A Whirl to Old Shanghai
Shanghai Singapore International School , Lu , Eason – 11
Q i Lin , born to a rich family , lives on the outskirts of Shanghai . It was a scorching summer day when he was walking to school and the sun felt like it ’ s frying you like an omelet on the pavement . Finally , he arrived at school and the event was ready .
Qi Lin knew that this event is going to be another boring field trip to an old Shanghai exhibit , just great ! The ride to the exhibit took forever , and finally the class reached destination . Zhao Xi , Qi Lin ’ s best friend , reminded him that the exhibit won ’ t be so bad . However , Qi Lin found the exhibit boring and decided to leave the class to explore things he would take interest in . Zhao Xi decided to follow and left the class . Lee Lin , Qi Lin ’ s arch-enemy yelled , “ Hey ! You can ’ t just leave the class !” Qi Lin yelled back , “ Would you want to stay at this ?” Qi Lin trudged away with Zhao Xi . Lee Lin said , “ Hey , where …?” He ran after them . “ Look !” Qi Lin shouted , pointing at a display of old automobiles . “ Huh ,” Lee Lin said , “ just old cars … and go back to class !” “ Don ’ t you see that car ? The golden one ?” Qi Lin pointed to the car and indeed , it was golden . The perfect curves , the shining polished surface refracted golden light across the room .
Of course , the three children hadn ’ t noticed the guard standing by them . Now , they just stood in awe as they saw the shinning car . “ Wow !” said Qi Lin ," Let ’ s look closer !” “ Yah !” said Lee Lin . Qi Lin leaned against the display glass .
“ Stop now !” bellowed the guard . All of them leapt in surprise . The guard grabbed at Qi Lin . Qi Lin thought it would be fun and dodged . The guard grabbed again , but missed , and his hand smashed in the display glass . The display glass shattered . The guard suddenly blew a shrill whistle and ten other guards rushed to the room to help the guard . Qi Lin , Zhao Xi and Lee Lin backed away against the car . “ Uh oh !” Qi Lin said . He knew the only hope is to be in the car . He opened the car door and tumbled inside . “ Get in !” he shouted , and Lee Lin and Zhao Xi got in as well .” What now ?” Zhao Xi asked though it isn ’ t really a question , they were surrounded . In panic , Qi Lin pressed the acceleration pedal .
Suddenly , a roar sounded . “ Wow !” said Qi Li , “ The oil hasn ’ t run out yet !” A swirling sensation filled the three inhabitants of the car . The car spun faster , outside is only a blur of golden light . A town appeared outside the window , seemingly unfolding itself around the car . “ Where are we !” asked Zhao Xi , looking confused . They got out of the car and scanned the surroundings , the tattered buildings , the cracked pavement . A poor man walked by in ragged clothes pulling a cart filled with cement . He looked old , tired and poor . Qi Lin looked at him and said , “ Um … Hello , may I ask you a question ?” “ Yah .” murmured the old man . ” What ’ s the date ?” asked Qi Li . “ June 3 rd , 1947 ” Qi Lin , Zhao Xi and Lee Lin ’ s mouths fell open and hit the ground . Qi Lin just tossed him a cent and pretended to walk away as if nothing happened . The old man looked at coin , “ Wait , I don ’ t recognize this .”
“ Where are you going ?” yelled a voice above . Qi Lin looked up , a woman was peering out of a window . She was wearing a cheongsam and looked traditional . Qi Lin glanced at Zhao Xi , wondering what to do next .
“ Coming up here , son !” said the woman . Qi Lin felt confused but reluctantly went through the door of the house .
Slowly , things started working out , the three children realized that they had travelled through time and dropped right smack into old Shanghai around 70 years ago into different families : Qi Lin had a rich family , which is similar to him being born with a silver spoon in his mouth in present day , Zhao Xi and Lee Lin had ordinary families .