The New Tales of Old Shanghai - Double Zero
Malvern College Qingdao , Lin , Jackson - 14
“ T
oday is the start of winter HOLIDAY !” Kevin and his classmates screamed in ecstasy .
“ Silence ! I will announce homework and after that you may leave . Your homework is to write a passage about how citizens in old Shanghai greeted their emperor . You should write at least 3 pages . I teacher said firmly . “ Oh no ... I have no idea about old Shanghai . I don ’ t even know Shanghai very well . How can I possibly complete the homework ? There ’ s no way I can do it .” Kevin mumbled in frustration .
Kevin had played the video game for a month . He only had a week to do his homework . He started to think how to write 3 pages about a city that he was not familiar with . 6 days left ... 5 days .... 4 days ...... 3 ...... 2 ..... 1 ..... “ Oh my goddess . Why is time passing so fast ? I haven ’ t written down anything yet ... Old Shanghai ... Old Shanghai ..... Old Shanghai .........” He groaned slower and slower .
“ Where am I ? What time is it ? Why am I here ?” Kevin was shocked . He could see pictures of Emperor Lee on the big gate of the palace ! “ Where is my video games ? Where is my home ? Who are they ? Why are they wearing ridiculous clothes ? Are they shooting drama ?” He was in panic . He looked at his watch and the watch showed that it was 7 th century now . It made him completely confused .
He walked toward Emperor Lee ’ s pictures and found a big number of people coming towards him . Everyone around him was on their knees with the utmost respect . He didn ’ t know why they were greeting Emperor like that , so he just stood still and stared at him . There were millions of soldiers who guarded the Emperor . “ Hey young boy , get down on your knees and greet the emperor like others do .” an old man next to him warned in a low voice . However , Kevin ignored the old man and stood still because he thought putting knees down would hurt his pride .
Nothing happened until the Emperor spotted Kevin in the crowd . Emperor called the closest guard around him and stopped the parade . “ Arrest the boy over there who is not showing respect to me !” He shouted angrily . Three soldiers went ahead and arrested Kevin . He was frightened , so he ran away .
Kevin tried to escape from the three soldiers , but he didn ’ t know the way to escape , so he just ran towards wherever he could go . He went through markets and shelters and finally he ran to a dead end . He hesitated because he didn ’ t know how to deal with the situation . He wanted to fight with them , but he didn ’ t have any weapons to fight and the soldiers had spears . While he was considering , the soldiers arrived . “ Finally catch you !” He couldn ’ t disobey anymore .
Three soldiers brought Kevin to the Emperor . “ Why didn ’ t you greet me properly ?” the Emperor asked . “ Um ... because it hurt my pride .” Kevin answered . “ So , you didn ’ t greet me properly because you don ’ t feel well ?” the Emperor answered . “ Yes ...” Kevin answered . “...... Are you a spy ? Why are you wearing ridiculous clothes ?” the Emperor stunned silence for a while and asked him some questions again . “ Bring him to judge and let judge identify this rude boy . He seems like a spy .” the Emperor said angrily .
He stayed in prison for a moment before he got punishment . “ Should I be punished because I didn ’ t put my knees down ? What kinds of punishment are they going to give me ?” He mumbled . While he is mumbling he heard some noise from the next door . The sound was like an old man whispering .
“ Hello ? Anyone there ?” he asked carefully . “ What do you want ?” unknown person from the next door asked back . “ I just want to ask you something .” Kevin said . “ What are your questions ?” the person from the next door asked . “ What is your name ?” Kevin asked . “ I am James .” Kevin was little surprised because his grandfather was also called James . “ May I see your face ?” Kevin asked curiously . “ Why ? I don ’ t want to show my face .” James answered doubtingly . “ Sorry I was not meant to make you feel bad . Why are you here by the way ?” Kevin changed topic as fast as possible .
“ It is complicated . Then why are you here ?” he refused to answer . “ It is complicated too .” Kevin answered in same way . “ Okay , I am here because I stole food from a store and the owner of the store was friend of the head of the village I hope you know the story afterward . How about you ?” James said . “ Well , I am not sure why I am here , but the Emperor said I am here because I didn ’ t greet him with putting my knees down .” Kevin answered . “ Do you think it makes sense ? I think it is really unfair . What do you think ?” Kevin said quickly and his voice broke with emotion . “ I think it is unfair too , but we don ’ t have any authority to change rules .” James answered calmly .
“ Could you please show me your face because your voice and name is similar with someone I know ?” Kevin asked cautiously . “ Sure , come closer .” James walked toward to Kevin by the time he said the words .