Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 1 | Page 94

The Magical Violin
Victoria Shanghai Academy, Lee, Erin - 8
Finally back to China! thought Zheng He. As he stepped into the Golden Palace to attend the
ceremony arranged by the Ming Emperor to celebrate the triumphant return of the Ming Treasure Fleet, he
heard a clang. He knelt down and picked up a miniature model of a violin that made him think back to the
moment that made his journey unforgettable...
It was a normal day out at sea. But suddenly, the wave began to roughen. Zheng He closed his
eyes as he tried to steady himself. Just as the wave began to calm, a powerful force sucked him into the
water…
Zheng held his breath as he tried to swim. Suddenly, he realized he could breathe underwater. He
also found that whenever he swam, he would hit his head. At last he knew where he was. He was in an
underwater prison. He felt around the room until he bumped into something and he knew it was not a
rock. “Who are you?” It said.
“I am Zheng He. Who are you?”
“I’m Violet,” whispered the girl. “I was brought here by a big storm. The only thing I have here is
my magical violin.” Just then, they heard some heavy footsteps approach them. They looked through the
tiny window, terrified as the 10-foot shadow went past them.
Violet drew out the violin from her bag and began playing. A sweet melody drifted out of the
prison and reached Bubble, the smartest swordfish in the ocean. In a split second, Bubble arrived and tried
to use his pointy sword to unlock the prison door. As they were about to celebrate, the giant sea monster
appeared! Violet immediately played “The Flight of the Bumblebee” (a fast, rhythmic piece that was her
favourite), hoping to attract every single fish in the ocean to rescue them. Without any disappointment, a
troop of fish arrived. Zheng He picked up a big seashell and blew into it. As intended, the fish saluted him
as their leader! Zheng He commanded the troop to enter the month of the sea monster and keep blowing
bubbles. The monster expanded and expanded.... Suddenly they heard a POP! The sea monster had burst
and shrunk into a giant sea turtle. Everyone was very grateful to them and then decided to make Violet their
new ruler. Violet happily accepted and as a token of thanks, she gave a miniature model of a violin to Zheng
He. He had then continued on his journey...
Suddenly, a tap on his shoulder interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see an official waiting.
“Zheng He, the ceremony is starting. The emperor has invited a famous musician who says she is the ruler
of the Aquatic Empire.” The music began to play, and the fast, rhythmic piece that had once saved his life
echoed through the palace. That’s got to be Violet! thought Zhen He.