Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction 4-7 2019 | Page 241

Fairy Tales and False Truths
Yew Chung International School, Lo, Michelle - 15
A treasure ship in a fairy tale is the basis for a good story, but a fairy tale on a treasure ship is a
disaster waiting to happen.
Even so, Li’s days onboard the Ming Treasure Fleet are filled with stories. While the other sailors
are away on land, his anticipation of their return and the tales that will follow lingers in his mind.
It is an unbearable itch that not even his favorite book of fairy tales can scratch – for the young,
plain boy lives for fables of richly patterned Arabian carpets, of tropical fruity wine and endless oceans of
amber sand. He thrives under legends of lush verdant rainforests, of exotic spotted animals, and hypnotic
dancers in lively linen livery. He drinks up the crew’s stories of daring escapes and heroic adventures with an
unquenchable thirst and endless admiration.
“Tell me more,” he often begs, and while the crew fondly obliges every time, it is never enough. It
can never be enough.
As he hears other mariners chatter about elaborate court music in Champa and massive golden
shrines in Malacca, a fierce hunger burns within him, insatiable in its fierceness and animalistic in its jealousy.
As he scales the rigging, he imagines himself climbing towering trees in the jungle, like the lieutenant in
Siam. While he scrubs the wooden deck, he pictures himself slashing through an armada of pirates, like the
Admiral in Ceylon. The mere ship’s boy begins to nurse a dangerous dream – a desire to join the others on
land, on an adventure of his own.
Then, it appears as though Li’s wishes have been granted.
One sultry, humid morning, as the fleet drifts past the coast of Dai Viet, the venerable Admiral
approaches him. With his imposing presence and tiger-like stride, Zheng He is both respected and feared
throughout every port. Li trembles under his discerning gaze.
“You’re coming with us when we reach Samudera,” states the Admiral.
Those simple, powerful words, spoken with such surety and composure, send Li into a state of
euphoria. For weeks, he stumbles through the wooden galleys with a dazed grin; at night, he tosses and turns
feverishly, whispering those words to himself like a prayer. “I’m finally going on land,” he murmurs,
exulted. “I’m going on an adventure. I’m going to be a hero.”
“Have fun, boy, but be careful,” warns the lieutenant gruffly, his weathered hands hoisting the sails
deftly. The seasoned second-in-command is Li’s closest confidante and his main source of stories. “It isn’t
going to be all sunshine and rainbows out there.”
Li simply nods and smiles, already dreaming of his future exploits.
*
The ship’s rudder scrapes against the reef, just as the stars silently fall away to rosy-flushed skies.
Pressed against the timber railing, Li observes keenly as the rocky shore of Samudera, dappled with trees and
rugged cliffs, draws nearer.
This is it , Li thinks. This is my adventure.
The band marches on shore with their sabers and crossbows, and Li can barely contain his
excitement as he recalls their mission.