New Journeys to the West
International College Hong Kong , Leung , Chloe - 12
“ T
here were many stories told that existed more than a thousand years ago , and still exists to this day . You ’ ve been told most of the stories I know , except one . This is my story .
Back from 500 hundred years ago , when society was still a dark place , wasn ’ t developed and was at war . After a long time , society never changed , our enemies would never stop fighting or giving up . When I was only 3 and was still new to the world , I remember the time I was crying and begging for my mother to hold onto me tight , I remember the time I had to be carried away into the darkness , I remember the time I had to be put in a basket and ready to float away , I remember the time my mother miserably wishing me farewell . Every mother or father in the village would always want their child to stay safe and secure . The villagers all fled and took their children secretly and stealthily across the great stone wall . Hoping none of the enemies wouldn ’ t catch sight of them . The great stone wall was 10 meters tall , it was almost impossible to climb over it . Especially when you carry a few months old child .
There were many ways of escaping the dreadful war but there was never one that actually succeeded . Not one . The villagers confidently gave it a try but once they got it pass the great stone wall , even an inch pass it , you look up and see nothing in the dark . Nothing but a small glimpse of light in the distance . The more you stay at the top of the great wall , you can see the glimpse of light coming closer every second . An illusion it is , that ’ s what the villagers would say . Not all , some would say that light is your nightmare , you ’ d never want to come close to it . Your nightmare , because once seeing it might even be your last . The light turns out to be . Fire . The enemies have boats and giant ships parked right outside the stone walls . Every night , there will be more than a thousand soldiers taking the night shift around the whole village ’ s great stone wall , watching if any villagers are daring to escape . If one or even two , appears , fiery arrows will come shooting straight at them .
My mother , a bright and intelligent woman , she had a plan for me to escape the battle of conflicts . On the right side of the stone wall , there was a small hole that was able to fit , well at least me . It wasn ’ t that small , the hole led to the water , and the water led to freedom . You might think the ships were parked outside on water , but no none of the ships were on water , they were all pulled and parked up the sand . The hole was already the tip of the island , so it led straight to the ocean . My mother decided to put me in a basket and let me float away into the ocean , wishing the best , she released and I left her . Forever . I floated for almost two days and finally reached an island , the island I believe to be Spain . So here I am now .
A pleasant day it is . Bright colourful day . I , now an adventurer wandering through the lush trees , the tall mountains , pushing through every other thorn I walk into , stepping onto the blooming flowers just to get past this garden . I have no idea where I ’ m going , I have no map , not even a single compass . You see ? I ’ m not exactly an adventurer , I ’ m just here now to find another island , I was back in Spain a year ago , it was a mess , we have a king , but is old of age and has no children . He announced just about a year ago , that the first person who finds India will become the next mighty king . During this time , silks and spices from India were exceptionally popular , so everyone sailed to the East to seek for India . Everyone believed sailing East to find India would be the easiest way to get there , but I say different , the West is where I ’ m headed . A shorter route across the sea to approach my destiny .
I was supposed to sail towards the West , but I was shipwrecked . Everything I brought was destroyed , demolished , and ruined . Nothing was left , nothing survived . Nothing . Except one . Me . That night back on water , I came across something terrible , I wasn ’ t exactly sure what it was . It caught red , was angry and displeased of me disturbing the wild ocean . Something terrible happened that night , something too ghastly to say , which is why I ’ ve ended up alone on this deserted , unknown place .
Luckily when I ’ ve reached this island , I ’ ve met a few new friends to help me on my journey . A monkey king , a friar and an unusual talking pig , going on a journey towards the west together to find a new island . Without a map , I can lead my own way . The village , my home , my roots , the villagers used to tell me , be the map of your own path . When I was younger , I never understood the true meaning of it , I always thought , to find your way to your destination , you need a map to lead you . “ Be the map of your own path .” I never thought of it that way , I always had walls there to block my limited brain of thinking . It never was unlimited , until now . The wall vanished in my mind after realizing my abilities and discovering my own imagination .
The monkey king , the friar and the talking pig , they all have special abilities , the monkey king can go against millions of enemies at the same time and still stands the last one alive , the friar is skillful with navigating , and the talking pig is amazing at , well , don ’ t know , nothing ? Wait , the pig is amazing at building rafts .