Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 1 | Page 14

The Voyage
Dulwich College Beijing, Li, Damien - 6
Glaring at the bustling museum hall, Percy sighed: “This is going to be boring!”
Following his mother into the Ancient China exhibit, Percy walked to the center of the hall,
where an exquisite vase with swirling blue patterns and vivid drawings of sail ships was displayed.
“Who did this vase belong to?” Percy wondered as he walked closer to the vase.
Suddenly, there was a whirl of colour, a flash of golden light, and a gust of strong wind. Percy was
sucked into the vase.
THUD – Percy landed on the dusty deck of a gigantic ship. Dancing in the air, a yellow banner
with the Chinese character “Ming” hung on the mast.
“Where is mum?” Percy wondered with butterflies in his stomach. Around him were hundreds of
ships lined up on the crystal-clear sea.
An arrogant looking, middle-aged Chinese man dressed in a long robe with fine embroidery
interrupted his thoughts. “Are you spying on us?” he yelled in a deep voice.
Trembling in fear, Percy responded in Chinese: “No! My name is Percy. I am from Whistler,
Canada. Can I join you? Please?”
“Canada? Where is that? Does everyone in your place have blonde hair, pointy noses and pale
skin like you? I have led me fleet to 30 countries in six expeditions but never been to Canada. You will
take us there.” He beckoned Percy closer and nodded, “On behalf of the Great Ming Dynasty, I, Zheng
He, sail to our neighboring countries for the seventh time to deliver silks and porcelains, trade for herbs and
spices and reunite our friendships. And from now on, you shall be my guide to Canada!”
Hoping to find a way home, Percy nodded reluctantly: “Yes my Lord!”
As days went by, Percy followed Zheng He to amazing places like Java and India, met people
speaking different dialects and tasted scrumptious cuisines.
However, one gloomy day, a panicked shout came from the deck: “Pirates!
ARRRRRRRRGH!!!!!!” Percy ran up and saw greasy pirates jumping onto the ship. All of a sudden, a
long-beard pirate grabbed Percy and put a sharp sword to his neck.
Percy closed his eyes in agony: “Mum, I can’t go home anymore...”
“Let him go! He is only a boy!” Zheng He bellowed as he charged to the pirate, armed with a
broadsword.
Hours later, Percy woke up gradually on a blood-soaked deck. Not too far away, Zheng He, with
a sword piercing his chest, leaned against the mast. Tortured by the unbearable pain, he said his last words:
“I always knew dying on the ocean was my destiny. I will never make it to Canada. Please take the vase
from my cabin and give it to your king as a present of friendship from Ming.”
With tears all running down his face, Percy limped to the cabin, found the strangely familiar vase
and held it gently. Suddenly, he was sucked into the vase again and THUD-back in the museum.
“May you rest in peace!” Percy mumbled.