New Tales of Old Shanghai
Chinese International School , Zheng , Olivia – 9
X
iao Long dragged his tired legs out of the old rickety restaurant . He had been washing vegetables and cutting dough for the whole afternoon . The deadly hot sun shone on his face while he stumbled on the stony paths .
Suddenly , a gust of wind blew a yellow parchment paper onto his face . He quickly grabbed it and read it .
“ All citizens , I am launching a competition to see who is the best dumpling maker in Old Shanghai . The winner will have a statue of their honour . ( Points will be higher if you create a new flavour ). The competition will be held at the town square , on January 28 . Signed Qianlong Huangdi .”
“ This is a real chance for me to prove I will make the best dumplings in the world ! Then I don ' t need to keep on washing vegetables and cutting dough !” Xiao Long thought to himself . He ran happily back home to tell his family the good news .
Xiao long ’ s mother was making some Chinese snacks when Xiao Long rushed into the kitchen . “ Ma ! I have some good news to tell you !” Xiao Long yelled in excitement . “ Don ' t be such in a hurry , boy !” Xiao Long ' s mother said . “ The emperor has launched a dumpling competition !” Xiao Long bellowed . “ That ' s a wonderful opportunity for you to prove you don ' t have to be in the kitchen cutting dough and washing vegetables !” Xiao Long ' s mother stood and clapped her hands together delightfully . “ That was what I was thinking about !” Xiao long agreed . Dumpling ( his little brother ) came and hugged his leg . “ When is the day of the competition ?” “ January 28 !” “ Fantastic , just right on Chinese New Year ! I should bring some snacks !” “ The other two good things are , your brother knows a lot about good herbs that can be used in cooking , and your sister just came back from dim sum culinary school . Maybe they can help you .” Xiao Long ' s mother added . His sister , who was making fortune cookies , winked at him .
Under his siblings help , Xiao Long finally grasped the complicated steps for making a thin pastry and inventing a new dumpling . The night before the competition , Xiao Long was so excited that he couldn ' t fall asleep . He tossed and turned around on his bed , until he was breathless . Finally he fell asleep .
The big day arrived . Xiao Long ’ s father had arrived from the far away Jia Xing and the rest of his family was coming to cheer for him . When they arrived at the town square , it was full of excitement . There were people singing and dancing , putting up lanterns and having picnics . It looked like a carnival .
The competition started . Qianlong Huangdi sat comfortably watching on his red throne .
“ First we have Zhuang Xiao Long !” Qianlong Huangdi yelled . The crowd went quiet . Xiao Long ' s family started cheering , his grandmother was waving her cane . Xiao Long held up his steamer carefully . Even though he acted calm and confident , his heart was thumping quickly , his hands were shaking crazily , and sweat rolled down his red cheeks . He couldn ' t believe that he was the first contestant . “ So what do you have here , young man ?” Qianlong Huangdi whispered . “ Here I have a ginseng flavoured Xiao long bao .” Xiao Long answered back , a drip of sweat dropped on his baggy pants . “ Named after you ?” “ Yes sir !”