to blow it out of their mouths .