Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 -1 2019 | Page 144

The next day, when he was eating his tasteless breakfast after the ship had set sail, a sailor rushed in and
screeched anxiously, “The creature has disappeared!”
“What-t!!” exploded Dad.
Zheng Le was terrified. He then steadied his breath and admitted to Dad, “I was the one who let it escape
and I’m sorry...” Le then explained every single thing.
Dad murmured with new understanding, “We’ll have to ask the ship’s artist to present of the drawing of the
deer to the Emperor. It will not be easy.”
Back in China, Zheng Le’s father presented the dazzling drawing of the long-neck deer to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, here is a present from our travels… the long-necked deer! Forgive us as the creature
unfortunately got away from the ship,” Le’s father apologized.
“How dare you,” the Emperor admonished, “You exchanged ten jade flowers only for a useless picture.
Bring the creature in the picture to me tomorrow or I will execute you!”
The colour of Zheng Le’s face drained quickly as fear sucked out his very breath.
“I’m the one who should be execute! I helped that deer escape. My father’s innocent!” Le stepped
out and confessed, as he sobbed out his story, “I’m sorry...” Le ended as he wholeheartedly apologized for
his actions.
After listening, the Emperor was moved with compassion and announced, “ I pardon you. You did
the right thing.”
And that was how a picture of the long-necked deer ended up in the palace during the reign of
Emperor Yong Le.