Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 1 | Page 71

Ming Treasure Voyages
St Stephen's College Preparatory School, Lam, Natasha - 9
Hi, I am Li Ming, a slave from the Ming Treasure Fleet. Here is my story about my journey.
The first thing I did was I carried gold, silk and other precious items to the boat. After we finished loading it
with the precious items, we sailed off into the sea.
The first country we went to was Korea. We came at the perfect time because we saw the beautiful yellow,
orange and red autumn leaves slowly fall from the trees. It was the most extraordinary thing I have ever
seen! But after a few hours we had to leave.
This time the waves were furious. We could not even steer the bout properly because of the waves. Finally
we reached Malaysia. At first we thought no one was there but then a person popped out behind a rock
with a bow and arrow. Then we know we had to have a war. We took our weapons and started to fight.
After a few hours all of us got so tried and we ran back to our boat.
Finally, we reached India. Indians were so joyful and caring. They helped us heal the wounds from the war.
When we were in India, we also learned their unique culture.
Once again we had to leave. This time the sea was clam and peaceful on the way to Africa. We also met so
many sailors on the way.
Later that day we did not know where to go. Then I saw land as I was looking out of the boat! Suddenly
before I could say anything, I heard a shout and the shout was from the island I just saw. I did not hear what
they shouted but I thought it was a bad sign. When we got to the island we were welcomed very nicely
with some flowers and their handmade chocolates. They let us stay for a night. Then we said our one
goodbyes and thank you to them and we sailed off into the sea.
Later we hit something and the next thing I knew was the boat was sinking! Everyone started to panic
because we did not have those mini boats for an emergency. Our captain said we have to swim to shore and
walk back to china.
Later that day it was beginning to get dark and after all that swimming everyone got so hungry. We were in
the forest and all we could find were some fruit we had to eat fruit for dinner. After a few days we got tired
of eating fruit but I had to eat it to survive. We had been traveling by foot for weeks but we still had not
arrived at china.
2 months later we finally arrived! Everyone was so happy we made it back to china. I told everyone the
great journey I had. I know I did not go to the end of the world but it still was an exciting journey.