Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 1 | Page 30

The New Tale of the Ming Treasure Voyages
Korean International School, Mok, Chelsea - 8
“HELP! HELP!” Zhen He was drowned. Thousands of voices were calling from the stormy sea on the
Ming Treasure Voyage to India. All the men were drowned but luckily all of them together with the
treasures they brought from China were floated towards the shore one by one.
When they woke up, they found their jewels sparking like diamonds on the shore. Nobody had any idea of
where they were until Zhen He laid out his leather map. It was India! So the fleet gave some of the treasures
to the King there. The King was so pleased and decided to invite Zhen He to his Sultan Palace to have
dinner together. There was a huge feast on the golden plates, however Zhen He did not feel well during
the party. He told the King, “I am sorry, we better leave now because I am not feeling well and I don’t
want to infect you”.
The King ordered his vizier to take him to the public bath to take a hot bath with some India spices. The
spices were known to have a healing power and the King thought that it would be the best medicine.
During the bath, Zhen He felt a bit better, and he said to himself, “Awesome! The spices must be working
and I must bring some back to China!” After that, he said to the King, “Thanks so
much ..Arc…Arc….Archooo!!!” The King knew that Zhen He must have caught a cold, so he asked his
pretty daughter dressed in fine silk with veil to prepare some India herbal tea plus some ginger for him. After
drinking, he felt much better and prepared to say goodbye to the King to continue their voyage. While they
were leaving, the King invited Zhen He to marry the Princess and he accepted delightedly because the
Princess was so pretty and caring.
So Zhen He, the India Princess and the fleet continued their journey to their next stop. Unfortunately, on
their way to Africa, they got another obstacle. A gigantic tsunami approached. The fleet tried to change
direction of the ship to turn back to India but it was already too late! The water tornado damaged the ship
with a little hole and sea water started seeping into the ship. Luckily there was a little naughty child called
Tau-Tau crept into the ship when they set sail. Tau Tau was the only one in the ship who was brave
enough to dive into the ship body to block the leaking hole to save the entire crew. Everyone cheered and
clapped their hands like a long procession of parade when they landed Africa safely.
The fleet gave the African King their treasures and the King was very pleased. The King asked Zhen He if
he would like to marry his daughter. Zhen He said, “Thank you but I am not worthy for your greatness
because I had a very beautiful and caring wife already!” the King understood and they became good friends
forever…