Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 -1 2019 | Page 99

The Parrot Who Saved the Day
Dulwich College Beijing, Liang, Ryan - 10
A wash of crimson illuminated the atmosphere, spreading a spectrum of red through the sky, crescendoing
the diamond-tipped waves into blood-shot brilliance. A variety of birds soared gracefully across the
horizon. One parrot, distinguished from the others, swooped down from the sky and landed on Captain
Zheng He’s shoulder.
What was this? Who was this? This … was me .
It all began on a normal school day. When I entered the building, I realized that the first lesson was library,
my favourite. So, I strolled into the cavern of books with the class and immediately, we scattered across the
library. The shelves were abundant with stories, nearly overflowing onto the marble floor. I scanned the
shelves for an intriguing book. Eventually, I found it - The Ming Treasure Voyages .
I lifted the dusty cover, anticipating a story. But when I opened it, a bright, blazing light blinded me, the
world beginning to spin out of control; what was happening? Shelves collapsed, novels and reports scattered
the floor and the library began to whirl uncontrollably until...
Everything was silent.
I looked around; I was on a ship. I was on a person’s shoulder, who was looking into a mirror. However,
realization hit me when I glanced into the mirror. I was a … parrot.
So, there I was. A parrot. Captain Zheng He’s parrot on an ancient, Chinese ship.
“Stop daydreaming!” Captain demanded to a startled, filthy young boy, interrupting my thoughts, “Scrub
the deck!”
“Sorry, captain...” the boy anxiously mumbled, careful not to exasperate the captain.
As he dragged his feet while mopping the floor, he noticed me staring at him; I was still wondering where I
was. Perched on Captain Zheng He’s shoulder, I glanced at the ship I was on – the crew paced around on
the deck, life rings hung from the side of Ming 88 and the mast swayed gently in the warm breeze.
“Wang Jie Luo,” Zheng He said, with me perched on his shoulder, “Come over here!”
“Coming, Captain!” Wang Jie Luo replied. He was Captain Zheng He’s most trusted general.
“Make sure everyone is on duty. No messing about!”
“Aye aye, Captain!”
All was calm.
But that was when the shot rang out.
“All hands on deck!”
The command from Captain Zheng He caused sudden mayhem, as pirates onboard their menacing ships
were suddenly within sight.
Havoc broke out. Panic flooded the Ming 88 , screams of terror ringing in my ears. The loud clanging
sounds of swords filled the ship, as the pirates began walking the plank over to the Ming 88 . I opened my
beak, to shout, “Stop! Calm down!” But instead, what came out was Squaawk! Squawk Squaaaaawk!
Zheng He gave a violent jerk and his hands covered his ears from the deafening sound, his sudden
movements sending me plummeting towards the floor. I flew up and witnessed a ship full of fighting and
destruction. I knew this was going to be a long battle.
“We are the pirates!” A voice boomed over the cacophonous clanging of swords, “The pirates of
Alagonakkara from Ceylon! And we will NOT be defeated!”
It was the king that refused to stop, that refused to respect the authority, that ignored Emperor Yong Le’s
orders; King Alagonakkara.
“Justice will be served, King Alagonakkara.” the captain replied, amidst the battle, “Just you wait.”
At this moment, I decided that King Alagonakkara had gone too far – to attack the Ming 88 Fleet and
attempt to loot us. So, I tried to stop him. Instantly, I flew into the air. Staring straight at King Alagonakkara
standing triumphantly on the lead ship of his fleet, I soared up into the sky and plunged at him, talons at the
ready...
I struck King Alagonakkara, my razor-sharped wing piercing his eye. “Owww!” King Alagonakkara
winced, instantly putting his hand to his face. Pleased, I flew back to Zheng He and landed on his shoulder.
“Good job,” the Captain whispered into my ear.
Meanwhile, onboard, chaos raged on. That is, until the opposing enemy stopped the fight.
“Stop!” King Alagonakkara commanded, still grimacing from the pain, “We surrender!”
The noises stopped. All the screams, all the swords clanging against each other, all the guns firing; it all
stopped.