Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 -1 2019 | Page 118

New Tales of the Ming Treasure Voayages
Good Hope Primary School cum Kindergarten, Yim, Charlotte - 11
I think I definitely made a mistake of going through the beautiful portal that the scientist made. “Take me to
ancient China — Ming Dynasty, year 1400,” I said, as I stepped through the portal.
Look, I know what you are thinking. The whole thing was just supposed to be an elaborate trick. Surely, it
wasn’t supposed to actually work…or so I thought. Boy, was I wrong! How did I know if this thing really
had the strength to take me back to ancient China? Stepping inside the time portal literally meant travelling
back time to 1400 in ancient China, and that required strength and indomitable spirit. I soon realized that
the decision to step through was not clearly thought out, as I had forgotten almost everything, I learnt from
my history classes – especially the stuff about the boring wars. However, I did remember something to do
with a pirate voyage sent by the Emperor from that period which I wanted to find out more about.
I got up and peeked through one of the coloured windows, and I saw the emperor giving orders to a group
of people. Unfortunately, some of the emperor’s warriors saw me peeking through the window. They
pointed at me and yelled thunderously, “Stranger! Assassin!”
“Oh no!” I thought, “The emperor might catch me and I may never return back to the real world ever
again! What if —” My thoughts were interrupted by the Emperor, who was in front of me before I noticed.
He spoke, “Ah, I guess you are also interested in joining the voyage! These pirates are going to travel to the
seven countries to give each of them a present: either silk, gold or other valuables that I have packed and
loaded for them. I believe you are interested in such an odyssey, aren’t you?” He winked and smiled at me.
“Your Majesty, I am very honoured! Yes, I’ll go!” I said, thinking of all the great voyages I might have.
“Very well. Go on now, we haven’t got all day!” said the emperor.
I have a happy scream in my mind because I couldn’t believe what just happened. I couldn’t believe I was
going to join the mighty China warriors around to seven lucky countries and hand them their gifts.
Moreover, I was delighted because this seemed a much better way for me to complete my history
homework.
With great excitement, we sailed across the vast oceans. There were a few countries which were very nice,
yet wished to refuse our gifts. However, we insisted as we were given a challenge to travel around the
world. Sometimes, there were some countries which were kind of rude. They accepted our gifts and just
ignored us. Some tried to attack us as well. It was a good thing we brought some warriors to fight the
soldiers sent after us.
The most remarkable and memorable voyage had to be the one when we went to U.K. The Queen of
England was very kind and offered us a ride for us back to China on her maiden ship. We of course thanked
her for her generous offer and instead gave her some precious items and some silk. She was very surprised
and said “May God bless you! You are very nice! I’m sorry to hear I cannot give you a ride back to China,
but I will certainly remember you and will never forget you!”
That is when I realized the deep meaning of “One will feel more blessed to give than to receive. “This
experience was surely my greatest treasure. At our school, our School Theme this Year is “Seek Your
Treasure”, so it would seem that this was to be my treasure and serendipity during this voyage with these
pirates. Soon after this part of the surprising voyage, a portal opened up behind me. The Emperor appeared
again and I told him that I was grateful for this opportunity, and I hoped to join them again on another
History Class voyage. With that, I turned around, and stepped through the portal before it closed.